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Set an Ironman Goal—For Your Life and Your Practice by Dr. Howard Farran, DDS, MBA

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Set an Ironman Goal—For Your Life and Your Practice 

by Howard Farran, DDS, MBA, publisher, Dentaltown magazine

Back in 2013, I decided it was time for a big, audacious goal—one as hefty as my waistline. I was sedentary and out of shape, and knew I needed to change. So, I signed up for the Arizona Ironman triathlon. Yep, a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon—on a single day. Was I ready? Absolutely not. But that’s the point of a goal, isn’t it? To stretch you, challenge you and transform you.

The Ironman is held in Tempe, Arizona—a place near and dear to me. I earned my MBA there in 1999 and worked just a few miles away in my dental office in Ahwatukee. The November event’s gorgeous weather makes it the perfect backdrop for such a grueling test of endurance. But make no mistake: Ironman’s strict time limits are no joke. You must finish the swim in 2 hours and 20 minutes, the bike ride within 8 hours and 10 minutes, and cross the finish line by midnight.

So how did I go from couch potato to Ironman medalist? By hiring experts. And along the way, I learned some lessons about motivation, accountability and what it takes to succeed—not just in Ironman races but in life and business, too.


The importance of a coach (or two)
In dentistry, we all call ourselves “doctor,” which comes from the Latin docere—to teach. Well, I needed some teaching, so I hired trainers—two of them, both seasoned Ironman veterans. They showed up at my house every morning at 5:00 a.m. for three years, whipping me into shape. For swimming, which I quickly learned was much harder than I thought, I hired a third trainer. Without their guidance, I never would’ve made it out of Tempe Town Lake alive—let alone through the chaotic, elbow-filled melee of 2,000 swimmers vying for the same space.

Trainers, consultants, mentors—they’re like training wheels. They keep you steady and guide you through the tough parts. But eventually, the best performers—whether athletes or business owners—learn to motivate themselves.


Greatness comes from within
Here’s the thing: trainers can teach you the rules of the game, but playing with heart is all on you. They can get you moving, but intrinsic motivation—your drive to succeed—is what keeps you going long after the training sessions end.

It’s the same in dentistry. You can hire the best dental consultants to optimize your practice—and I’ve hired some incredible ones over the years—but they can’t want it more than you do. If your office is underperforming, the first place to look isn’t your staff, your spouse, or your location—it’s the “man in the mirror.”


Your practice ironman
Running a successful dental practice is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, discipline, and the willingness to adapt and learn. Think your practice is bloated, inefficient or falling behind? Set a big goal to fix it! Hire consultants, invest in your team and focus on delivering exceptional care.

I can tell you this: every dollar I ever spent on a dental consultant came back to me—and then some—within the same year. That’s a no-brainer ROI. The best part? Dentaltown offers incredible resources and practice management consultants, including this year’s Townie Choice Award winners.


A call to action
If I can go from sedentary to completing three Ironman races, you can reach your goals, too. Whether it’s transforming your health, your practice or your life, the steps are the same: set a goal, commit to it and take action.

Thinking about your own Ironman moment? The 2025 Arizona Ironman is scheduled for November 16. Make it your New Year’s resolution. Or, if your practice needs a boost, start by visiting Dentaltown and find the perfect trainer for your needs. Change starts with the person in the mirror. You’ve got this! 

 

Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
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