Great business leaders are perpetual learners.

Hungry to dive into what is next. Ready to consume the latest research in your field. Eager to take this knowledge and adapt it to your practice. You don’t only want what’s best for your patients, you also want what’s better than the best. You’re prepared to devour the newest, cutting-edge research as soon as it emerges and apply it to your field so you can offer your patients valuable services and change lives.

Does this describe you?

But your schedule is already full.

Continuing education is a commitment of time and effort. And as a dentist, you may find that your schedule is so tight to begin with that you don’t feel you have time for continuing education.

The thought of taking it on in addition to running a business can seem daunting. But the good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice as much as you think.

Effective tools can simplify the process.

With the right courses and the necessary tools, you will discover ways to simplify the learning process to make it as simple and stress-free as possible.

And if anyone needs the way paved smoothly, it’s busy professionals. Taking on an orthodontic course requires only the smallest adjustments and can create a huge difference in your practice.

Optimize your study environment.

Disorganization, chaos, and stress can make it challenging to absorb new information. Create a space designated for learning. That can be in your office, your home, or even in a coffee shop.

The key is in how it makes you feel. Do you feel comfortable, energized, and creative in this environment? Are there minimal distractions? Can you see yourself looking forward to coming here during your study periods?

Light boosts chemicals in our brain that increase focus. Make sure the space is well-lit, either with natural light or a good LED lamp.

The space should be quiet, and when it comes to cutting out distractions, think of putting your phone into another room and shutting down your email browser so the only tabs open on your computer are for study. If something distracting comes to mind, jot it down on a sticky note beside you and keep studying.

And make sure you’re organized. For a streamlined study area, get rid of anything that is unnecessary. Now that you have a good setup, use this space only for study, and your brain will automatically associate that activity with learning.

Set realistic goals.

Continuing your education comes with decisions, such as deciding how much to take on and how much to commit to in several areas.

When selecting courses to study, talk to us. The instructors at the American Orthodontic Society can help you narrow it down to the best course to select. There are simple courses to start with. As you integrate the content into your practice, you can always take on more courses later.

When it comes to setting study goals for yourself, set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

If all you have is 20 minutes in the evening, that may be all you need. Small intensive microlearning periods of 20 to 30 minutes are proven to be effective for studying.

Prioritize your time.

Now that you have decided on the right amount of time to study, and how often you will study, you need to select an exact time to make this happen.

Think about everything you do in the evening or on the weekends. Is there any activity that can be reduced by 20 to 30 minutes, or a weekend activity that can temporarily be swapped out with studying? Rather than trying to cram studying into your schedule, take out activities so you will be able to fit in your orthodontic courses.

Then choose the exact times. Block out that time specifically for studying, and don’t plan anything that overlaps. If you are able to, block out another period of time for relaxation apart from study, where you turn off your computer and remove yourself from your office; this will help you avoid burnout.

Consider what you can delegate over the time you are taking on orthodontic courses. Before you sign up for orthodontic courses, contemplate hiring someone to do some of the work you do—any part of running your business that can be delegated to another person with those skills.

Leverage technology tools.

Technology can make your study time faster and more efficient.

• Automate what you can.
• Listen to the Orthodontic Smiles podcast while commuting or while at home.
• Rocketbook is a digital notebook that can make it easier to take notes while you study.
• Evernote is an app that streamlines your note-taking and organizes your notes and study.
• Create custom flashcards with Studyblue.

Take advantage of the fact that almost everything has a virtual option nowadays. If you’re looking to take orthodontic courses with Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars, but your schedule is very full, consider virtual course options.

Collaborate and connect.

Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars provides an environment where you will be able to connect with other dentists. If you take the course in person, you get to work closely with an entire team of experts. Take advantage of this opportunity by asking any questions that come to mind. Talk to the instructors; our teachers are excited to get to know you. All who attend these courses are encouraged to ask for clarification where needed. And, when the course is over, you can stay connected with like-minded leaders in the field.

Williams virtual CE courses for dentists also provide connection opportunities over a virtual platform. We’re coming together to learn, and you can make use of this with both types of courses.

Skip the fast track.

Taking shortcuts is tempting. After all, what busy dentist isn’t enticed by an online offering of getting their orthodontics qualifications in just a weekend rather than weeks? Unfortunately, there are a lot of downsides to fast-track courses. There is no shortcut to learning. A teacher can effectively make learning interesting, but no matter how interesting the topic is, it takes time to learn the skills to effectively apply what you learn to your practice.

Continuing Your Education through Orthodontics

The best leaders don’t stop learning. Continuing education is vital to professional development. But you don’t have to go it alone. If you would like to take continuing education courses and learn how to apply orthodontics to your practice alongside a team of other dental professionals, consider Williams GP Orthodontics Seminars.