Just Two Minutes: Let it Go

Bite-sized dental wisdom in under 2 minutes.

I have a problem with letting things go.

Not people. Not really grudges.
More like… opportunities that are already dead.

A business I started a few years ago had some mild success.
Eventually, I shut it down so I could focus on other ventures.
I stopped most of the expenses -
but I still kept a bunch of subscriptions and tools active for no real reason.

Not because I was going to revive it.

But because letting it go felt like failure.
Like I was admitting it didn’t work.
And I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Then I heard someone ask this:

“If you weren’t already in it, would you start it today?”

And that reframed the whole situation.

Because when I asked myself that question about the old business…
The answer was hell no.

So why was I still clinging to it?

Answer: ego.
It wasn’t strategic. It was emotional.

And I think a lot of dentists do the same thing.

You’ve got:

• A system that’s outdated.

• A team member who’s been coasting for years.

• A new piece of equipment that’s been in the box since 2021.

But you won’t cut it.
Because you already spent the money.
Or the time.
Or the emotional energy.
So now you feel like walking away = failure.

But here’s the truth:

Just because it cost you a lot doesn’t mean it’s worth anything now.

Let it go.

Ask yourself:
Would I start this again today knowing everything I know now?

If the answer is no,
You don’t need a better reason.
You just need to be honest.

Because sunk costs don’t just drain your money.
They drain your clarity.

And that’ll cost you even more.

-Dr. Alex

P.S. So in the words of every 6 year old out there…