Out of the Zone

Well, we have left the Twilight Zone (at work)... We haven't had too many patients in the last couple of weeks and the reaction to that has been varied by each of the staff members. I am usually the CALM one. But, since I am responsible for the schedule and meeting production goals, I have been stressing out. The doctor is usually the one who is super stressed and contemplating a career change -- maybe I shouldn't be a dentist, maybe I'm just not any good at this, wah. wah, complain, complain, life is awful, etc. -- even though he's been in practice for over 20 years and he is a phenomenal dentist (spoken by a true dental-phobic who has let him do major procedures on herself). However, instead of being whacked out, he's been totally calm and planning major purchases/improvements to the office. Of course, since I also pay the bills, I have been "concerned" (read, "freaked") about our finances, as well. He just kept saying, "just give it time -- it takes time to see results -- I'm comfortable with the new way that we are doing things -- and other positive, upbeat remarks that are usually heard from me!!!"

Then, yesterday, I was doing October's month-end statistics and realized what I really knew all along -- we're doing just FINE!!!! We had a great production day, so that helped, too. I guess the hardest thing is that ever since we had a consultant come in in September, the focus has been on meeting our goal. That is, don't forget about the doctor's production goal. Oh, yeah, by the way, did you know that the doctor is supposed to meet his production goal. every. day. And did I mention that the doctor must meet his goal or the practice is clearly not going to make it??!!

There is a reason that I did not go into a commission-based career. I do not function well under that kind of pressure. There is no excitement in cold-calling. I don't thrill over a large payoff when there has been nothing but drought for many days/months. Anyway...

I think that I have learned a very valuable lesson -- at least I hope I learned it. Don't take responsibility for things that are outside of your control (I can't "make" people schedule -- even if they do have cavities and need to have something done). Do your job to the best of your ability. And let God bless the work of your hands. I prayed that He would and He did!!! We are getting a bonus for how well our team performed over the past couple of months! I feel very blessed and also vindicated. The consultant said that we were only collecting 80% of our production (which would be very, very bad, indeed). I have actually been collecting 100% all year and now our whole team is getting a bonus based on collections!!!! Yea!!!