Osvaldo, thanks for sharing your story! It’s one that I see a lot! We keep investing more into dentistry, and it works for a while, but if it’s not the right match for us, eventually we still end up unhappy over time. It’s so great that you did so many wonderful and exotic things with your career. At least now you can say that you gave it a good try, and you can feel confident with your future decision to leave. I wish you lots of luck, and please keep us posted on what comes next for you! (If you’re on Facebook, I’d love to invite you to join my private group called Dentist Side Gigs.) Oh, and you’re English is great!

Eric!!!! Isn’t it amazing that all the signs are there– looking at every other job and thinking it would be better, for one– and we still don’t make a move?!?! I can relate to all of what you experienced… the 2-year timeline, the fears, jumping off the cliff. Your story is so inspirational, and I love all that you share with us. Congrats on 4 years!! I KNOW there is not a bone in your body that regrets walking away. <3

I reached a point during my days of private practice that I was actually searching online for jobs in my local community… in between seeing patients! Almost every opportunity sounded better than what I was doing at the time — even if I wasn’t qualified for the positions described! Despite the fact that that should have been a blatant warning signal, I chose to ignore it.

But one day at the office stood out from all the rest…

Most of the patients I saw that particular day had been very nice — and I actually enjoyed treating some of them. But one specific person, who had an appointment near the end of the day, caused me so much unneeded (and UNJUSTIFIED) stress, that it ruined the entire day for me. All those feelings that I could “tolerate” from earlier in the day had been erased. That made me finally question myself — why had I been taking the time to search for other jobs? Shouldn’t I be more interested in the latest breakthroughs in dentistry? Or ways to increase my patient load? I had reached the point that I did NOT want to see ANY more patients.

I vowed that if I ever actually did leave this career — and possibly question that decision — I would remember how horrible this day had been, and how my mental state had sunk to rock bottom…. NOT a healthy place to be. It was time to take care of myself.

After that day, I created a timeline of 2 years to change my life and make an exit from private practice. 24 months… that didn’t seem too bad. I joked with a few of the staff members that the countdown had begun. “24… 23… 22 to go”, I announced at the beginning of each new month.

Looking back, I realize I was only fooling myself. That 2 year timeline was a mistake. Why did I choose that number? Because it was still far enough away that I wouldn’t have to deal with the possible consequences of no longer having a job?? Too scary to face if it was just TOO close… so 2 years seemed like a “safe” option.

Shortly thereafter, I had a physical injury that required surgery, and would cause me to be unable to practice dentistry in a clinical setting for 4 – 6 months, due to the estimated recovery time. During that recovery period, I had many hours (and days and weeks) to think. “This is my opportunity”, I found myself telling myself over and over. I had originally planned on returning to work — which I had conveyed to my business partner, our staff, and to myself.

But as time passed during my recovery, I came to realize that there are certain things that are important in life… and many more that are not. If I didn’t return to work, what would be the consequences? How would I make ends meet? Would my life be the same? What would people think of me? What would my patients think? My friends, my family too. Would I be considered a failure? Or even worse, a coward?

I kind of equated the idea of leaving my career at that point as jumping off a cliff without a safety net. Yet somehow that seemed really appealing. So I told myself that I would find a way to make it work, NO MATTER WHAT.

So I jumped off that cliff without a net.

That may seem a foolish thing to do (to many) but it was one of the best decisions of my life. This past July 20th marks the 4th year of my last day in dentistry. I don’t regret it one bit. Of course there were obstacles to overcome, but it was worth every effort to face them. I found it was much easier to do than I anticipated.

And the funny thing is, despite making that jump, I never crashed. Instead, I found wings… and am more happy than I have ever been.

That is my story, and my hope it that it is an inspiration to those of you who are contemplating such a change. You won’t regret taking that leap. And the opportunity to soar. You can do it, mark my words. Just don’t wait.