Developing Your Push & Pull Lists
WHAT ARE PUSH & PULL LISTS?
As you consider your future, write down all the items about owning a practice that you are concerned about. Let’s call this your “Push List”. Next, write down all those items that you will look forward to when you work fewer hours or discontinue working. This is your “Pull List”.
Once you have written and evaluated your “Push and Pull” lists, try these tips to create a new life for yourself:
GIVE YOURSELF SOME TIME.
Understand that planning the next chapter in your life is a process. It won’t happen overnight and it won’t happen if you don’t purpose to make it happen. Make a point of beginning practice transition planning now to avoid challenges later.
MAKE A MISSION STATEMENT.
While you are still practicing dentistry, write down how you plan to reduce the number of items on your Push List and grow your Pull List.
BUILD YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL PORTFOLIO.
While it is important to have your finances in place, it is just as important to develop a psychological portfolio, which includes your identity, your relationships, and your need for a sense of purpose.
ASSESS YOUR RESOURCES.
Identify resources that are available to help you adjust to the next chapter in your life. Rely on trusted advisors like your spouse, your CPA, your pastor or a dental transition planning specialist.
FIND YOUR PATH.
As you consider next chapter in life options, think about whether you want to continue to practice dentistry on a reduced schedule or if you want to try something entirely different. Exploring something you have never done before can be a great way to stimulate your mind and make new friends.
MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS.
Make it a point to connect regularly with friends, and join groups or take classes in subjects you are interested in, which will lead to new friends. Men may especially find this helpful since they tend to form alliances based on shared interests and activities rather than relationships.
KEEP YOUR BODY AND MIND ACTIVE.
Not only will staying active increase mood-boosting, stress-relieving chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin, it will also increase your overall health and help ward off illnesses. And like the body, the brain also needs to be exercised to stay sharp and healthy.
By investing a little time into transition planning it is possible to write a great next chapter in your life’s story. The dividends will be highly fulfilling and rewarding in the next phase of your life. If you use the life experiences and strengths that you have developed over the years and redirect those to accomplishing new goals, you will likely discover the happiness and fulfillment retirement is ideally known for.