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Does running your dental practice feel like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle?
Between managing a team, ensuring patient satisfaction, meeting financial targets, and navigating regulatory requirements, overwhelm can sneak in and take the joy out of your work.
I spend a lot of my time listening to my own clients (and their managers) bemoaning the fact that there are never enough hours in the day and that the “to do” list and in-box never seem to empty
So, as we start another year, are we all doomed to continue pedalling furiously around our very own three-ring circuses?
Here's the truth: overwhelm isn’t a sign that you’re failing—it’s a natural response to trying to do too much at once.
Let's look at some practical strategies, inspired by the insights and resources from The Extreme Business community, to help you regain clarity and control.
1. Acknowledge and Name the Overwhelm
The first step in managing overwhelm is recognising it. Often, we push through, thinking it will pass, but ignoring it only makes things worse. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and name the specific sources of your stress. Is it a staffing issue? A financial worry? A lack of time for strategic planning? Identifying the root cause helps you understand what you’re up against.
2. Simplify Your Focus
One of the most common traps for overwhelmed Owners and Managers is trying to tackle too much at once. Instead, ask yourself:
What are the three most important things I need to accomplish today?
What is the one big win I want to achieve this week?
Prioritise ruthlessly. As I often say, “pace not race” - just focus on the next step.
3. Outsource and Delegate
Overwhelm often arises when we hold onto tasks that others could handle. Take a hard look at your workload and ask:
What can I delegate? Identify tasks that your team members can competently manage.
What can I outsource? From marketing to payroll, there are experts who can take these off your plate.
Remember, as a practice owner, your job isn’t to do everything—it’s to ensure everything gets done.
4. Build Systems to Reduce Chaos
Overwhelm thrives in disorganisation. Streamline your operations by creating systems and processes for repetitive tasks:
Use automation for patient communications, appointment reminders, and financial reporting.
Implement checklists for daily and weekly tasks in your practice.
As I teach my clients, well-documented systems empower your team and free up your mental bandwidth.
5. Revisit Your Vision
Overwhelm can cloud your sense of purpose. Take time to reconnect with your “why.”
Why did you start your practice?
What impact do you want to have on your patients and team?
What's your end game?
When you ground yourself in your vision, it becomes easier to filter out distractions and focus on what truly matters.
6. Prioritise Self-Care
Too often, dental professionals neglect their physical and mental health in the pursuit of excellence.
Schedule downtime just as you would an important meeting.
Use mindfulness techniques to stay present and reduce anxiety.
Get regular exercise and enough sleep to recharge your energy.
Embrace my philosophy of SNEF – sleep, nutrition, exercise and fun, to create balance.
Your well-being is the foundation of your practice’s success.
7. Seek Support and Guidance
Overwhelm can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Share your challenges with a mentor or coach who understands the unique pressures of dental practice ownership.
Join a community of like-minded professionals for encouragement and advice. https://www.coachbarrow.com/the100
As you know, “a problem shared is a problem halved.”
8. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Finally, let go of the need to have everything perfect. Celebrate your wins, however small, and remind yourself that progress matters more than perfection.
Overwhelm doesn’t have to control your life or your practice. By simplifying your focus, building systems, and seeking support, you can turn chaos into clarity and reclaim your passion for dentistry.
Remember, you’re not just building a successful business—you’re creating a life that works for you.
Let’s keep moving forward—one pedal at a time.
Replace the unicycle with a nice, steady three-wheeler and give the flaming torches to others.
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