No matter how much you do in a day, it always seems like there is plenty more that can be done. This is true for everyone, but it’s especially true for dentists. After all, not only do dentists have to see to patients
each day, but they also need to find time to organize their practice, educate themselves about the industry, manage employees, keep track of finances, and so much more.
While there are plenty of conventional ways of staying productive, such as keeping task lists or having a routine schedule, these methods don’t work for everyone. Instead, sometimes it takes switching things up a bit and getting a bit unconventional.
Here are 7 unconventional tips to help dentists stay productive while in the office.
Wake Up Even Earlier
One of the first things that you can do to become more productive is wake up even earlier than you already do. Sure, it may not be enjoyable to wake up before the sun rises. But if you truly want to get things done that others won’t, then you could likely use that extra hour or so of time to do it. Once you get into a routine of waking up early, your body will adjust and you’ll be able to do so without feeling the affects of fatigue. It’ll also allow for you to fit more into your day, before other people have even woken up or started their own day.
Change Your Working Space
Working in the same place every day can get boring. In addition, it may also become something that feels incredibly routine, which could limit your productivity. If you are a dentist, consider having multiple rooms in your office that you work on patients. In some cases, you may even want to consider having multiple locations. For example, if you have two offices in different parts of town, you can easily adjust the operating hours of each so that you can see clients and continually feel like you are working in a new environment.
In addition, make sure that your office for filing paperwork or doing managerial tasks is separate from the one that you do all of your dental procedures in.
Music Works Wonders
Music will help your mind wander and help you focus on the task at hand. Therefore, consider having music playing throughout your entire office. Not only will music help you focus, but it could also help to ease your patient’s nerves. If they are eagerly worked up or nervous about visiting the dentist,
it may make it difficult for you to quickly see to them. However, if they relax, it’ll be much easier for everyone to be more comfortable.
Have The Right Technology Available
There is nothing more frustrating than having outdated technology. Not only will this slow you down, but it could also mean that you have to do something three or four times before you get it right. Instead, make sure that you have all of the right technology and all of the support that you need for it. Technology can certainly make your dental practice run smoother and more quickly, but that’s only if everything is working properly.
Avoid Being Distracted
Sounds easy, right? Well, for some people it’s not. However, it’s important that you do your best to avoid being distracted if you want to be your must productive in the dental office. For example, avoid having a TV on with sports highlights or news. It may help you stay up-to-date with current events, but it’ll take your attention away from the tasks at hand. In addition, you may also want to consider leaving your cell phone out of place until you really need to use it.
It’s been shown that it’s incredibly difficult to actually “multitask” like some people claim to be able to do. In fact, some studies have demonstrated that people don’t actually multitask, but rather they shift their minds to be more focused on one project in particular. However, you will be able to accomplish tasks much more quickly and be more efficient if you simply put your mind to one thing and avoid being distracted by others.
Take A Break
It never hurts to let your mind rest for just a few minutes every few hours. If you try and work the entire way through, your body and mind will slow down as you go through the day. However, if you take the time to quickly recharge the batteries, you’ll be much more productive for the long haul.