Orthotown October 2019 - 12

embrace progress

Greed/Charity
Wrath/Patience
Greed
Material items control your sense of
contentment: You want more and more
things and are never satisfied. I'm not an
official believer in the "It takes a village"
philosophy, but I certainly do realize that
getting to one of the most cherished positions
in society and one of the 10 best occupations
in the country doesn't happen in a vacuum.
Positive trait: charity
Be thankful daily for opportunity and
blessings, and use your position to give
back to others.

Sloth/Diligence
Envy/Gratitude

Lust/Chastity
Envy/Gratitude
Envy

You wish you were someone else because
of that person's possessions or qualities.
Instead of honoring the life and materials
you have, you dishonor the gift of life you
were given by being dissatisfied with it. We
all know someone who has more than us.
It all looks so easy.
Positive trait: gratitude
We all need to take solace in the fact
that we are able to focus, execute and attain
universal success in life with our profession.
Getting our heads on straight should allow
for us to slowly, predictably and, with respect,
enjoy a unique and happy lifestyle.

Greed/Charity

Lust/Chastity

Gluttony/Temperance

Pride/Humility
Gluttony/Temperance
Pride

Sloth/

You think you know it all and have it all!
Pride prevents you from growing, evolving
and accepting yourself. If there's one thing
that we need to check at the door before
interacting with others at home and in the
office, it's pride.
Positive trait: humility
To be a constant student and better
performer, you need to acknowledge that
you're not perfect or always right. There
needs to be a delicate balance between
feeling confident and being humble. There
are times in life when we just need to suck
it up and move on.

Wrath/Patience

Risk managers will tell you that a sure
way to legal action is to have limited communication with patients and staff. Although
it's no guarantee, it's pretty apparent that
behaving in a way to avoid the seven deadly
sins is a good way to avoid patient and family
conflict, and enjoy success. ■

Lust
Lust/Chastity
You have a strong sexual attraction and
Envy/Gratitude
can't get that
person out of your mind. No
surprises here! If anything has caused dentists
and other professionals to work harder and
longer than originally planned, it's lust (and
the actions that often follow). I can't tell you
how many colleagues have extended their
working career involuntarily because of the
unintended consequences of lust.
Positive trait: chastity
The temptations are everywhere, from
schooling to the workplace to the travel and
meetings, but the self-control required will
make for a long and healthy and financially
secure future.

Gluttony/Temperance
12 OCTOBER 2019 // orthotown.com

Gluttony/Temperance
Gluttony
Instead of being satisfied with what you
have, you want more and more. The simple
explanation involves food, but it pertains
to other material wealth as well; it's about
wanting an excess of anything.
Positive trait: temperance
Too much of a good thing is not good
for continued success. When things are
going well, we need to understand what it
took to attain and continue with the task at
hand. Overreaching when the time is good
can lead to many of the other deadly sins.

Confess your sins
(or virtues) to us
on Orthotown.com
What have you decided is the worst-or
best-part of practicing orthodontics?
Visit orthotown.com/magazine and leave
your thoughts in the comments section
under this column. Or email Dr. Dan Grob
at dan@orthotown.com.
http://www.orthotown.com/magazine http://www.orthotown.com
Orthotown October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown October 2019
