Welcome back to Part II of David’s story. I hope you enjoyed reading how he got started in Dentistry, and I’m sure you’ll find inspiration in how he evolved over the years. David was born in the North East of England near the border of what he describes as “sunny Scotland.” He practiced dentistry for almost eleven years, and in 2014, he made the decision to step out of dentistry. He turned a part-time career, practicing as a counselor and trauma therapist, into a full-time vocation. He also moved to Melbourne, Australia, where he now resides. Me: What have been...
Who is ready to meet the next Lolabees guest? Today I present my first interview with a very inspiring person from the dental community. He has a great story to share and some very valuable insights that I know will help you. In fact, he has so much great information to share that I have divided it into 3 parts. The first describes his story and background, the second shares his challenges and triumphs, and the third offers a few tips and a few fun facts about him. Meet David. David was born in the North East of England near...
We all know the pressure to stay the course once we have made a huge commitment to something. Changing is hard work, and it’s inconvenient and uncomfortable. Plus, the unknown makes it scary. It is always easier to do nothing, and sometimes that little extra bit of inspiration is all we need to get us going. Over the years, I have had a few guest bloggers that shared their own stories of change on Lolabees. People loved reading about others’ experiences. Some of the remarks were: It is very refreshing to hear that you have done something else with your...
Tell me there has been a time in your life when you desperately wanted change, but doing it wasn’t so easy. It actually happens to me quite often. As much as I love change, sometimes it’s hard for me to get it going. I was recently reminded of my habit to resist change, as my gym membership ran out this week. It’s not just any gym membership. I’ve been going to this gym for 16 years, and it’s time. I’ve wanted to make this change for months, actually years, but it wasn’t until recently that I became committed to taking...
Life loves to test us with different challenges, doesn’t it? It happens every day. Sometimes we roll with it and don’t even notice, and other times it really throws us for a loop. Recently I got caught up in one of life’s little tests. A few weeks ago, I was at a stop sign turning left. The driver behind me felt entitled to ram past me because he was turning right. There was not room, so he deliberately sideswiped the right rear of my car. Then, as he passed, he had the audacity to give me the stink-eye, as if...
I recently had very similar discussions with a current client and a prospective client. They both know they need to change something in their careers. One has a strong sense of what she’d like to do next, and the other just knows she doesn’t want to continue in her field anymore. What they share in common is a desire to change from within, as opposed to looking externally for the magic pill that will make all their challenges go away. They recognize that this is the key to making lasting and positive change. One expressed that she knew she could...
How do you know when it’s time to throw in the towel? As football season is back upon us, I’m going to talk about some old news. It was 8 months ago that we watched the Patriots pull out the ultimate comeback. It was so inspiring. They were so far behind, a win seemed impossible. At this point they could have easily given up. But they didn’t. And they won. It was a beautiful reminder that we should always keep fighting, no matter what. It’s true. In fact, it’s one of the most true things we know. Journeys can be...
In my last post, a Lolabees Friend shared a wonderfully thoughtful comment that got me thinking about a lot of things. One thing in particular stood out. At the close, he said: All I can say at this moment — 4 weeks after taking a break from dentistry — is that just now I am beginning to feel like I can take a breath and relax. Really live. Pursue some interests I truly have a passion for. And for the first time in a long time, say “I really don’t care.” His experience is not surprising at all. What strikes...
There’s an interesting cultural phenomenon that happens in dentistry, and I wonder if it happens in other fields. There is an unspoken rule that we all have to love our jobs and have to constantly show the rest of the world how happy and successful we are. It’s a lot of pressure, especially when some of it feels like a lie. Many dentists spend their whole lives hiding the real struggles we experience. Sure, we can bitch and make jokes with our colleagues about some of our annoying challenges, but we can’t be real about just how much we may...
If you’re looking for more inspiration to create what you want out of your career, here is a fantastic article about women who have changed careers after age 30. Okay, I may be a little biased because I’m one of those women featured in this article, but check it out for yourself! I’m honored to share a moment with an organization that celebrates and champions women. Want to know a little more about SWAAY? Here is an excerpt from their online magazine: SWAAY is a ground-breaking digital publication that harnesses the style and glamour of today’s business-minded woman. At SWAAY...
