Matt Bynum, DDS
Why are so many people jealous of what others have, what others do, or even how others actually do it? I don't understand it. You control your own destiny. You control your own success. You control what happens to you — nobody else, but you. So if it is you who controls all that happens to you and for you, why would it matter what someone else does? I mean, so what if the dentist down the street does more cosmetic cases than you? So what if the practice across town does a million dollars, and you don't? The question should not be, "What if?" Instead, the question should be, "How can I?"
Too often, we place blame on those around us when things don't go the way we planned or the way someone else does it. Instead of looking in the mirror and judging what we see, we look around us and point fingers at people we've "heard of" or people we've "seen." We have no earthly idea what these people are about because we don't actually "know" them. This happens with concepts and philosophies, as well. Maybe there is talk in your study club about neuromuscular dentistry or a CR position, and maybe because others in your respective groups have dismissed them, you do the same. Have you personally investigated either of these topics? Have you learned what either stance is all about? What would it hurt? So maybe you spend a little money advancing your education. You just took an active part in stimulating your brain to think and form an opinion for yourself. You listened, you read, you interpreted, you questioned, and you decided. What a novel concept!
It's that time of year when everyone and their brothers want to know how you did last year, and it's that time of year when almost everyone who asks or answers lies. Why? Are you a better person because you made more money? Are you less of a person because you worked fewer days than someone else? Who cares? Remember, you control your own destiny. If you want to work more or less, do it. If you want to make more money, do it. Just don't criticize someone else because he or she does it differently with different results.
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a friend who had posted his collections from last year on a particular forum for all to see. It wasn't done to fly in the faces of those who aren't doing the level of production he is, rather, he was excited about his accomplishment. He wanted to share it with his friends and people who might understand his feelings of self-worth. The reactions were mostly positive, but a few were either disgusted or angered that such blasphemy would even be posted. Are you kidding me? What an incredible carrot to dangle in front of us rabbits before we venture into the rabbit hole. Just when you think you have something special, someone comes out and shows you they have something bigger, brighter, faster, and newer. That's what keeps you pushing — if that's what you want.
In this profession, we have room to disagree, and we have room for improvement, but we have absolutely no room for criticism and finger pointing without first having researched the subject in question. Be proud of others' accomplishments and emulate those who have what you desire. Omer Reed once said, "If someone is doing it, it's possible it can be done." Eliminate jealousy and anger from your life, and try to maintain a positive aura about you.
Remember this — when you point your finger at someone or something, there are always three others pointing right back at you. Think about it.
Dr. Matt Bynum lectures internationally on various aspects of aesthetic and reconstructive dentistry, practice management, personal and practice motivation, and team building, and has published numerous articles on these subjects. He is a clinical instructor and featured speaker at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and is currently co-director and co-founder of the "Achieving Extreme Success" lecture series. Dr. Bynum maintains a full-time private practice in Simpsonville, S.C., emphasizing aesthetic and restorative dentistry. Dr. Bynum may be reached at (864) 297-5585 or by email at [email protected]
