Business
What Can You Do With Your DASH? Embracing Change to Make Your Life More Meaningful Callie Ward
H
ave you ever thought about the DASH? You know, that little symbol between the day you were born and the day you die. It represents your life, your impact, and the blessings you’ve received. It’s a powerful reminder to make the most of the time we have. For me, the idea of the DASH became even more meaningful after experiencing multiple losses in my early 20s. It made me realize that life is too short to leave things unsaid, undone, or in a mess. It ignited a fire in me to live with purpose and make every moment count. One of the biggest changes in my life came when I found out my ex was cheating on me while I was expecting our second child. It was a painful and challenging time, but I refused to let fear paralyze me. I likened it to having a huge tire blowout on the road of life. I didn’t know how to change the tire, but I figured it out and got back on the road. There were no guarantees that I was on the right path, but I was moving forward, and that’s what mattered. The other reason the DASH holds special meaning for me is how I met my now-husband at my boys’ daycare. It was love, it was work, and it was a blessing. Fast forward 25 years, and we now have three beautiful grandchildren. Our grandson started calling me DASH, and I absolutely love it. It fits me perfectly, especially considering my passion for helping doctors and teams
14 Fall 2023 Dental Entrepreneur
find their purpose and feel fulfilled in their work. But let’s talk about fear for a moment. Fear is a liar, as the Christian country song goes. It keeps us stuck and prevents us from making the changes we need to grow. I’ve learned that fear can actually be a motivator for me. It ticks me off enough to push through and prove it wrong. After all, resisting change rarely leads to growth or improvement. To move past fear, I’ve found that planning and faith are key. I made sure to have my ducks in a row and a backup plan in case things didn’t go as planned. I had faith in my abilities and the drive to succeed. I didn’t listen to the fear of “what if” or how I would survive. I listened to my gut telling me that I could do it. Relationships and networking have played a crucial role in my journey. I have mentors, thought partners, and coaches who have helped me overcome my fears and push through. Their confidence in me has been a driving force. One client even shared how much of an impact I had made on his practice and life, further reinforcing my decision to trust my heart and take the leap. Integrity has always been important to me. I couldn’t continue coaching others to find their passions and integrate them into their work if I wasn’t doing the same. So, I took a big leap and started my own consulting business, Dash Dental Consulting. The fear was immense, but the feeling of satisfaction and DentalEntrepreneur.com
