The biggest mistakes dentists make: Never taking a vacation
Based on his extensive experience with dentists over the past 30 years, Dr. Roger P. Levin has authored a new book entitled The 31 Biggest Mistakes Dentists Make. His premise is simple. As he says in the introduction, “We can learn from our mistakes. But isn’t it better to learn from other people’s mistakes?”
Following is an excerpt from the book.
Related reading: The biggest mistakes dentists make: Lending money to family members
Mistake #29: Never taking a vacation
Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. As practice owners, dentists have everything on their shoulders. For this reason, some younger dentists refuse to take a vacation. They believe they can’t afford it, but they couldn’t be more wrong.
Vacations are necessary. They allow you to come back refreshed and revitalized. I’ve met a number of dentists who have never taken a vacation. This strikes me as counterproductive to being a good leader. Stepping away from the practice for a prolonged period of time (at least a week) gives you perspective on where you stand and where you are going.
Even if you just stay home, you have altered your normal routine. You are away from your team, people with whom you spend more time than your family. You get to sleep in late or stay out late, if you so choose.
Practice ownership can be all-consuming. Even when you’re not at the practice, you’re still there, thinking about what you need to do when you arrive the next morning. A vacation gives you a break––not only physically but also mentally and emotionally––from your daily routine.
Take a vacation. You deserve it.
Free Whitepaper: Tired of waiting for things to get better? Find out how a Practice Analysis can give you the answers you need to make the changes you want. Download Dr. Levin’s free whitepaper “How to Increase the Income from Your Practice” by clicking here
