You ever have those stretches where you're just tired of what you're doing? I get them periodically. I have never charted exactly what time of year they come - maybe it's always the same season or the same amount of time after going to a meeting or seminar. But I have been getting them for a few years now.

I've been doing the same thing - practicing dentistry - for almost 25 years now. I recall getting out of school and thinking guys with my experience were OLD GUYS! Now I'm one of them. (Those guys are still old guys.) I still have my moments when I get a charge out of doing my job. For example, last week I had a patient in who had a dark front tooth. She's had it for years and no amount of bleaching seemed to help it. So I bonded it. But I didn't like my result. So when she came in last week I tried again - and succeeded. I matched the other tooth so well that I even impressed myself. And was she happy! I felt really good about the service I provided for her. I felt pretty good about myself right then, too.

But it doesn't change the fact that I'm sort of burned out on dentistry at the moment. Yes there are moments like that one last week, but too often the day is a drag. I usually get an injection of enthusiasm around March right after I get together with my buddies and also take some classes at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting. But lately it hasn't lasted.

I have to do something. Because I need to do this for another ten years, probably, maybe more. I used to hope that I could retire at age 55, but that isn't going to happen. No possible way.

Anyway, I guess we'll see what happens. I'll keep plugging along, I'm sure. Hopefully I'll figure something out.

*****