It seems intuitive that clutter and disorganization contribute to stress. Science backs up the need for orderliness and organization when trying to reduce stress, improve mood, and support healthy choices.
Considering this, how does your office look? Your car? Your home?
The busier we become, the less likely we are to keep physical and mental things in their proper place. Searching for misplaced items wastes time and energy, and a disorganized schedule can lead to missing meetings and appointments. The stress caused by mental and physical clutter also contribute to poor diet choices, poor quality sleep, and a negative attitude.
Tips for Keeping Stress at Bay
Because the holidays are a particularly stressful time, I want to provide you with some tips to help keep you organized over the next few months. Remember, reducing stress in your environment will not only keep you more motivated and happier, but those around you will feel the relief, as well.
Don’t overcommit – Saying yes to a full clinical schedule, all family parties and programs, and trying to administrate your practice leaves zero time for rest, downtime, and self-maintenance. Especially during November and December, don’t pack your calendar full of obligations. Schedule a few hours each day to defrag your brain, either at the gym or reading a novel, whatever your preference. You also need time every week to handle the overflow – paperwork, phone calls, emails, and the like. A bulging schedule causes stress, burnout, poor sleep, and crankiness. Avoid becoming the Grinch by keeping margin in your agenda.
Delegate and hold accountable – You have employees and family to help support you at work and home. No one person, however strong and capable he is, can do it all. Within reason, delegate office responsibilities that do not require your overseeing. This may mean scheduling time to train others to take over some of your current duties. Training is time consuming, but in the end, if it means freeing you up, it’s totally worth the investment. Once an employee is trained, tested, and proven to be effective, hold him responsible to perform the duties assigned (and compensate accordingly to keep motivation high). The same can be done at home. As kids grow, they can take on more responsibility, but they must be held accountable. The system of delegation and accountability produces confidence and pride in those to whom we delegate.
Keep your personal spaces organized – In the front and back office, in your car and at home, tidiness will go a long way toward minimizing stress. If you have not already done so, hire a cleaning company for the office, and hold your employees accountable for maintaining a clean office. This works at home, too. Don’t have time to clean the car? Is your family too busy to keep up with household chores? Hire help. The expense will seem small in comparison to the stress of leaving things undone, cluttered, and out of order.
Seek More Help
If you feel like your personal life is taking a hit due to stress and disorderliness at your practice, it’s time to call in expert help. As a dental consultant with 24 years’ experience working in a dental office as practice administrator, as well as co-owning multiple dental practices, Jennifer Pearce has unique insight on the best practices for optimizing workflow and communication in the office. Simplification, structuring, and creating systems can help any dental practice become less stressful and more efficient – and efficiency always increases profitability.
You’re reading this blog, so you are obviously looking for ways to improve your business. For expert help, call Prosperity Dental Solutions at 817-975-4576 or email [email protected].
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