As if dental school wasn’t hard enough… You now get to add a hefty dose of virtual learning to your day-to-day. You still get to pay top-dollar to do it. Super fun! Or is it? Guys, whether you call it perspective or mindset, you and I can’t stop the COVID Wave … but we sure can learn to surf. The challenge is this:
Some of us inherently see the glass half full.
Some of us inherently see the glass half empty.
Now, if you’re inherently that half-full dental student, celebrate. This is going to be easier for you. If, on the other hand, you’re inherently a half-empty student, here’s a thought… It doesn’t matter if the glass is half full or half empty at all. YOU, have the power to refill it.
Mindset is a muscle. It has to be worked routinely. It needs to endurance train for the four-year haul. It needs to strength train for exam week bursts. So just like you hit the gym, the pavement or yoga class, you and I need to constantly break a mental sweat. That said, even though we know staying physically fit for some is genetically easier, we also know that elite athletes constantly work out in the gym and in the kitchen. They fuel their success! Our minds are no different. So… let’s talk neuroscience. The science on surviving this new COVID curriculum looks just like the science on leveling up your mindset for anything.
- The obvious COVID precautions. Yes, you need to blow off steam. Use your head as you do.
- Get your Zzzs in. It’s a performance multiplier every great athlete knows.
- Build a daily routine and stick to it. Make sure within it, you have time to work your mindset.
- How do I do that? • After you finish this article, jot down three things that get you fired up.
- Tell two friends what they are and the daily you want to implement.
- Ask them to join you, or simply check on you and hold you accountable.
- Set a daily alarm in your phone to remind you.
- Start your day with one of those three.
- Miss a day, but don’t miss a week.
- If you’re a gunner, end your day with one of those three. You cannot overwork this muscle.
- Repeat
I know dental school can be a grind. I also know dental school can be four of the best years of your life. What you get out is all about what you put in. Wake up every day and choose your mindset.
David Rice, DDS, is on a mission to improve our profession by leading the next generation of dentists to grow successful lives and practices. The founder of igniteDDS, Dr. Rice speaks to over 35 dental schools and residency programs a year on practice building, team building, and wealth building. Dr. Rice is a private practitioner, educator, author, and mentor who connects students, young dentists, and professionals from diverse dental-related businesses – “fueling passion beyond the classroom.” www.ignitedds.com/user/david_rice/