The holidays are always a special time to reflect on the year that has passed. They can occasionally get a little hectic, but I never forget how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family and satisfying job. This year was extra special because my wife and I were able to take the kids up to my wife’s parents’ place to have some fun in the snow. There’s no denying that it has been a wild winter, but in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, we were able to make the most of it.
We had so much fun enjoying the beautiful scenery and spending time with our extended family. The kids could not get enough of being pulled around on sleds by the snowmobiles. It really gave them the chance to enjoy all that an Idaho winter has to offer. In the Treasure Valley, having this much snow has sometimes seemed like a chore. Up in the country, though, it was an absolute blast. The only downside of the trip was that different groups of family members were catching a nasty bug nearly every day. Luckily, the sickness only lasted for 24 hours, and everyone ended up being just fine. It did end up delaying our departure by a day, but I am sure our daughters didn’t mind the chance to take one more lap on the sleds.
2016 came to a close with a really special event, and I am confident that the new year will be full of great memories as well. The team here at Castlebury Dental is looking forward to making 2017 our best yet. We always strive to provide thorough care and develop a meaningful bond with our patients. For us, every new interaction is a chance to strengthen that bond. When a new year gets underway, we like to use it as an opportunity to ensure that every member of our staff is on the same page in regards to the values and goals of the practice.
One way we do that is through team-building, and luckily, a teambuilding experience is actually right around the corner. We are off to Phoenix, Arizona, in order to participate in a leadership conference called the “Big Year Kickoff.” I have always found that these events are invigorating because you get to hear from and talk to so many value driven, motivated individuals. This year, I will be bringing along four staff members, and it means a lot to me to be able to share in the experience with them. On a personal level, I like to take the beginning of the new year as a chance to set goals and stick to them. This year, I want to spend at least 10 minutes per day reading high-quality material or at least 15 minutes listening to something of the same caliber. We all consume a lot of media, and it matters to me that I make that time count as much as possible. My family always takes the time to share our goals with one another. Not only does this hold all of us accountable, but it makes the process more collaborative and more fun for everyone.
I want to wish all of our patients at Castlebury Dental a happy and healthy 2017. Here’s to a great year!
- Dr. Brown