Next Step Goals

O'Keeffe Henszey - May 2013 

You don't always need internal motivation. Sometimes it's the other little things that make all the difference.

I had my teeth cleaned on Tuesday at a new dentist office that goes with my new insurance plan. The hygienist recorded in my chart that I floss twice a year, which is true. When the dentist--a fun, relaxed guy who goes by the name Dr. J--saw this, he said, "Wait, twice a year or twice a week?" "Yes," I confirmed with no sense of shame. "Twice a year."

Fortunately--I can't believe I'm telling you this--I'm blessed with excellent saliva that has the right composition to take care of most of the plaque. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Dr. J even joked about how envious he is of people like me.

Of course Dr. J agreed.

But my genetic blessing provides no benefit around the gum line where only the floss can get. Luck is no longer on my side after all these years and x-rays showed early signs of trouble.

So I resolved to change my behavior.

Realizing that I had no internal motivation to floss and that earlier attempts had failed within days, I said, "Dr. J, I have a proposition. I know myself too well. The only way for me to succeed is if I make a promise, to myself and to you, that I will floss every morning and night and then email you to tell you that I did." I use this strategy with my clients all the time, so I know it works. "Would you be willing to humor me with this effort?"