Create Your Dream Dental Practice: The Power of Visioning and Imagination
For a young dentist setting up a new practice, it can feel like a giant leap into the unknown. There are a hundred questions: Where will my practice be? How do I design it? How will I build a team and attract patients? But before you get overwhelmed, let’s step back to where it all starts: your imagination.
One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is something you already have – your ability to visualise and imagine your ideal practice. Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, said it best: “Begin with the end in mind.” In other words, before you physically build your practice, you first must create it in your mind. Everything we build – whether a business or a masterpiece – begins as a vision.
Imagination is one of our human gifts, to be able to put it to work dreaming of a future is something quite incredible. Whether it’s with a business coach who can guide and catalyse your thinking like our team at Pinnacle or if you take time out to do the hard work by yourself, you are going to have to construct your practice in your head as the first step.
Start with a Big, Bold Vision
We encourage our clients to dream big, not just imagine what your practice would be like when you first open but at 5 years, 10 years and at its peak just before you retire and sell the business. What is the end point, a specialist practice, small corporate or changing dentistry in the UK? Don’t be afraid to dream big. Even if you can’t figure out every detail right away, your mind is starting to build a blueprint for the future.
You will extract even greater value by making you dream as real as possible, including your feelings. Imagine the first day you open, how do you feel, what do you see, how does your practice smell, what sounds do you hear? Now do the same for your last day, the day you retire when you look back at all that you have created. How do you feel but also think about how you have made you patients feel, your community, your team and work colleagues?
Science Backs You Up
You might be wondering, how does imagining help me build a practice? The truth is there’s a lot of science behind how visioning works.
- Increased Motivation: When you imagine a clear and exciting future, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical that boosts motivation. This neurochemical boost drives you to act toward your goals and helps you believe that you can achieve them.
- Priming Your Subconscious: When you repeatedly visualise your dream practice, you prime your subconscious mind to work towards it, even when you’re not actively thinking about it. This is part of neuroplasticity, where repeated thoughts form new neural pathways, making it easier to take the steps needed to succeed.
- Clarity and Focus: Your vision activates the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in your brain, which filters out distractions and helps you zero in on opportunities that align with your goals. Some people call this the Law of Attraction, but it’s really your mind helping you see opportunities that can make your dream a reality.
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The belief that you can achieve something increases your chances of success. When you believe in your vision, you approach challenges with confidence. Conversely, if you doubt yourself, you’re more likely to hesitate or self-sabotage. Your vision sets the tone for how you act – and success follows.
In essence, imagining your dental practice tunes your mind and body into the actions, decisions, and attitudes that align with that desired outcome, making it more likely to happen.
Opportunities Are Everywhere – If You’re Open to Them
I do not believe in being lucky, I believe that when you are thinking in the right way, you see and make opportunities that move you towards your goal or dream. Numerous times in my life I have stumbled across a book, article or a person who has helped me at a moment of need.
Sometimes, you’ll find solutions in the most unexpected places. I remember when I was searching for seating for my patient lounge. I couldn’t find anything that fit my budget until; while casually shopping in Bath I went into a Timberland store. I noticed some stylish leather modular seating. A quick conversation with the owner led me to the fact that the shop had originally been a Bally Shoe shop, and they had inherited the seating when they took over the store. I then tracked down a Bally store to get a number for the head office When I contacted them, I was informed they were refurbishing a branch at Kendals in Manchester and had 12 black leather seats available if I was interested. I acquired these at a significant saving over buying brand new and they looked great in my patient lounge for many years. It might seem like luck, but it’s more about being tuned into the possibilities around you.
Create the Future You Want
The key to building your dream practice is visioning. By taking the time to imagine every detail of your future, you are rewiring your brain to make decisions that align with that vision. Every step you take brings you closer to making it real.
So, start today. Take a moment to imagine your ideal practice. Dream big, and don’t shy away from the details. Write it down. Picture how it will feel to live that dream. Because once you can see it, you’re already halfway there.
Here at Pinnacle we are here to help you every step of the way from developing your ideas to launching and building your dream dental practice……..