The Dog and The Nail

I was reminded of an old story today, one in which a visitor to a house sees an old man and a dog on a porch.  He strolls up onto the porch and hears the dog whining. He asks the old man:”Why is the dog whining?” The old man replies:”Because there’s a nail underneath where he’s lying?”  “Then why doesn’t he just move?” the visitor asks.  The old man replies:”I guess he’s not in enough pain yet.”
Every orthodontist has something that drives them crazy about their practice. Maybe it’s an employee that isn’t following the plan, or a tough landlord or system or policy you keep having trouble with. It might work itself out and it may not, but it causes you some sort of pain.
You CAN change it. But the question is: Do you want to?
To have the practice of your dreams requires energy and commitment. It doesn’t happen quickly or easily. If you want change, you have the choice to make it happen or to let the pain continue.
Go take that CE course, or let that poorly performing team member go, or have those difficult conversations that you’ve been avoiding. Yes, it will take effort and maybe be a bit uncomfortable, but it will be worth it.
Like the dog from the story, you may be experiencing pain, but it’s not bad enough to do anything yet. But rest assured, by the time it gets to be so bad that you’re motivated to do something, the pain won’t be worth it.
Get up and move off of that nail and get rid of the pain. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Wishing you the best,

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GLENN KRIEGER IS AN ORTHODONTIST WITH 20 YEARS OF RESTORATIVE AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY EXPERIENCE BEFORE HE RETURNED TO ORTHODONTIC RESIDENCY. DR. KRIEGER LEARNED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WELL-DESIGNED PRACTICE POLICIES AND SYSTEMS DURING A YEAR AT THE SCHUSTER CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA, AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF GENERAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES AND INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON GRADUATE BUSINESS SCHOOL’S “DENTIST AS CEO” PROGRAM. HE IS THE HOST OF “THE ORTHOPRENEURS PODCAST”, MANAGES THE ORTHOPRENEURS FACEBOOK GROUP AND RUNS THE ANNUAL ORTHOPRENEURS SUMMIT.