{ outreach in action } Trying to Be SMARTer in 2017 T
hose who know me may have read this headline and chuckled to your-
self, “Hallelujah” or “If there’s anyone with room for a little intellectual improvement, Paul is the man.” But young grasshopper, is it not a sign of wisdom to seek improve- ment?
OK, there’s that word again. Improvement. I’m going to take myself to task over it. You may recall in this column at this time last year, I sug- gested “Improvement” was my chosen theme word for 2016. How did that go, you ask? It would be easy to not offer a response. In fact, I dare to think anyone even remembers my word or has been pining for an update. The focus of that column was not so much my personal endeavors but rath- er it was meant to be a stimulant for you and the MDA membership to consider a theme for your year. Still a fair question deserves a fair answer so I will be vulnerable for my own accountability. Perhaps this will cause you to pause and evaluate your 2016. Even so, the main point will be to share how I and my role in the MDA plan to be smarter in 2017 by making one small, er … uh, improvement.
Upon reflection, 2016 was a satisfying year. I did read more and found myself recom- mending books (check out Mornings on Horseback by David McCollough). I bought a camper and traveled and hiked more. I made solid strides toward some financial goals. Work had more ups than downs. But I also wandered at times. Eating better missed the mark. I stopped a fairly regular exercise habit. I grew a little content with my discontent- ment. And I paid the price. Now I’ve got a steeper mountain to climb and that pesky cholesterol has entered into the equation.
24 focus | JAN/FEB 2017 | ISSUE 1
I’m trying to apply the same approach in my role as Foundation Director. Let’s push the envelope with some SMART efforts and see if we can’t improve. We have the Living the Suite Life winter raffle to benefit both Foundations. This effort runs through February 28 so please consider buying a ticket and helping us reach our $5,000 goal. In April the Dental Well Being Foundation will launch a six month campaign called Wheel into Wellness. The goal is to provide resources and activities that you can use
It’s time to buckle down. But isn’t that what improvement was meant to accomplish?
This is why all the professionals on the speaker circuit tell you to set SMART goals. They need to be Specific, Measurable, Agreed Upon, Realistic, and Time-Based. Last year I thought I might sidestep that gauntlet by choosing a warm and fuzzy word like improvement. This year I’m trying to set SMART goals. I will share one personal ex- ample and a few MDA examples.
My January goal is to complete the Whole 30 food experiment. This is Specific—no sugar, no dairy, no beans, no grains and no alcohol for 30 days to reset your body. It’s Measurable—no slip ups for 30 days. It’s Agreed upon—my wife is a nurse wellness navigator and is my partner in deprivation. It’s Realistic—fighting cancer is hard, this is just inconveniently difficult. And it’s Time- based—30 days. I have knuckled down with some visuals to keep me on track. By the time you read this, my goal will be complete and I’ll be smarter for it. Then maybe I can see real improvement and not just wish for it.
as we attempt to make wellness a member benefit for you, your staff, and your family. Please check it out. We are even giving a new trail bike away at the House of Delegates. There’s always MOMOM as well. Please join us in Joplin in June as we endeavor to pass the milestones of 10,000 patients treated and $5 million in care donated. Another new effort will come in August when we unveil the first ever Foundation Awareness Month, a chance to know and support the programs and people involved with your Foundations. Lastly, I’m even adjusting my blog in an effort to post more regularly.
Will it all be successful? Will being smarter work for me and you? I guess we will know in time but it might be smart for you to maximize your membership and check these opportunities out. Invite a new colleague to join you. Try something different and make 2017 better than ever. f
Send questions/comments for Paul to
paul@modentalmail.org. Access Foundation information at modental. org/foundation and follow his blog at
modental.org/blog.
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