How to Build Your Perfect, Stress-Free Day in 3 Easy Steps

David Rice, DDS

“Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment”

-Deepak Chopra

I’m guessing like me, you know plenty of dentists and students who believe they’d do greater things if they only had the time. They’d dive into their community. They’d show up to events. They’d follow through with the people they’ve met.

I get it. I’ve felt totally strapped for time. I’ve been so busy I didn’t even know where to begin. Hours turned into days. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. And before you and I know it, 10 years have passed.

When you’re in it, it’s apparent that time is moving too fast and you feel like each second isn’t long enough. But the repercussions and effects of lost time aren’t really felt until time has passed and you wonder, “Where did it all go?”

So here’s a little sage advice that took me too long to learn:

• Being present in the moment drives more success and joy than being stressed about the lack of time you perceive you don’t have.

• Leveling up that presence in the form of joining and participating in a community force multiplies your success and joy.

• Jumping in and doing it when you absolutely believe you couldn’t possibly make it happen will reveal a potential you didn’t know you had.

Let’s break those down.

Being Present In The Moment

There was a time I’d look at my “to-do” list for the day and think, no problem. I will make it happen. This was empowering.

But after a few years of denial, failing to recognize that I’m a slow learner – I realized I always bit off more than I could chew, believing that I could get more done in a day than feasible. This was a discouraging epiphany.

Once I accepted the idea that we all have the same 24 hours in a day, my very wise wife taught me to aim for work/life wellness. That’s when I developed a strategy to stay in the moment. It’s called scheduling. We do it all day with patient care in practice. We do it as students with class and clinic schedules. When we do it with our lives in general, we create a series of focus times that allow us to stay in the moment.

Here’s a typical day for me. Think about how you can apply it to you.

• 7:15 AM: Wake up.

• 7:30-8:30 AM: Family walk with our dog, Gibbs. Our focus is being present with each other. We talk about yesterday’s top 3 wins and the 3 wins we want for today.

• 8:30-8:45 AM: Coffee and buffer time. Buffer time is critical, friends. It helps keep us on schedule.

• 8:45-9:00 AM: Shower. I know you’re thinking 15 minutes is crazy. Don’t think about my time as you do this. Build your time.

• 9:00-11:00 AM: Attack the one task I must accomplish this morning.

• 11:11:15AM: Buffer.

• 11:15 AM-12:30 PM: Coaching calls with dentists we work with.

• 12:30-12:45 PM: Buffer

• 12:45-1:30 PM: Lunch. So yes, on my best days, I have an hour for lunch. On my worst days, I have buffer time and still stay stress-free.

• 1:30-3:00 PM: Attack one task I must accomplish this afternoon.

• 3:00-3:15 PM: Buffer.

• 3:15-4:45 PM: Virtual meetings with partners.

• 4:45-5:00 PM: Buffer.

• 5:00-7:30 PM: Family time.

• 7:30 - 9:30 PM: Is either west coast catch up time, be present in the community time, or family time continues

LEVELLING UP WITH COMMUNITY

As you’ll see in my daily schedule, I have scheduled time for community. Friends, this is relationship-building time. It’s brand development time. It’s peak performance time.

As you look at what community means for you, here’s what I’d recommend you consider:

• Select one main local community you want to be involved in. This does not, and dare I say, should not be a dental thing. Pick something you love. When you truly enjoy the community and the people involved, it won’t be work. It will be engaging, empowering, and transformative for your success and joy.

• Select one main dental community. This can be local. It can be regional. It can be national or international. In today’s virtual world, we are truly all connected. The key is to find “your people” and make sure they are top 2%ers! Finding people who challenge you to be your best because many of them are already considered the best is critical. When you make time, your results need to be on point.

• If you’re like me and you become a community junkie, stay true to your one community and open your mind to connecting others to your community or to other communities you’ve heard amazing things about. Also, and this will challenge some of you, just as you highly recommend other communities that are amazing, when someone asks about a community you know isn’t healthy or going to help them –politely share it. Few things are worse than someone sharing a bad experience with you. Take a stance!

Jumping In Right Now

There are two types of people I’ve met over the years. Those who make it happen and those who make excuses. I promise you the former type is far more successful and joyful than the latter. I know you’re busy. I’m busy. I know you’re overwhelmed. I’ve been and yes, I still have moments of overwhelm. That said, I’m not smarter than you and I’m not faster than you. You can do this!

Next Steps

You’re here so I’m guessing you like Dental Entrepreneur. Dive deeper! Reach out and ask how you can be present in this community. When you need help building your perfect day and schedule, reach out. My contact info is below. I work with students and dentists every day. I’m happy to give you some time and show you the way.

Together We Rise,

David Rice, DDS, is on a mission to improve our profession by leading the next generation of dentists to grow successful lives and practices. The founder of igniteDDS, Dr. Rice speaks to over 35 dental schools and residency programs a year on practice building, team building and wealth building. Dr. Rice is a private practitioner, educator, author, and mentor who connects students, young dentists, and professionals from diverse dental-related businesses, “fueling passion beyond the classroom.” ignitedds.com