Frequent readers of the Director’s Message may have noticed that I am becoming a strong advocate for empowering dental professionals in their relationship with money; tracking office production; managing the numbers, salary awareness, etc.
A connection one of my clients made is how her not tracking her money (finances and office production) had been limiting her own success on various fronts. She realized she had let “other” things fall through the cracks too, and she had been “abdicating her own self-care.” She recognized how powerful paying attention to numbers is, and it is having a huge impact on her professional and personal decisions. She even rejoined Weight Watchers (at a whole new level of commitment.)
When I receive these positive comments, I know it is because of their willingness to begin to look at and track “numbers” and participate in their own money management. So I proudly declare that “I am in a relationship with numbers.” Believe me, it has not always been the case.
Now, some of you may be thinking, “What’s the big deal?” Of course, you track your finances, income and/or production. What you may not realize is that, for many people, they do not keep track of their money — personally or professionally.
I highly encourage all of you to look are your relationship with numbers. Tracking is very simple once you get started. You do not have to use complicated spreadsheets to track your production or even all your financial resources. Trust me, I am not a mathematician!
If you have a relationship with your numbers, you can look at them and ask:
- What story are they telling?
- What story do I want them to tell?
- How do I feel about these numbers?
- Where am I losing connection?
- Where are they inspiring me?
- What am I avoiding?”
Being in a relationship with your numbers and establishing good money habits will change your life.
If you are thinking, “It is not about the money for me,” stay tuned for my next message. For now, I’ll say, ‘What if it was about the money?”
Kristine A. Hodsdon RDH, MSEC
Director, RDH eVillage
Kristine’s Disclosures: Sign up for a free webinar: “5 Keys to Cleaning up Your Practice’s Financial Arrangements.” Kristine’s website is http://www.kristineahodsdon.com, and she is a practice management consultant and trainer.
