2017 – It’s a Wrap
The holidays are an interesting time of year. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Rohatsu (look it up) or another holiday, we all are wrapping up the current year and beginning to think about the new year on or before January 1. You may have a process or a traditional way of doing this. Reviewing your 2017 goals versus what you actually accomplished and then setting new goals for 2018 is a typical way of viewing things.
As I look back at 2017, I go through the names of the doctors whose practices I sold and understand a bit more about them. I look at the doctors’ names of the practices and, amongst other things, I think about why they sold their practices. I see names of doctors who sold their practice because they are ready to retire – this is the typical reason for selling. But I also see the names of doctors who sold their practice because they were diagnosed with cancer and could no longer practice. I sold four such doctors’ practices this past year. I also see the names of two doctors, both under the age of 42 who were planning to practice dentistry into retirement, whose practices I sold because they got nerve damage in their hands and wrists. There are also several doctors who sold because they were tired of managing a practice – dealing with insurance companies, staff management and managing their landlords.
Not long ago, I had a conversation with two doctors in their late fifties who both had recent health scares and had family members and friends who passed away from cancer at early ages. This hit home as my Dad passed away in July of 2017 from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and my brother was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And as these doctors ask me questions about selling their practices, I remind them that just because you sell does not mean you’re done with dentistry. You can still work as an associate dentist in another practice, teach at the dental school, or volunteer at a clinic. I let them know that I’ve never had a dentist tell me that they sold too early. In fact, many have come back and said I wish I would have sold several years ago because they are loving their freedom of being able to come and go as they please, fill in for vacationing friends, or work in a clinic when they get the itch to do dentistry.
As you celebrate your holidays, try not to think too much about work. Also, as you set your goals for 2018 and do an assessment of your career and life, don’t forget to think about what’s important to you. For some, it may be that dentistry takes priority over everything and it’s your passion. For others, maybe it’s time to turn to the next chapter and enjoy what you have – family, friends, time, giving back, etc. Whatever direction you go, know that we are here for you and happy to provide a free consultation anytime you would like. We’ll even buy the coffee!
OMNI would like to wish you and your family Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza yen iwe ha heri, Happy Rohatsu, and CHEERS to the New Year and best wishes for everything you desire in 2018!
As I look back at 2017, I go through the names of the doctors whose practices I sold and understand a bit more about them. I look at the doctors’ names of the practices and, amongst other things, I think about why they sold their practices. I see names of doctors who sold their practice because they are ready to retire – this is the typical reason for selling. But I also see the names of doctors who sold their practice because they were diagnosed with cancer and could no longer practice. I sold four such doctors’ practices this past year. I also see the names of two doctors, both under the age of 42 who were planning to practice dentistry into retirement, whose practices I sold because they got nerve damage in their hands and wrists. There are also several doctors who sold because they were tired of managing a practice – dealing with insurance companies, staff management and managing their landlords.
Not long ago, I had a conversation with two doctors in their late fifties who both had recent health scares and had family members and friends who passed away from cancer at early ages. This hit home as my Dad passed away in July of 2017 from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and my brother was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And as these doctors ask me questions about selling their practices, I remind them that just because you sell does not mean you’re done with dentistry. You can still work as an associate dentist in another practice, teach at the dental school, or volunteer at a clinic. I let them know that I’ve never had a dentist tell me that they sold too early. In fact, many have come back and said I wish I would have sold several years ago because they are loving their freedom of being able to come and go as they please, fill in for vacationing friends, or work in a clinic when they get the itch to do dentistry.
As you celebrate your holidays, try not to think too much about work. Also, as you set your goals for 2018 and do an assessment of your career and life, don’t forget to think about what’s important to you. For some, it may be that dentistry takes priority over everything and it’s your passion. For others, maybe it’s time to turn to the next chapter and enjoy what you have – family, friends, time, giving back, etc. Whatever direction you go, know that we are here for you and happy to provide a free consultation anytime you would like. We’ll even buy the coffee!
OMNI would like to wish you and your family Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza yen iwe ha heri, Happy Rohatsu, and CHEERS to the New Year and best wishes for everything you desire in 2018!