Say "Yes" to YOU!

Are you one of those people who has always said “yes” to everyone?

“Mom – will you make a costume for me for tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Dad… can you please help me with this school project?”

“Yes.”

“Honey, I know it’s late but would you be willing to run these errands?”

“Yes.”

While there’s nothing wrong with being the “go to” person, I have one word of caution: Don’t say “no” to you just so you can say “yes” to others.

We can all fall into this trap. We give and give and give of ourselves. Then, we wonder why we’re so drained, depressed and disheartened. We can’t figure out why we feel so exhausted and emotionally removed from life. It’s because we’ve never said “yes” to ourselves!

We need to be good to ourselves so we can be our best for others!

I know, I know. It’s easier said than done. But it’s essential for your well-being. If there’s something you want to do – take a weekend to visit a childhood friend, fix your smile for an upcoming class reunion, join a gym for early-morning workouts – then say YES!

Believe it or not, when you start giving yourself the nod, you’ll actually be more of a help to everyone else.

• Thinking of changing the appearance of your teeth? Check out Smiles by Dr. John R. Gordon, Kansas City.
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Relocating to "Remarkable"

If you were to move to any place in the world, my guess is that it wouldn’t be some drab little town with little to offer except tumbleweeds and cobwebs. No, it would most like be a location that offered you something exceptional, something you couldn’t find elsewhere.

In other words, it would be a city, town or village that was… well… remarkable.

I’d like you to think of your future as if you were moving to the destination of your dreams. One year from now (just 12 short months), if you were to live in your own little “Remarkable”, what would it look like? Would you be enrolled in college? Would you be starting your own business? Would you have a different appearance?

Once you’ve fleshed out your vision of “Remarkable” (remember, this is your private oasis and anything you want can happen there!), you have one responsibility: Get there.

I mean it. If you can dream it, you can do it. But it will take more than wishes to max out your potential. It will take polishing. And more polishing. And more polishing.

Now, believe me, I know about polishing! I’m a dentist by trade and polishing is something that’s done in my office every day of the week! Just as you can polish your teeth, you can also polish your soul. And you have to do it to get to “Remarkable”.

Don’t put limitations on yourself. Envision your “Remarkable” and turn it into a reality! Be passionate. Smile. Inspire others. And keep on polishing, even after you land in “Remarkable”. Because another dream is always around the corner.

• Make every day remarkable. Choose Smiles by Dr. John Gordon, Kansas City, MO.


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What Footprint Will You Leave on Your Customers’ Memories?

July 20, 1969.

The Apollo 11 moon landing rocked the world.

And one image became synonymous with the mission – a single left bootprint embedded in the lunar soil.

Amazingly, because there is no wind to blow it away, no water to wash it away, that footprint is destined to stay there for eternity.

Customer service is like this.

You can leave a good impression, you can leave a bad impression, but make no mistake – the impression you leave is, for all intents and purposes, indelible. It remains long after the encounter has incurred. And it has far-reaching repercussions.

I will always believe it is so critical to provide exceptional customer service. People greatly appreciate it, particularly when it makes them feel valued and respected.

Unfortunately, most customer service is woefully lacking. I know. A recent experience brought that fact home in a big way…

A few weeks ago, I scheduled a flight with Delta airlines. A day later, I discovered I didn’t schedule my flight to the right city. So I called Delta to change my flight.

The person who answered the phone told me, “It is our policy that we charge you $200 per ticket to change your flight.”

Wow.

I have a real problem with this “policy”. Yes, I did make the error in the flights in the first place. Yet the flight schedule was made via computer by me, into their network by me. No effort or energy by Delta was involved – zero dollars in costs.

Not wanting to unnecessarily pay this fee, I asked to speak with a supervisor who told me I could register my complaint at Delta’s website. When I completed the online form, I was told my time had expired. I couldn’t send my complaint without redoing the form.

Now, I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but I did wonder if this was a tactic or pure coincidence? Regardless, it was obvious that transparency isn’t a characteristic valued at their organization.

Back to the story… I wound up changing two tickets, $200 per ticket for their “policy” and an additional $37 for the change in actual ticket cost for different city. The $37 I understood. The $200, not so much.

Delta left a $400 footprint on me and it wasn’t a good one.

Jeff Jarvis ran into a similar service issue with Dell computers a few years back. He had a significant impact on Dell’s financial bottom line when he made his situation known in his blog. He also helped them revamp their service policies and approach.

My question to Delta is this: What did it really cost you to change my flight?

This whole incident does not make sense, especially in this economic climate. They sacrificed a lot. They lost me as a customer. They lost anybody I can convince not to use their airline. The footprint isn’t going anywhere and it’s going to take more than time to erase it.

Take this story to heart and remember – you always leave a mark. Make sure it’s a good one.

Make every impression a positive one. Choose Smiles by Dr. John Gordon, Kansas City, MO.
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Need Some Inspiration? It’s Where You Aren’t Looking!

It’s fairly commonplace to see business men and women reading business publications. Similarly, cosmetic dentists read material related to cosmetic dentistry. And sales people do so with sales and marketing paraphernalia… the list goes on and on.

But I’m here to tell you something – if you aren’t currently inspired to do whatever it is you want (e.g., changing your appearance, start a business, buy a house), it’s highly doubtful that you’re going to find inspiration in the pages of the magazines, books, newspapers and websites you’ve been reading. You need to look somewhere else. You need to find your inspiration in unlikely places, specifically where you aren’t looking now.

I’m talking radical places, too. I’m suggesting you put down the business section of your local paper and read a Dr. Seuss poem instead. I want you to read that whimsical poetry and let your mind run free. I want you to discover something in the pages of Cat in the Hat or Yertle the Turtle that truly motivates you.

Kids’ literature not your thing? Then read a novel you haven’t picked up since high school. Wuthering Heights… A Tale of Two Cities… War and Peace… it doesn’t matter what you choose. It just matters that whatever you pick isn’t something you’re accustomed to reading every day.

Why will this process unlock that part of your brain that holds the key to inspiration? It’s the same reason that when you introduce a new baby into your household your whole perspective changes. You can’t keep doing the same things, because suddenly they don’t make sense any longer. You have new information… so you adapt, you grow, you evolve.

The next time you’re feeling without direction, resist the urge to do what you’ve always done. Try something that will renew your spirits. It just could be the catalyst for great accomplishments.

That’s definitely something to smile about!

When You Selflessly Give, You Truly Live

Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that flashes the phrase: “Commit Random Acts of Kindness”? Sure, it sounds hokey, but there may just be something to it.

Many of the “big name” marketers are huge proponents of altruism. They understand that being a leader carries with it the responsibility to “give back” in meaningful ways.

What was the last unselfish act you performed? (And I do mean completely thoughtful and considerate, as in never intending to get anything in return?)

If you can’t think of an example from the past day or two, it’s high time to start embracing the philosophy that “to give” is “to live”… and vice versa.

See, your life can’t only be about profits. Even if you are driven to succeed monetarily, you still have to give back to others. It’s your duty. You must start making the world around you a little brighter for others, one “random act of kindness” at a time.

Make your significant other a wonderful cooked breakfast when a bowl of cold cereal would suffice. Help a neighbor bring in the groceries (extra points if the trip includes a staircase!) Assist a colleague with a project for no other reason than to make sure he or she finishes by the deadline.

Interestingly, as you commit to this kind of giving, you’ll begin to “get”. I don’t mean simply dollar-wise, either (though that can happen down the road), but in more substantial ways. It’s quite amazing.

Try it yourself for a week. Give of yourself at least three times a day. Start each morning by telling yourself you’re going to give back, and then follow through on your plans. I guarantee you that by the end of the week, you’re going to be amazed at how much stronger you feel.

Taking a Bite Out of History – George Washington’s Teeth

How important is a set of functional teeth?

Important enough for the first American president, General George Washington, to endure a lifetime of discomfort just to be able to enjoy an apple or converse clearly.

During his younger years, Washington began enduring dental problems. At the time, Colonial dentists had few methods aside from extraction to remedy serious concerns; consequently, Washington’s teeth were systematically pulled out, year after year. This necessitated “false teeth” — dentures — to be created for the robust, 6′2″ man.

Contrary to popular belief, the teeth that were made for Washington were not wooden, but were a combination of ivory, gold, human teeth, animal teeth and lead. They also didn’t fit very well, which is likely why every portrait of the father of our country looks dour and somber. (In fact, he was quite gregarious and loved to entertain – in one year, over 600 guests visited his historic home, Mount Vernon!)

Why didn’t he simply remove the false teeth that caused so much pain? The same reason that people today don’t want to go around with visible cavities, gaps in their teeth and chipped teeth – they don’t have to! In Washington’s time, the dentures he wore were state-of-the-art and served a purpose, regardless of the pain they caused.

Fortunately, 21st century cosmetic dentistry offers almost zero discomfort and none of the lifelong trauma that Washington tolerated until his death in 1799. And you don’t have to be a president to afford the latest cosmetic procedures – they’re economical and reliable for most folks.

The next time you’re considering improving your appearance, remember that you’re in good company. Even a Founding Father knew the value of a great set of teeth!

Transparency – A Rare Commodity

“Mr. Cellophane shoulda been mine name,” warbles Amos Hart in the Broadway smash hit Chicago. “’Cause you can look right through me, walk right by me and never know I’m there…”

Certainly, Amos’ transparency is a source of pain for him, but another type of transparency can be a source of serious profitability for dental professionals.

Case in point – the dentist who not only listens to his or her patients but who gives unbiased, clear-cut advice based on those patients’ questions, needs and wants.

Imagine the joy that a client feels when he/she realizes his/her dentist and hygienists aren’t trying to constantly “up-sell” but are being perfectly honest and unambiguous about procedures, plans and pricing.

In this day and age, such transparency is truly rare… which makes it valuable, a true treasure.

Too many dental professionals have bought into the notion that everything they do has to have an ulterior motive or lead to them making a few bucks that very instant. What they don’t understand is that long-term relationships – not flash-in-the-pan “quick sells” – are what will keep a practice afloat for generations.

Be a treasure to your patients – treat your relationship with them as a transparent partnership and reap the rewards.

Enjoy Your Smile--- Everyday!

When was the last time you listened to someone… or were listened to by someone who really mattered?

As humans, we’re all-too-accustomed to filling the air with something, anything. We talk. We whistle. We sing. We hum. We do everything in our power not to listen to the world around us!

Let’s put it this way – isn’t it frustrating when you’re talking with someone and you just know that they’re not paying attention? They’re either a) thinking about what they want to say; b) thinking about nothing; c) thinking about something other than what you’re saying; or d) all of the above. It’s maddening!

And it’s too bad, because what patients deserve from dentists and hygienists, especially those who perform cosmetic procedures, are professionals who can freely open their ears and really hear what’s being said.

I really believe that plenty of dentists and doctors get bad raps because they don’t take a minute or two to really listen to what their clients are saying. That’s a shame!

In my practice, I constantly tell myself I’m not going to spend my time yakking about what I want my patients to do. Instead, I listen to what they tell me, and from there we can build a meaningful, trusting relationship based on a conversation, not a soliloquy. By deliberately keeping my ears open to the true wants and needs of my customers, I have been fortunate to foster partnerships that I know will last.

The next time you hear something and it’s the sound of your own voice, consider that it might be worthwhile to wrap up your thoughts and give someone else the opportunity to be heard.


Dr. J

When You're Smiling...

“Look! He’s smiling!” It’s the moment for which every proud new mama or papa waits. But why? What is so intrinsically exciting about a baby grinning?

Well, let’s think about it from a purely social standpoint. Who are you more likely to want to speak or simply “hang out” with? Someone who is beaming from ear to ear or someone whose face registers discomfort, disgust, haughtiness or sourness? In most cases, it’s the former.

Yet for many adults, it’s nearly impossible to smile without worrying or feeling unattractive. Perhaps they have dark or missing teeth; maybe their teeth are chipped or “striped” from using the wrong type of tooth whitening product. Regardless of the reason, they may want to engage in the friendly act of grinning, but they are literally being held hostage by what they consider to be an unflattering smile.

This is why so many people around the world are turning to cosmetic dentistry.

It’s not just an American phenomenon, either. Around the globe, people are turning to dental professionals to fix problems that have plagued them throughout their lives. And the results are… well, they’re something to smile about!

I’ll leave you with this video. Turn up your volume and enjoy!

Wedding Day Walk

Tomorrow, I get to walk my daughter down the aisle. This is one of the events that we fathers start to dream about the moment we lay our eyes on our new born little girl. I distinctly remember the day, the very moment she was born. My mind started to spin with excitement and anticipation about the life that I had just became responsible for. Her cute little self swept me off my feet. A true wonder of life. Now 31 years later, I’m going to give her away. What joy and happiness. So wish me luck in that fact that I hope I don’t trip, walk out of step, veer off the path or just act like a nut and break down. Oh well, so what if I do. I’m her Dad.

Wish me luck.

Desperate to Smile-!

Desperation is an excellent motivator. George Washington carved out wooden teeth. Can you imagine the splinters? (Actually, recent science has taught us that his teeth weren’t wooden, but they were quite uncomfortable, causing a constant need for him to force his mouth shut because the dentures he wore were essentially “spring loaded”!)

Karen, a 7 year old, packed white bread around her decayed teeth to create what she thought was a beautiful Smile. What’s fascinating is how creative and imaginative we are when we’re desperate.

Cosmetic dentistry is a great solution when you’re you’re being held hostage by your smile. Daily I’m privileged to visit with patients (hostages) who need hope. They want to free themselves so they can flash an engaging Smile. A Smile that “Rocks”! Instead of carving wood or packing white bread, investigate modern cosmetic dentistry.

Wouldn’t it be neat in the mornings, when you’re putting on your makeup or shaving, that you can finally Smile back at yourself?

It’s your turn to enjoy life, stop putting it off. Do something! Call a cosmetic dentist.

John