Positivity…this has been hitting home to me quite a bit lately. Do you consider yourself a positive person? I recently had a conversation with someone close to me that has been going through a lot. She is, I would say, generally, a pretty negative person anyway but is now going through health problems and it just seems quite a bit worse.
When talking to her one day I made the comment that it would be good for her to think positively. She was a bit shocked and said she WAS thinking positively. My initial thought was “positively negative” maybe, but definitely not with a positive outlook.
This got me thinking…how many of us think we are being positive but it is not coming across to others? I started really paying attention to what I was saying and how I said it.
I can be a very positive person and I do try to be. However, I know I get into that negative mindset on occasion, get stressed about things and complain. Have you ever paid attention to what that does to your mindset? It makes you tired, depressed, and not wanting to engage in activities. This is why it is so important to work on having a positive way of thinking. It is not always easy.
I understand that firsthand, but let’s take a look at what a positive outlook can do for you.
A smile is contagious…how many times have we heard that? Especially in the dental field. But it really is! Have you ever noticed when you smile at people, they cannot help but smile back? It is a reflex to do that. The same goes for your mental attitude. When you “kill people with kindness” it makes it harder for them to be unkind to you.
Positivity is not all about the smiling and being cheerful, it is taking life and its challenges with optimism. When you are optimistic you can have greater happiness, health, and success.
You will also see that people who are positive have more energy than those with a negative outlook on things. I don’t know about you, but I can always use more energy in my life. With that additional energy you can reach your goals and achieve better success in whatever you set your mind to do.
When you expel your positivity to others it makes the people around you feel like they matter or that they are doing a good job. What happens when someone feels they are valued? Productivity in the office increases and in turn stress within the office decreases. It is a win-win!
When you are positive with your patients you will see that their stress decreases as well, and they are much more at ease when you are presenting their treatment plan.
Now that we know the benefits of keeping a positive outlook in our personal and professional lives, how do we do it? As we said, it is not always easy so let’s discuss some behaviors that can help you maintain the positivity that we seek.
Smiling and laughter are 2 good ways to stay positive and keep your workplace positive. We discussed smiling earlier, but what about laughter? Some people do not feel it is professional to have laughter in the workplace. I do believe that too much craziness and giggling can be unprofessional. However, a little laughter and enjoying each other’s company is okay and a lot of patients welcome that behavior. It makes the office seem less animatronic and gives it a more comfortable feel.
Another way to spread positivity is to acknowledge other team members and thank them for helping you. You would be surprised how far a simple thank you can go. People like to feel that they are contributing and that their contribution is appreciated. In turn, helping others with their needs is greatly appreciated as well.
Keep the lines of communication open. The #1 complaint we hear in offices is that communication is either not happening or is very sporadic. This makes it difficult for the team to understand what is expected of them and how they can best contribute. When good communication is accomplished in the office, there is a sense of ease and comfort that comes about.
I encourage you to look for the positive mindset that is within you. It will not always be easy, but it is worth it. You will not only improve your well-being, but also that of those around you. Find your optimism and spread that around!
If you need a smile or some help being optimistic, send us an email at info@gtsgurus.com. We would be happy to boost your day and send a little laughter your way. 😊
Janice Janssen, RDH, CFE, Consultant
At age 14, Janice Janssen got an after-school job working for her dentist. Twenty-something years later, she is the co-founder of Global Team Solutions and an expert in practice consulting. Besides hands-on experience, Janice has gained professional recognition for her hard work and commitment to excellence. She is co-author of OMG! Office Management Guide, the “bible” used in GTS training workshops. She is a member of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants (ADMC), and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), which positions her as an expert in educating dentists to deter fraud and embezzlement in their practice.
Janice can be reached at: janice@gtsgurus.com
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