Doctors are natural-born achievers and good-oriented people.  Setting and reaching goals is what has gotten them where they are and is what drives them to where they are going.  Pursuing goals brings a sense of meaning to their lives, something to live for.  The responsibilities required to achieve these goals seem secondary; but once the goals have been reached, the responsibility of maintaining the achievement becomes the primary focus.  Sobering is the realization that as goals are achieved, more responsibilities are incurred.  As a health professional and goal-oriented person, you have likely experienced the “burden” of responsibility associated with maintaining your achievements.  You may feel like your practice runs your life, for example.  You may feel trapped, like you are on a treadmill, in a tunnel with no light at the end.  What is the answer to lightening your load of responsibility?

Ask yourself this question: are you an “Increaser” or a “Decreaser?”  If you cannot wait to get back to the office Monday morning, if you still enjoy managing and motivating staff, or if you are constantly looking for ways to expand your practice and see more patients, you are likely an Increaser.  On the other hand, if you experience “Sunday-night Blues,” if you find your body is in the practice while your mind in on the golf course, or if you have seriously entertained thoughts of cutting back your time at the practice due to stress and fatigue, you are probably a Decreaser.

Is one better than the other?  Not necessarily, but if you are a Decreaser, chances are there is a lot more joy and satisfaction to be had to do something other than what you are right now.

Decreasers rarely become Increasers, no matter how hard they try to talk themselves into it.  The longer they wait, the worse it becomes.  Making a change is usually the best solution.  Change is not easy for most people, but often, once the burdens of ownership is lifted or a fundamental change is made in the way they manage the practice, many Decreasers begin to enjoy dentistry again. And the more they enjoy it, the more relaxed and productive they become.  Why? Perhaps because they can finally take a vacation without worry or stress.  Perhaps because they no longer spend part of the weekend treating emergency patients.  Perhaps because they can focus on their “quality” patients.  Perhaps because they now have time to pursue other interests.  Perhaps because a change in routine or environment can often lead to a change in attitude.

Whatever the reason, the question you want answered is, “How can I enhance my quality of life?  How can I find more happiness and contentment?”  There is hope.  There are viable, time-tested solutions.  There are practice transition options you may not know about or have considered before.  If structured properly, these options can give you more freedom and less stress.  They can give you more time to explore other types of hobbies, vocations, or avocations.