Feel the Burn(out)?
Finding & Creating Community in Unexpected Circumstances
If you’re familiar with the term “burnout” (and no, we’re not talking about those rebels smoking cigarettes behind school and skipping class in the ‘80s 😎), you might be aware that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The term Mental Health, referring to your psychological and emotional wellbeing, usually inspires a whole slew of reactions: from the enthusiastic embrace of those familiar and loving their mental health journey, to skeptics unsure if it’s really something that means anything, to those downright terrified to look inward and acknowledge the beast they’re diligently hiding in their day-to-day lives. We all fall somewhere on the scale, and likely in several different places at different points in our lives.
No matter how acquainted you are with Mental Health Awareness, you've probably experienced its symptoms. After all, 7 out of 10 people experience burnout and the more responsibilities you carry, the more likely you are to experience its effects. Imagine what that’s like for a dental practice owner, carrying the weight of finding success in a practice they have poured their soul and money into while more than a few people’s livelihoods depend on their decisions? (You probably can, since you’re reading this article 😉)
One dentist’s story
You may be familiar with The Shared Practices Podcast and how Dr. Richard Low has helped dental entrepreneurs become successful when building their own practice, but you may not know the voice behind the mic: Dr. Richard Low. He uses his platform to give you all the tips and tricks he learned while building a DSO of 35 offices and running a successful podcast while being a father, husband, and dentist. That’s quite a lot of accolades and what we would call accomplished and admirable – someone we all strive to emulate.
However, behind the scenes "Dr. Low the podcasting CEO" felt like a complete imposter: secretly miserable, depressed, and feeling trapped in a role that didn't suit him. He shared with me, "I didn't recognize myself. The stress and anxiety were slowly causing me to crumple. My family suffered because I wasn't present. I coped in unhealthy, addictive ways. I knew I wasn't pulling my weight and people who relied on me had to pick up the slack."
Ultimately, Dr. Low broke under the pressure and stepped down as CEO. Several months later, he left his business completely. And though he was at his lowest point, he had the awareness and space he needed to figure out his mental health.
"Diagnosis, the right medication, and therapy all helped," he said. "But what ultimately pulled me out of the darkness was the most stereotypical thing a man in a midlife crisis could do: I joined a men's group that promised shredded abs and transformation." 💪
Dr. Low went in expecting to get physically ripped and came out with a newfound sense of purpose. He found a brotherhood that challenged him and held him accountable. He found community. He knew he wanted to give that same sense of accomplishment and freedom from overwhelm to the dentists who were in the same boat. The more he opened up and shared his struggles, the more he realized something:
So many of us are suffering in silence. And we think we're the only ones.
Thus he started Next Level Fathers, a group dedicated to meeting men at their worst and bringing them back to their full potential through connection, discipline, and of course, shredded abs.
A few months later he realized the need on social media for more spaces where men and women in dentistry can open up about their struggles in a supportive, positive environment and started a Facebook group:Next Level Dentist: Rising Beyond Burnout
How do communities help?
If you read last month’s article, you know how much we value community and connection. Communities give us a chance to lighten our load by granting others the opportunity to carry the weight with us. When we are involved in communities, we receive emotional support, belonging, and reduced isolation. There is a reason we feel so much better when we go through a session of therapy, or a heart-to-heart with a friend, and we’re able to verbally process our emotions and sense of overwhelm. Speaking from experience, communities offer that release, as well as a safe space, when I’ve needed a friend, or someone who can hold space while I worked through life’s stressors.
If you’re searching for community or resources on mental health, but don’t know where to start, I’ve asked the S8E8 team for their favorite Mental Health resources:
Community groups
Next Level Dentist Facebook Group
Podcasts
ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka
Brene Brown's "Unlocking Us"
Books
Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, by Dr. Caroline Leaf
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD, by Sari Solden and Michelle Frank
How to Keep House While Drowning, by KC Davis
The Lazy Genius Way, by Kendra Adachi
The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk MD
Our Letter to You:
Running a practice is no easy feat. Budgets, operations, staffing, maintenance, payroll, a million other housekeeping items, and making sure your patients feel like they’ve made the right decision to trust you with their oral health and self-confidence through a smile. You’re carrying a lot, but you are not alone. We see you and we are here with you. Every time we meet a new client, we meet a dentist who cares deeply about what they’re doing and the lives they’re touching. We see people who truly want to change lives.
Your stories are so genuine, and they give us a reason to keep doing what we do. It is our joy to be alongside you and help you succeed – to carry some of the burden that comes with growing your patient base or reaching those who need you most. All we ask is that you take time to see yourself, too. Allow yourself to acknowledge your hardships like you would your patients and treat yourself with the same kindness and empathy you would expect of your team.
Your Story is Worth It, and So Are You.
Warmly,
Constance & the 8E8 Team
