24 Habits for 2024

In the quaint town of Meridian, there was a renowned gardening club that had thrived for decades. Mrs. Thompson, a founding member, often reminisced about their humble beginnings and the steadfast habits that had kept the club flourishing. She'd recount, "Just like roots in fertile soil, habits are tough to break and new ones hard to form!"

The club's success echoed through their cherished annual flower show, where neighbors and enthusiasts admired their vibrant blooms. However, amidst their triumphs, Mrs. Thompson pondered the power of habits and their role in everyday life beyond gardening.

Reflecting on the essence of habits, she often remarked, "Habits, much like the sturdy stems of a blooming flower, hold us steady. Yet, many are inherited, deeply rooted in our past."

Determined to inspire a wave of positive change, Mrs. Thompson decided to lead the club in a new direction for the upcoming year. "Let's cultivate fresh habits," she proposed. "Ones that will enrich our gardening skills and our bonds as a community!"

As a mentor to budding gardeners, Mrs. Thompson aimed to instill a set of habits designed to nurture growth and unity among the club members. These habits were not merely rules but principles to be embraced, discussed, and lived daily.

"Let's plant these habits in our team meetings," she suggested. "To cultivate a garden of accountability and mutual support."

She believed that fostering these habits together would yield a bountiful harvest—trust blooming like radiant flowers, healthy discussions like well-tended soil, and a deeper sense of responsibility as sturdy as the roots of their prized plants.

Her vision was clear: by sowing the seeds of new habits and nurturing them collectively, the gardening club would blossom into a thriving, interconnected community, bearing fruits of shared commitment, engagement, and resilience throughout the year.

With every meeting, they dug deeper into these habits, tending to them with care, knowing that their shared efforts would yield a garden of success—one that not only flourished in their love for gardening but also in their bonds as a supportive and cohesive team.

I found my green thumb a few years back so when I find a garden analogy, I resonates with me!

HABIT #1 APPRECIATE THE GOOD! Start with reflecting on what went well last year. What habits do you have as individuals that you are proud of? What do you do well as a team? How have these good habits benefited you, the team, and your patients? Sit with that for a minute and feel good! Congratulations on having some really great habits!

HABIT #2: LET GO!  In order to make room for new and better habits, you need to make room for good ones. What are some habits that you have, not serving you. Make a list of some of the habits, the behaviors that are not serving you. Habits that break down team culture, break down patient experience? Take that list and release it. Make a commitment to be better, for you, your family, your team mates, and everyone around you. Let them go and make room for more abundance in your life.

HABIT #3: SHARE THE VISION WITH YOUR TEAM! You’ve got a great practice, you have a great team. Your patients love you. You are ready to explode in 2024. You know what  needs to happen and how to get to the next level. Problem is, no one else can read your mind. Does your team know your dreams and aspirations for the practice? And as the saying goes, If you don’t know the destination, any road will take you there. The only way to have your team calibrated and aligned is to develop a detailed vision of the future and share it with them. Don’t share it once. Share it repeatedly. Refer to it often. Use it to steer your practice in the right direction at the right speed and with everyone taking part.

HABIT #4:  SHOW UP ON TIME! Showing up on time is a simple and often overlooked habit, but it can have a big impact on team culture. Here's why it's so important: It demonstrates respect for others. When you arrive on time, you're showing that you value the time of your team members and patients. Being late can be seen as disrespectful and can create negative feelings towards you. It also helps maintain a sense of order and predictability. When everyone shows up on time, it helps create a sense of structure and predictability within the team. This can lead to a more efficient and productive work environment.

HABIT #5: HOLD MORNING POWER UP HUDDLES! Dental team morning huddles are short meetings that are held at the start of the workday or at shift changes. They are a way for the team to come together, share information, and discuss any issues or concerns. Morning huddles are an important tool for improving team communication and organization, and set the tone for a productive day. 

HABIT #6: READ TOGETHER AS A TEAM! Reading as a team can be an important tool for company growth because it allows team members to learn and grow together. By reading and discussing the same material, team members can gain new insights and perspectives that can help improve their work and contribute to the growth of the company. This can be a powerful tool for company growth. By coming together to learn and grow, team members can develop new skills, stimulate creativity, and improve communication, all of which can help drive the success of the company.

HABIT #7: ENCOURAGE FEEDBACK! Encouraging feedback on dental teams is an important way to improve communication, foster teamwork, and promote ongoing learning and growth. By seeking out and listening to feedback from team members, dental practices can identify areas for improvement and create a more positive and supportive work environment. You can create a space for constructive feedback by creating a safe and open environment, Solicit feedback regularly by asking questions, and honor the bravery it takes to provide feedback by following up.

HABIT #8: PRIORITIZE PATIENT EXPERIENCE! Dental practices are so busy and it is easy to get on the hamster wheel of production. However, making patient experience the priority, all day, everyday, is the key to practice growth and profitability. Here are a few important reasons:

1. Patient satisfaction: Providing high quality care and meeting patients' needs and preferences can lead to higher levels of satisfaction and more referrals.
2. Professional reputation: A focus on patient care can help enhance the reputation of the practice and increase the likelihood of attracting new patients.
3. Legal and ethical considerations: Providing high quality care is also a legal and ethical obligation for dental professionals. And most importantly,
4. Patient health and well-being: Ultimately, the most important reason to prioritize patient care is to help improve the health and well-being of patients.

HABIT #9: LEARN AND USE BREATHING TECHNIQUES! Learning and using breathing techniques can have a number of benefits for performance at work and overall health and happiness. It can reduce stress and promote relaxation, it can improve focus and concentration, it can Boost energy, it can promote better sleep, and it can improve physical health.

HABIT #10: MASTER YOUR MORNING! Wake Up With Good Morning Habits. For the last six months I have been implementing The Miracle Morning philosophies by Hal Elrod. The key is planning the night before. Set out what you need to start your positive morning routine rituals.

1. Don't Hit Snooze. Hydrate Your Body. Make Your Bed.
2. Implement SAVERS into your routine. You will be astounded at the benefits just mastering your morning routine will do for you this year!

HABIT #11: JOIN OR START A MASTERMIND! Successful people prioritize collaborating with others. They understand that we are better together! Sharing ideas and expertise: A mastermind group is a forum for sharing ideas and expertise with other professionals. By participating in regular meetings and discussions, you can learn from others' experiences and insights and get new ideas for improving your practice.

1. Collaborating on projects: A mastermind group can also be a place to collaborate on projects and initiatives. By working together with other professionals, you may be able to achieve more than you could on your own.

2. Getting support and accountability: Being part of a mastermind group can also provide support and accountability. By sharing your goals and progress with others, you may be more motivated to stay on track and achieve your objectives.

3. Expanding your network: Joining a mastermind group can also help you expand your professional network. By getting to know other professionals in your field, you may be able to make valuable connections and build mutually beneficial relationships.

HABIT #12: CREATE A CASH FLOW SYSTEM! A dental practice can create a cash flow system and monitor it for success by following these steps:

1. Determine your practice's financial goals: Start by identifying your practice's financial goals, such as increasing revenue, improving profitability, or reducing expenses. This will help you focus your efforts and measure your progress.

2. Create a budget: Develop a budget that outlines your expected income and expenses for the year. This will help you understand how much money you have available to work with and where you need to allocate your resources.

3. Monitor your progress regularly: Review your financial performance regularly, such as monthly or quarterly. Look for any discrepancies or areas of concern, and make adjustments as needed.

4. Seek advice and support: If you're having trouble managing your practice's cash flow, consider seeking advice or support from a professional. They can help you identify areas for improvement and provide guidance on how to address any issues.

5. Include your team in understanding the cash flow system. Train them on the touch points where money is involved so you can maintain a healthy cash flow. Utilize analytics and metrics in this system so that each team member understands their part in the cash flow process.

HABIT #13: DEVELOP A PROTOCOL FOR UNSCHEDULE TREATMENT! When treatment is recommended, and the patient does not schedule an appointment, AND we do not follow up about the need for treatment, what message are we sending to the patient? What does your follow up system look like? Are you dedicating time to contact patients with outstanding treatment, reviewing their chart for accuracy, discussing their needs and concerns as a team, role-playing difficult conversations to improve communication skills?

HABIT #14: REFINE YOUR INSURANCE SYSTEM! One of the most frustrating aspects of a dental practice is dealing with insurance coverage, lack of coverage, delays in payments and so on! Having an insurance system and well-trained team members to manage the system is key to a happy, healthy dental practice. Helping patients to understand their coverage, and how to make important decisions about their care is all about preparation and communication. An effective Insurance system specifies exactly what to do before the appointment, during the appointment and after the appointment.

HABIT #15: ALWAYS BE LEARNING! Dentists have requirements for their continuing education, but are you instilling the importance of continuous education for your team members as well. Here are some ways to instill the importance of always learning into your dental team:

1. Model a growth mindset: Set an example for your team by demonstrating a willingness to learn and grow. Show that you value ongoing learning and are open to new ideas and approaches.

2. Encourage continuous learning: Make learning a part of your team's regular routine. Offer training and professional development opportunities, and encourage team members to seek out learning opportunities on their own.

3. Offer resources and support: Provide your team with the resources and support they need to learn and grow. This may include access to online courses, textbooks, or mentorship programs. Invest in them!

4. Recognize and reward learning: Recognize and reward team members who are actively engaged in learning and growing. This could be through praise, bonuses, or promotions.

5. Make learning part of the culture: Help create a culture of learning within your practice by promoting the value of ongoing learning and growth. This may involve holding regular learning sessions or setting aside time for team members to learn and grow.

HABIT #16: DEVELOP A NEW PATIENT SYSTEM! To develop a system to integrate qualified patients into your dental practice, you can follow these steps:

1. Identify your target patient population: Determine the type of patients you want to attract to your practice. This may involve considering factors such as age, location, insurance coverage, and dental needs.

2. Establish a process for new patient onboarding: Set up a process for welcoming and onboarding new patients. This may involve scheduling appointments, collecting patient information, and explaining your practice's policies and procedures.

3. Train your team: Make sure your team is trained on how to effectively communicate with and care for new patients. This may involve providing customer service training or coaching on how to build rapport, handle common patient concerns, and navigate difficult conversations.

4. Monitor and review: Regularly review your new patient onboarding process to identify any areas for improvement. This may involve collecting feedback from patients and team members, and making adjustments as needed.

HABIT #17: GIVE BACK! I used to be a “Keeping Up with the Joneses'” person. I was focused on the next material thing that would make me feel better about myself. As time went on, I also started wanting what my friends had and sometimes resenting what I didn’t have in my life. It is a negative place to be, and I later did not feel good at all about myself. Once I started helping others – volunteering and seeing how some people live every single day without the basic comforts of home, my perspective changed. The more I started helping others, the more I realized that I am content and happy with what I do have. There are many online websites that can help you find a cause that is important to you and they will list numerous volunteer opportunities in your area.

HABIT #18: PRACTICE GRATITUDE! Practicing gratitude can be a game-changer: it has far reaching effects, from improving our mental health to boosting our relationships with others. Living your life with gratitude helps you notice the little wins—like the bus showing up right on time, a stranger holding the door for you, or the sun shining through your window when you wake up in the morning. Each of these small moments strings together to create a web of well-being that, over time, strengthens your ability to notice the good.

HABIT #19: PRIORITIZE LEADERSHIP DEVELOP! Effective leadership can be a key factor in the success and growth of a dental practice. Here are some ways that leadership can improve your practice:

1. Setting clear goals and vision

2. Providing direction and guidance

3. Helping team members understand their roles and responsibilities and how to achieve results.

4. Building a positive culture

5. Developing team members: Good leaders also invest in the development of team members. 

6. Managing change: Change is a constant in the business world, and leaders must be able to navigate and manage change effectively. 

HABIT #20: SPEND TIME WITH NATURE! There is something freeing and wonderful about witnessing an amazing sunset or getting up early enough for a unique and beautiful sunset. Just as when you were a kid, it can still be fun to go outside and run around in a summer rain shower. There is something magical about nature and the world around us. It’s easy to sometimes get sucked into the technical world. Don’t forget to travel or spend time with nature and remember just how beautiful the world around us can be. It is an instant spirit booster.

HABIT #21: PHONE A FRIEND! I love to host parties and socialize. But when I “don’t have time” for it, I easily get disconnected. It is important for your relationships to stay connected and it doesn't have to be party time to do so.  By calling a friend, you can increase your sense of belonging and purpose, oost your happiness and reduce your stress, improve your self-confidence and self-worth, help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one. Make staying connected a part of your routine this year.

HABIT #22: HAVE FUN! It's important for business owners and entrepreneurs to take a break from the office and do things they enjoy. This can help improve productivity, creativity, well-being, and work-life balance. It's important to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and taking a break from the office can help you achieve this. By setting aside time to do things you enjoy, you can help ensure that your work doesn't consume your entire life. What are the things you enjoy doing? 

HABIT #23: HIRE A COACH! Okay, this is one area I am particularly passionate about! Hiring a coach can be an important investment in the health and profitability of a business. A coach can provide guidance, support, and accountability to help a business reach its goals and achieve success. Here are some specific ways that hiring a coach can benefit a business:

1. Improved decision-making: A coach can help a business owner or leader make better decisions by providing an outside perspective and helping to clarify priorities. This can lead to more effective use of resources and better outcomes.

2. Enhanced skills and knowledge: A coach can help a business owner or leader develop new skills and knowledge that can benefit the business. This may involve training on specific business skills, such as financial management or marketing, or coaching on strategies and approaches that can help the business grow.

3. Increased efficiency and productivity: A coach can help a business owner or leader identify and eliminate obstacles that may be hindering productivity. By working with a coach, a business may be able to streamline processes and increase efficiency, leading to improved profitability.

4. Better communication and teamwork: A coach can help a business owner or leader improve communication and teamwork within the organization. By providing guidance on how to effectively communicate and collaborate with team members, a coach can help create a more positive and productive work environment.

5. Greater clarity and focus: A coach can help a business owner or leader clarify their goals and priorities, and develop a plan for achieving them. This can help the business stay focused and on track, leading to improved performance and profitability.

HABIT #24: DO NOT OVERWHELM YOURSELF! Rome was not built in a day. Go through this list or come up with your own. What can you focus on as a team each month? 

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