Happy New Year!

I hope you had a fantastic holiday and are feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and excited for the year to come!

I don't know about you, but I am thrilled for 2025! Like many, I spent some time over the holidays journaling, setting my intentions, and creating my goals—both personally and professionally—for the year ahead!

One exercise I do every year is to envision myself in the future. For this year, I imagine myself on December 31, 2025 and reflect on what that day looks like for me. This practice is so helpful for setting a plan in motion by reverse-engineering my goals.

Now, picture yourself on December 31, 2025, reflecting on the past 12 months. Are you in the same place you are now, or have you grown into a more fulfilling and rewarding space in your life, both professionally and personally?

For the professional aspect, ask yourself:

• Are you happy and fulfilled in your practice?
• Or do you feel stifled, unheard, and unable to drive the changes you want to see?

Now, envision yourself thriving—fulfilled, energized, and making a meaningful impact. Looking back from December 31, what steps did you take to create that reality?

Perhaps it started with the tools you use every day. Are your instruments and inserts serving you well, or are they beyond their prime? Too often, we compromise by using equipment that’s well past its effectiveness. This year, let’s commit to giving ourselves—and our patients—the best tools for success.

Maybe your vision includes incorporating advanced technology like laser therapy into your periodontal program. If that’s part of your ideal practice, what actions do you need to take now to make it happen?

Now, consider the environment you work in every day. Are you in a practice where you feel supported, valued, and truly part of a team? Or do you find yourself in a place where communication barriers, misunderstandings, or a lack of collaboration leave you feeling isolated or unheard?

Effective communication is at the heart of a thriving practice. It fosters trust, builds stronger relationships, and ensures everyone is aligned in delivering the best possible care. If this isn’t your current reality, what steps can you take to improve it?

Could you initiate more open conversations with your colleagues, participate in team-building activities, or take a leadership role in enhancing communication within your practice? A cohesive team not only supports professional fulfillment but also translates into better outcomes for your patients.

This year is your opportunity to stop compromising and start building the practice and professional life you deserve. Commit to your vision as if it’s already your reality, and then work backward to create the roadmap to get there.

Here’s how I approach this exercise each year:

1. Visualize your ideal professional self at the end of the year.
2. Identify the key steps and changes needed to align with that vision.
3. Prioritize the actions required to make your vision a reality.
4. Execute with intention and focus, one step at a time.

Let’s make 2025 the best year yet—for you, your patients, and your practice. Imagine looking back and celebrating how far you’ve come!

What does your December 31, 2025, look like? Start today to bring that vision to life! I am excited for you!

Thank you for your support and reading! Please take a look through our website for upcoming Live Streaming Courses, Events, Free Webinars, Hands-on Courses, Career Postings and our Partner Specials.

~ Kathleen

P.S. There are a couple of free webinars this month all about instrumentation! Let’s kick off 2025 strong together—see our website to register!

Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ Founder and President