Showing Up as Your Best Self: Nurturing Patience and Professionalism

In our professional lives, we often encounter moments when our disposition shifts from sunny and bright to bleak and dark, signaling a bad day. Intuitively, we recognize that it may not be the opportune time to ask for a favor or confront a challenge. It is crucial, however, to understand our triggers and resist the temptation to be snappy with teammates or indifferent toward our patients. So, what hinders us from showing up as our best selves? There are practical factors that can throw us off balance. Let’s explore a few of them:

1. Lack of sleep: Sleep deprivation can render us irritable and impatient. It impairs clear thinking and hampers our ability to process thoughts effectively. When our brains are tired, the gears simply don’t click into place. Thus, prioritizing adequate rest becomes vital for maintaining efficiency in our work.

2. Hunger: The discomfort of hunger, with its accompanying headaches and stomach pangs, can amplify irritability and impatience. Being mindful of our nutritional needs and taking breaks to nourish ourselves can help us maintain a positive mindset.

3. Pain and discomfort: Whether it’s a headache or uncomfortable footwear, pain is a formidable distractor. Even if we possess a certain threshold for discomfort, excessive pain can disrupt our focus and throw us off track. Visualize a simple diagram with a horizontal line dividing a blank page in half. Anything below the line is tolerable, but once we cross that threshold, our tolerance rapidly diminishes.

4. Past experiences: Our past experiences significantly influence our present actions and responses. Being aware of this influence can help us approach situations with a fresh perspective, unburdened by negative biases or preconceived notions.

5. Biases: We all carry biases, some of which we may be aware of, while others remain unconscious. These biases can be related to gender, culture, race, or other factors. Recognizing and challenging these biases is essential for fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment.

6. Time constraints: The lack of time often amplifies our impatience. Given more time, we might exhibit greater patience. Understanding this tendency can help us manage our reactions and maintain professionalism, even when pressed for time.

7. Personal affinity: We naturally exhibit more tolerance and patience toward individuals we like. Recognizing this inclination allows us to consciously extend patience to all individuals, irrespective of personal feelings, and treat everyone with fairness and respect.

8. Environmental factors: Temperature can also impact our patience levels. Excessive heat can make us restless and eager to escape the environment, resulting in diminished patience. Conversely, a cool, comfortable environment can foster a more composed and patient demeanor.

9. Managing reactions: Tension often arises when we repeatedly encounter behaviors that frustrate or inconvenience us. To address such situations, open communication is key. Rather than silently seething, we can initiate a conversation with the person responsible, expressing our concerns and seeking resolution. Simple acts like politely requesting, “Hey, Ron, every time you don’t put this item back, I have to search for it. Could you please put it back here?” can alleviate the issue.

  Throughout our day-to-day interactions, our tolerance levels fluctuate based on various factors—our state of mind, the people we interact with, and the circumstances we face. To navigate these fluctuations effectively, it is essential to conduct self-checks multiple times a day. By tuning in to our body and emotions, we cultivate self-awareness, one of the most valuable tools for personal leadership. Leading oneself is often the most challenging task. By nurturing self-awareness, we naturally become attuned to the needs and emotions of our patients, teammates, and even ourselves. As dental assistants, we play a vital role in elevating the level of care by demonstrating compassion and understanding. When we accompany individuals through difficult situations, offering unwavering support, we forge bonds that endure beyond the immediate challenge. Patients begin to view us as trusted professionals, recognizing our commitment to their well-being, even when their responses may fall short. To quote Sonia Techler, “Self-reflection is a humbling process. It’s essential to find out why you think, say, and do certain things, then better yourself.” This statement holds profound significance for dental assistants, who hold an irreplaceable position in the dental team. Each day, we must strive to show up as the best version of ourselves because countless individuals depend on us. Your dentist relies on your expertise, your teammates rely on your collaboration, and, most importantly, your patients depend on your unwavering patience and care. By embodying these qualities consistently, we can make a substantial difference in our working environment. We are stronger when we come together, supporting one another. By nurturing patience, fostering professionalism, and consistently demonstrating empathy, we can shape a workplace where excellence thrives. Remember, every action and interaction contribute to the collective experience. Let us commit ourselves to being the dental assistants who uplift, inspire, and positively impact the lives of those we serve.