As the days grow longer and the sunlight lingers well past dinner, the itch to trade in the hum of fluorescent lights for the warmth of the sun becomes hard to ignore. You might catch yourself daydreaming of hammock afternoons, mountain hikes, or the simple joy of sipping coffee on a quiet patio. Yet, woven into the fabric of summer is the balancing act we all face—between work obligations and the irresistible call of the outdoors.
Yes, the truth is that most of us are not yet at a point in our careers where we can take the summer off to spend at the beach or in the mountains. One day my friends, one day.
How do we enjoy all that summer brings, while being productive and supporting our business?
- Plan for it. Every year I hear the same thing. The week of Stampede is not a great time to be open due to the number of cancellations. It’s true. On January 8th our patients are in the post-holiday slump, funds are tight and 6 months from now seems like a great time to take care of that crown. Then 6 months arrives and its smack dab in the middle of Stampede week. Priorities have shifted.
How can we prevent this slump? By paying attention to the annual trends in our schedule. Based on where you are demographically and geographically, there are likely times of the year when the schedule slows down or ramps up. It should no longer be a surprise! Maybe you decide to close for Stampede? Or take a week off during the first week of September? Bring in an RDA temp for the crazy month that is December?
Knowing these trends and planning for them prevents the months that are challenging to pay the bills, and the months that are a struggle to find room for the demand. - Book a staycation. We all know that in Canada we can have snow at any time of the year. While a trip to the sunny south during the middle of the winter is appealing, consider taking some time to enjoy what our summer has to offer. If kids are in your life, it’s a perfect time to spend some quality time without the pressures of school and sports. Maybe you’ve wanted to explore the mountain trails. Leave the weekends for the tourists and venture out on a Wednesday. A staycation can be just as rejuvenating as a trip away…and you get to sleep in your own bed.
- Reward your team. Christmas parties and Christmas bonuses are valued and often expected. Consider surprising your team with a summer activity. For the dare devils in the group there are many ways to enjoy COP in the summer months. If your team is a little more low key consider a patio lunch or a backyard BBQ. I’ve learned that unexpected rewards for the team are appreciated more than those that are expected.
- Prepare for the fall. Is there a new software you’d like to research? CE to catch up on? Systems you’d like to implement? I often hear dentists saying they don’t do any of this in the summer because of the team being away on holidays. I get that, but many of the tasks we can take care of don’t require 100% attendance. Good systems should be easy for people to follow when they return. CE is something you can do on your own. Consider using the summer as a time to catch up and plan for the fall. Take care of a few tasks on your to-do list and then reward yourself with a fun weekend with your friends and family.
Dentistry can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be! Reach out today to learn how Tayden Consulting can help with the systems so that you can enjoy your summer.
Our team of Dental Consultants at Tayden Consulting Inc. specialize in providing
on-site coaching to create the optimal experience
for your patients, and the most efficient systems for your team.
Contact us today for a free consultation! We look forward to meeting you.