Are you investing in your dreams?

I read this empowering message on a dental hygiene forum that moved me in so many ways.

Read the message below:

"After talking with another hygienist this week, I realized that for over 20 years I have been working extremely hard to build someone else's dreams. Not only have I been the hygienist, I have been the consultant, the motivator, the person who brain storms and offers suggestions on increasing new patients and how to retain those patients. I have lifted the doctor up when numbers were down and counseled fellow employees. I have lost sleep when things at the office were not going well. All of this I have done without asking for anything in return. Then when I leave that office, I have nothing to show for all of that hard work!

I believe that the vast majority of hygienists are people that give freely to others because we naturally love people and want to help. I think we need to be careful not get so involved in building someone else's dream that we forget to build our own.

From now on, this hygienist will be giving 110% to building her own dreams!"- Richelle Welch, RDH

At the time of writing this blog, there were 439 likes for this post. Richelle, spoke about the sad reality of what most hygienists feel and experience. It's what I've felt too -- which is why I'm on a mission to take control of my goals and dreams. It's what we all want -- to build for our own dreams, to wake up every day content that we gave it our best, that we lived fully, and we left no stone unturned!

I recently had the privilege to speak with my colleague from the Midwest. She is such a shining star in our industry and I love her enthusiasm for our profession. She mentioned the changes I recently made in my career. We talked about my decisions and we shared our hopes and dreams for the future. I couldn't help but explain to her that I would have not had the courage to make those changes if it wasn't for the dissatisfaction I felt in my own personal career. It would have been easier to stay status quo. Change requires hard work! Investing in your dreams can be scary! But when you get to the place where you feel you have nothing to lose and you have the support from the people that matter -- it gives you the boost you need to give it a good try.

My favorite motivational speaker Brendon Burchard said, "never let your small beginnings make you small-minded. Have vision beyond your circumstances."

How many of you have felt this way? How many of you are building dreams for someone else? When are we are going to say enough is enough? When are we going to give 110% towards building our own dreams? Let's begin this conversation now and continue it! It is my mission to empower and inspire hygienists to think beyond the prophy. Whether that be through speaking, writing, or vlogging. I appreciate all of you for allowing me to share my voice and supporting my message along the way.

I hope we all rally together to support one another. We can't do this alone. Invest in yourself and soar to places you've never dreamed of!