by Lauren J. Shanard DDS, AAACD
 
Have you ever considered setting a new life goal, making a career change, or doing something completely different within your profession, and then talked yourself out of it? We have all done this. The most common excuses include not having enough time, too much risk, or the fear of falling flat on our face! Quite frankly, we love our comfort zone. So why would any sentient being ever attempt something that has the potential for failure?

Here’s why: Change is exciting and it helps us grow. We know this to be true. With change we find new ways of looking at old problems and new ways of accomplishing tasks. We become optimized. The most difficult realization is learning that many roadblocks in life are self-made.

"Change is exciting and it helps us grow."

As dental professionals, we are programmed to desire accomplishment, both in our professional and personal lives. However, every accomplishment starts with a single decision to take action. The decision literally takes the brain five seconds. That’s it! So if you have a desire or urge to pursue Accreditation, or perhaps a leadership role in the AACD, listen to it. You are one, five-second decision away from a different life; a life filled with renewed confidence and energy for your profession. Make the decision, and then get a move on!

 
Begin your Accreditation adventure at the 37th Annual AACD Scientific Session, in beautiful Aurora, CO, where an entire conference day is devoted to Accreditation. Then throughout the remainder of the conference, there are amazing lectures and hands-on workshops in which you can learn all the steps for treating the required case types in a supported learning environment with the BEST of the BEST educators. If Accreditation is not for you, there are lectures on the hottest topics in dentistry today; digital dentistry, implants, airway and sleep apnea, Botox, pink esthetics, practice management, and everything in between. There are inspiring options for everyone. Plenty of time is set aside for fun too!
 
I hope to see you there!