Paradise Found: Turks & Caicos Islands

Turks & Caicos is one of the most beautiful Caribbean Islands I’ve visited! (besides Jamaica, of course - I’m biased). It’s surrounded by the largest sand banks in the world which allows for crystal clear, turquoise blue water. It is scenic, quiet and a lot less touristy than other surrounding islands. It is truly paradise!

On My way to Turks & Caicos!

My girlfriends and I recently enjoyed a long weekend “girls trip” to this beautiful island. This was in the month of November when the temperatures in the northeastern parts of the United States were rapidly falling and we were all in need of a little sunshine.

We spent 5 days on this breathtakingly beautiful island and the only thing I (kind of) regret is not photo documenting the entire trip. But, that is the magic of this place; It makes you slow down, unplug and completely immerse yourself in all it’s splendor.

Below you will find a travel guide that can be handy if you ever find yourself planning a getaway to beautiful Turks and Caicos. A fair warning - Turks is not a cheap place by any stretch of the imagination. It is very much geared towards luxury and not at all considered a budget destination.

Grace Bay Beach

How To Get There:

Several islands make up the Turks & Caicos Islands and thus there are several airports. Since we were going to Providenciales , we flew into the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) which is the main airport on the island. We all flew separately from different North East airports. The cost from New York (JFK), Washington, DC (DCA) and Pittsburgh (PIT) ranges from $450-$600 at that time of year.

We also rented a car upon arrival so that we could not only get to our villa in Provo but enjoy exploring the Island. We rented from Grace Bay Car Rentals for around $220 for 5 days.

Commute from the airport to our Villa

You can get around via Taxi or rental car. If you are staying at a hotel in Grace Bay (touristy area) and have no plans to leave your resort then this might be unnecessary. However, if you’re staying away from the resort area (like we did), you will need a rental car to get around. Keep in mind that in Turks and Caicos, they drive on the left (the British way). Most steering wheels will be on the right. Not to worry if this freaks you out initially, my American friends adjusted quite quickly.

Local Currency:

The local currency is the United States Dollar (USD), so no conversions to worry about for my American friends.

Weather:

Since this is the Caribbean, expect tropical weather. The average temperature ranges between 80-90 degrees year round with sprinkles of showers randomly which seizes quite quickly.

Where We Stayed:

Our Villa was exquisite! We stayed at Sunrise Ridge - the main house, and it was phenomenal. It is located in the exclusive Turtle Tail neighborhood of Providenciales and is a 5 acre estate set on one of the highest points of the Turks and Caicos islands.  The ridge has captivating views of the Ocean, Flamingo Lake and the island of Providenciales. Our villa came decked with a swimming pool, Barbecue, outside dining, private decks and a fire pit.  It had everything we needed and was stocked with things from blenders to coffee makers to beach chairs, umbrellas and coolers. Cost was ~$1000/night and varies depending on the time of year.

Aerial View of our Villa

Ocean View From The Pool Deck of Our Villa

This Hammock By The Pool Was My Favorite Spot.

The Courtyard Where I Had My Morning Tea Each Day

View From The Living Room

Kitchen and Dining Room

View From The Bedroom

Food:

• Since we stayed in a villa, we stocked up on food at the nearby grocery store - Graceway IGA Supermarket, which was about 10 minutes away. Even though we had ample food at the house we wanted to experience the restaurants on the island.

• The Deck at Seven Stars - We went here on our first night in Turks for something quick to eat. We ended up grabbing bar food (choice from the menu) and was quite satisfied. The conch fritters are divine.

• Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar at Grace Bay Resorts - Go here on a Saturday night when there are lots of people and the energy is high. However, expect long wait times for food as they get super busy. The food and drinks here are quite pricey but really good.

• Coco Bistro - Located in the heart of Grace Bay in walking distance of all the resorts. The food and atmosphere are really nice and a must try.

• Hemmingway’s - We ate here on our last night in Turks. The ambience, customer service, food and drinks are excellent! I had the curried lobster and wanted more when it was done.

Don’t let the look of this fool you. I waited a very long time for this Grouper from Infiniti Restaurant and it was worth every second.

What To Do:

You go to Turks because of the beaches! and the main one is Grace Bay Beach on the north side of Providenciales.

• Horse back riding tour with Provo Ponies - this was quite fun and rather relaxing.

• Sunset drinks at the very modern, and sleek boutique Hotel Gansevoort - One of the best things here is the beach bar. The drinks are really good and they make a mean mojito.

• Snorkeling at Turtle Cove - We didn’t make it here but were told by the locals that this is the spot for snorkeling as Smith’s Reef is VERY beautiful.

• Bonefishing at Juba Point Salina - If you’re into bone fishing, this is where it’s done because of the low depths of the water. The water here isn’t suitable for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding or anything of that nature.

• Flamingo Lake to see the flamingos - Want to go flamingo spotting? Flamingo pond is where you want to go. The number of flamingos will vary with the time of year.

Soothing Horse Back Ride with Provo Ponies

As I mentioned, the one thing I (kind of) regret is not taking more photos. If I had thought about doing a travel guide I certainly would have. However, a visit to Turks and Caicos should definitely be on your bucket list in my opinion. It is one of those very simple yet breathtakingly beautiful destinations that you ought to experience. Of course, do your research and have an open mind.

Experience does for the soul what education does for the mind. - Casey Neistat

And we’re out.

Refinance or Consolidate your Student Loans?

As young professionals, many of us left or will be leaving school with student loan debt. As our grace periods wear off and we enter repayment a lot of us find ourselves scouring the internet or asking friends and colleagues how they are going about tackling their student loans. It can be daunting going through the options - some of us have loans from undergraduate school and/ or graduate school. Some of us may have taken out private student loans, federal loans or a combination. Either way, we need to know the options for repaying these loans.

Student loan refinancing and student loan consolidation are two different tactics to help borrowers repay their loans. In some cases student loan consolidation is the way to go, and in other situations student loan refinancing is best. So what that difference?

Consolidation

Consolidation refers to combining multiple student loans into one loan. You may have taken out a separate loan for each semester of school and thus by consolidating you are combining all those different loans into one, which results in just one monthly payment instead of many.  This is designed to make repayment easy and typically refers to federal student loans. Since it applies to federal student loans you keep all the benefits that federal loans offer (loan forgiveness, income based repayment, etc). Consolidation however, does not lower the interest you pay on the loans. The interest you pay is calculated based on the average interest of all your combined loans. It is important to note that consolidation does not necessarily save you money - it simply combines all your loans to make your payments easier to manage.  

Consolidation is only done through the Department of Education (studentloans.gov)

Refinancing

Refinancing your student loans is a good option if you have several loans from several sources (private, federal, etc). This option does not combine your loans, but rather creates a brand new loan. Your new loan’s interest rate can be lower depending on your credit score, so it is important that this score is healthy. The great thing(s) about refinancing is that you will now have one single new loan instead of many and there is the potential to get a lower interest rate which can save you a lot of money over time.

Refinancing can be done through a private loan lender (not government). There are many options out there like SoFi, Laurel Road, Earnest,, LendKey, etc.

Which is best?

• If you have multiple private loans OR a single private loan with a high interest rate - Refinance

• If you have federal student loans and planning on getting student loan forgiveness or rely on Income based repayment - Consolidate

• If you have both federal and private loans and want a single loan with low interest rate - Refinance

An Orthodontist Can Boost Your Self Esteem!

People who are happy with the the way they look are typically more confident and have higher self esteem than those who are not. The way our teeth look and the appearance of our smile can have a pretty significant impact on the way we view ourselves.

It’s true that individuals with misaligned (crooked) teeth usually are more reserved, shy or self conscious. They in turn cover their mouths when they smile or laugh, smile with their lips closed, or avoid speaking when around strangers or peers.

This is where an Orthodontist comes in. Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that has a focus on the alignment of teeth. Orthodontists diagnose, prevent, intercept, and treat dental and facial irregularities. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the goal of orthodontic treatment is a beautiful smile and a good bite—meaning straight teeth that mesh well with the teeth in the opposite jaw and look great.

Having healthy self-esteem and self-confidence is especially important for children, as it can impact their mental and emotional well-being during their early years of development and can shape the person they grow up to be. In today’s competitive world, you want to empower your child with everything you can to feel confident about themselves.

But, braces is not just for kids. Nowadays, adults are getting braces to get the smile they always wanted and deserved. There are several different types of braces to choose from; traditional metal braces, ceramic braces that match the color of your teeth and even clear aligners, like invisalign. More and more adults are getting braces and totally embracing the journey, like Mollie (pictured below) that’s owning her braces journey.

Mollie expresses that “I was a cheerleader but I never smiled big. Group photos and everyone is smiling but then there’s me looking all angry with the soft smile. The school picture photographers always used to tell me to smile with my teeth but I always refused.” Now she is on her way to a straighter, more beautiful smile and embracing every step of it.

Mollie with the soft smile, before she was comfortable to smile showing teeth.

A more confident Mollie, with braces showing off her beautiful smile.

Smile/non-smile :)

The changes that occurred in only 3 months of having braces on. Bottom: month 1; Top: Month 3

Her smile is getting straighter and more beautiful.

Follow along with Mollie’s braces journey by visiting her instagram page (molliewearsbraces).

In my practice, I have seen how life altering getting a straighter, more beautiful smile can be. Orthodontists can help boost one’s self-esteem by:

• Improving one’s appearance - Straighter teeth means a much more beautiful smile, which in turn means a more attractive appearance.

• Improving Health - straighter teeth are easier to clean than misaligned (crooked) ones, which means healthier gums, fewer cavities and fewer staining.

• Correcting Speech Impediments - While not all speech patterns can be corrected without the help of a Speech & Language Pathologist, the straightening of teeth can help to improve some speech patterns.

If you’ve been thinking about a more desirable smile or have been considering Orthodontic treatment, visit the AAO website here to find an Orthodontist in your area.

Disclaimer: I am not Mollie’s Orthodontist

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set New Year Intentions (Goals) that You Will Actually Stick To

A new year is upon us, which means it’s time to reflect on the past year and bid the last 12 months adieu. With 2019 comes the promise of a fresh start whether it be personal or professional. But, how many of us get really excited for a new year and set lofty goals only for them to fall by the wayside by mid-January? Setting new year resolutions has been a long time tradition but statistics show that only about 10% of people actually stick to their new year resolutions past the month of January - that’s pretty low, but we can change that.

I am a huge proponent of self improvement and and an even bigger proponent of setting goals that are actually measurable and attainable. So how exactly do you set intentions that you will actually stick to? Be SMART about it.

Before you set a goal, first figure out your “why.” By figuring out and articulating the reason you want to achieve something you are more likely to remain motivated to stick to it, rather than it being something you think you should do.

S - Small and Specific: Break your goals into smaller, more specific ones. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier in 2019, be more specific by making it about adding 1 fresh fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water per day for the month of January.

M - Measurable : All your goals must be measurable, that means you should be able to describe the physical manifestation of the outcome of your goal. Example, losing 2lbs per week by adding one fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water to our diet each day.

A - Attainable and Accountability: Is your goal attainable? Can you realistically achieve your goal? Another great way to stay on track is to find someone you trust to keep you accountable. Example, someone who will check in to make sure you had your fruit/vegetable each day or someone who will ensure you meal prep.

R - Relevant and Realistic: Is this goal relevant to you or even realistic? Ensure you’re not setting a goal that you really don’t care about and hence not realistic. Example, I dislike running. If i make it a goal of mine to incorporate running 1 mile/day I know I will fail. Instead, I ensure I get my cardio in by getting on the elliptical or bike each day.

T - Timely: Make a tentative plan for everything you do. Don’t just make it a goal to exercise once per day. You know your schedule, you know if you’re a morning or late night person. Instead of saying you will work out once per day, say you will work out at 5:30 each morning for 1 hour before work/school.

In all of this, a sure way to make things happen is to write it down. It sounds strange, but there is enormous power in putting things down on paper, and according to research you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams when it’s written.

Bonus: Be your own D**n Cheerleader and eliminate self doubt. Figure out what keeps you motivated and inspired. I love quotes! I keep them everywhere - my phone’s wallpaper, sticky notes around the house, on my desk at work, I listen to music, books and podcasts that are uplifting. I tolerate no negativity and try to stay away from it at all costs.

Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish. By breaking down your goals into bite-sized, manageable actions and writing them down,setting goals and intentions for the new year that you can actually stick to becomes a much easier process. Happy New Year!

Retirement Planning for Young Professionals

*Updated to reflect 2019 Increases

It is never too early to start saving towards retirement. As the new year approaches everyone is setting their goals and intention for the coming months. A main focus for many of us will be our money management and long term goals(retirement planning). It is imperative to have some knowledge of compounding interest to fully understand the benefits of starting early. In this post I will cover some basics of retirement planning and hopefully compel every young professional to start saving towards retirement(if you haven’t already).

Before moving forward, I must remind you that retirement planning is a long term investment. In most cases you will not be able to access these funds until around age 59 1/2 without severe ramifications (taxes + penalties). So, if you are investing and need to access your funds sooner than this, you may have to think of other types of investments, which we will talk about in a subsequent post.

There are many different accounts and plans available and choosing the right one is very important as they each have different benefits and advantages, especially when it comes to tax planning. Here are a few to help you get started.

Simple IRA (Saving Incentive Match Plan for Employees)

For the year 2018, participants can make employee contributions of up to a maximum of $12,500 per year if you are under 50 years old and $15,500 if you are older than 50. Both employee and employer contribute to this account. Contributions are non tax deductible.

Traditional IRA

Anyone can open a traditional IRA account - but honestly, if you are a dentist or physician (like most of my colleagues are), then there really is no use for this type of account. During residency you have the option to open a Roth IRA (more on that below) because your lower salary allows you to stay within the income restrictions. Later as you start your career and your salary increases you will most likely surpass the income caps and will have the ability to deduct your traditional IRA contributions. However, it’s worth understanding as it forms the framework for all other types of retirement accounts. A Traditional IRA is set up by you (not an employer) and the maximum contribution to this type of account is $6,000 if you’re under 50 years old and $7,000 if you’re older. The contributions are tax deductible and grows tax-free.  If you withdraw the money prior to age 59 1/2, there will be ramifications of a 10% tax (penalty) as well as any income tax which would be owed on the money.  After age 59 1/2, you just have to pay the income tax based on your tax bracket at that time.  At age 70, you will be required to start withdrawing part of the money each year, the “Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).”  This is age based and starts out at about 3.6% and increases to about 8.8% at age 90.  

Roth IRA

I absolutely love a Roth IRA. However, there is a contribution income limit. If you make more than $120K (single) or $179K (married), you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA. However, there are ways to get around that with Roth IRA conversions, which we will discuss in a subsequent post. Anyone with earned income can open a Roth IRA and contribute up to $5000 per year.  If income is sufficient, one can also open a Spousal Roth IRA and contribute another $5000.  If you’re over 50, those limits are raised to $6000 per year.

The reason I love a Roth IRA is because you contribute with after-tax money, but it is never taxed again!  You don’t pay taxes on capital gains and dividends as the money grows, and it comes out tax-free in retirement.  You generally can’t access the money before age 59 1/2, but unlike a 401K or Traditional IRA there are no required minimum distributions beginning at age 70.

401K

If you are an employee of a company and your employer offers a 401K retirement plan, there’s absolutely no reason why you should not be participating. It is even more important that you participate if said company is offering a match. A match is basically free money! Do not leave free money laying on the table. The contribution maximum for the year 2019 is $19,000 and the great thing about a 401K is that you are investing pre-tax dollars. The not-so great thing is that when you go to retrieve your money (after age 59 1/2), you will be taxed on this (unlike with a Roth IRA).

If you're an Independent Contractor (not a W2 employee), you’re considered to be “running your own business.” In this case, you can also make an employer contribution of 20% of your net income up to $55,000.

SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension)

If you have your own practice, a SEP IRA may be a good option. This allows you to contribute 25% of your business profit or $55,000 per year, whichever is less. The contributions are tax deductible, and investments grow tax deferred until retirement.

This is not a comprehensive list of retirement vehicles but it’s a great place to start. Everyone, as early as possible, should start contributing to one of the above. Speak with your financial planner or accountant for more clarification about which plan is best for you. Hope this helps in getting started.

Tanzania: Dental Helping Hands

The purpose of the Dental Helping Hands (DHH) Non-Profit Organization (NPO) is to provide dental services to people who do not have access to dental care, who cannot afford it and who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment. The founders of the organization have a solid mission of giving back to people of our respective communities and countries.

Our latest mission took us to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Dr. Patrick Christopher (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery resident and President of our non-profit Organization) and a team of other surgeons and volunteers performed life saving and life altering surgeries for individuals who were in dire need.

The DHH team spent four days in Tanzania and performed trauma surgeries, cleft lip & palate repair, facial reconstruction, keloid repair, and tumor removals.

Tumors on right side of patient’s face

Patient prepped and ready for tumor removal surgery

Our trip was a success. Seven (7) individuals in dire need of care were able to receive life altering surgeries at no cost. A huge part of our team’s success stems from individuals like yourself who see there’s a need and donate either time, supplies or money. These donations go a very long way in the lives of the people we serve.

In 2019 we will continue our mission to serve and provide these communities with much needed dental services. Services we typically offer include dental cleanings, extractions, fillings, root canals, and even surgical intervention. We provide education and supplies to help maintain their oral health long after we are gone.

Please help us continue to serve the underserved by donating to our non-profit here.

Best Money/Finance Podcasts for Young Professionals

On the path to becoming a professional regardless of the field you’re in, the focus has been getting to the place where we finally start our careers. We have been through many years of schooling - studying, passing classes, maintaining grades, matriculating, improving skills, applying for residencies and specialty programs. The remaining time was utilized to catch up on sleep, exercise and balance family and social life. Nobody taught us anything money or finance related. We lacked knowledge regarding taxes, refinancing/consolidating student loans, insurances, retirement, and investing.

I began listening to finance/money podcasts when I started my career as an Orthodontist. I went from having no income to a substantial salary that I wasn’t quite sure what to do with. I know I wanted to make smart financial decisions and improve my financial literacy but didn’t know what professionals to seek or even what types of questions to ask.

Undoubtedly my CPA and friends with experience have been invaluable but I wanted more. I wanted to learn all the financial terminology that I would often hear people speak of, words like index funds, mutual funds, compound interest, asset allocation, capital gains, amortization, differences between 401K, 403b, Roth and the list goes on. I wanted to learn more about financial independence, real estate investments, and passive income.

Books are usually my thing but podcasts have proven to be quite convenient and there have been a handful of podcasts that I listen to religiously and that have helped me tremendously over the last several months.

1. Afford Anything - This podcast is one of my favorites as Paula Pant is all about Financial Independence and is a big proponent to the FIRE movement. FIRE stands for Financial Independence Retire Early. She’s 34, retired, financially independent, has zero debt and makes a living through real estate investing, blogging and podcasting. She introduces listeners to different ways to build passive income and rid yourself of a 9-to-5 job.

2. Stacking Benjamins - I love this because the guys on this show drop so many financial gems but do so in a very lighthearted and fun way. Their humor and jokes may give the perception of lack of serious-mindedness but if you listen beyond that it is evident their focus is on helping their listeners build wealth.

3. Smart Passive Income - I’m all about passive income so naturally I gravitated towards this podcast. Pat Flynn is awesome! He frequently pulls in over $100, 000 per month in passive income. He gives his listeners different ways to go about setting up passive income streams and his podcasts are always inspiring.

4. The Side Hustle Show - I love this podcast because they offer great tips and business strategies for those looking for multiple income streams. If you want to perhaps keep your 9-5, supplement your income and have a few extra bucks here and there this podcast is certainly for you. It’s very informative and every time I listen I learn ways to improve my own side hustle(s).

5. Choose FI - The podcast is great! Here FI stands for financial Independence and the hosts discuss life optimization strategies that are possible when we decide to get off the hamster wheel.

6. Profit Boss with Hilary Henershott - I recently started listening to this podcast and it has been quite informative. It’s geared towards women who want to take charge and create success in their financial lives. It has been very motivating and inspiring.

So if you’re looking to improve your financial situation, gain financial independence, retire early, start a side business or have passive income then I definitely recommend the above podcasts. Listen to episodes during your commute, at the gym, while running, etc. The knowledge gained can enlighten your path and brighten your future. Feel free to give feedback on your experience.

Happy Listening!

Professional Teeth Whitening At Home

White teeth are always in style! Everyone wants a sparkly white smile and if you read my previous post you will know that there are many culprits out there that may diminish the whiteness of your teeth over time. Some of those culprits include coffee, tea, red wine, sodas, curry, turmeric, cigarette smoke to name just a few.

To combat these I mentioned different things to do and different products that will help to achieve a pearly white smile. Now, I am an Orthodontist and deal with teeth all day long and besides the most common question of “when am I getting my braces off?,” the second most common question I get is “How can I get my teeth whiter?” This is why I was very excited when Smile Brilliant asked me to review their at-home whitening system. I am always open to trying new products, especially if it means helping my patients.

My beautiful sister happily volunteered to be my test subject, since she’s always trying to get a whiter smile.

The Process:

Smile Brilliant sent me their teeth whitening kit which included impression material, an impression tray, whitening gel and desensitizing gel. My sister took her impressions and sent them back to smile brilliant in the pre-paid package provided. From there her trays were fabricated and sent back to her. Within a few days she received her custom fitted whitening trays and her whitening journey began.

She wore her trays to bed at night for about 2-21/2 weeks to achieve the results below!

After a few short weeks of (conveniently) wearing trays to bed, a desirable result was achieved. My sister is very happy with the results and says based on the ease of the overall process and the results she would definitely recommend it to a friend.

Giveaway!!

If you’re thinking about starting your own whitening journey, you’re in luck! Smile Brilliant will be giving one of MY readers $149 in credit to use on their site. To enter, visit Smile Brilliant through this link and provide your name and email address. This is open to anyone is the US, UK, Canada, and Australia! The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by Smile Brilliant directly.

If you’re feeling impatient and want to get started with your smile transformation ASAP, you can save 15% on your Smile Brilliant order now with code theunorthodoc at checkout.

Happy Whitening!

White Teeth Are Always In Style

We all want sparkly white teeth! Your smile is often times the first thing someone notices when they look at you so it makes sense to want to keep your teeth in tip top shape. However, there are some culprits that may prevent us from having and maintaining our pearly whites.

The Main Culprits to a White Smile:

These are some of the biggest contributors to our smiles fading over time.

• Coffee

• Tea

• Red Wine

• Soda

• Smoking

I am a BIG tea lover. I have a cup several times per day so it goes without saying that my teeth gets stained pretty quickly. Here are some products (some of which I use) that helps in keeping your teeth perfectly white:

Whitening ToothPaste - These toothpastes contain 1-1.5% carbide peroxide (a whitening agent) that is capable of removing surface stains. Some of my favorite whitening toothpastes are Crest 3D White, Crest 3D White Brilliance, Sensodyne true White (for the with sensitive teeth).

Whitening Strips and Gels - Whitening strips and gels contain a concentration of carbamine peroxide roughly six times stronger than toothpastes (6-10%). This amount of solution is enough to start penetrating your dental pores and lifting deeper stains. Although stronger than whitening toothpastes, strips and gels need to be applied carefully and evenly. Some of these strips and gels (and there are many) include Crest White Strips, Smile Brilliant, Bright White to name a few.

Professional Teeth Whitening - Custom whitening trays can be done by your dentist. These whitening systems usually contain an even stronger solution of carbamide peroxide (10-15%). You get the trays to take home and use as directed. However,  the most efficient, fast, and safest way to whiten you teeth is at a dentist’s office. With in-office treatment, the dentist uses a solution that usually contains ~35% carbide peroxide to get you instantly white teeth.

Tips for Maintaining Your Pearly Whites:

Now that you have obtained your pearly whites, you will want them to remain this way. A few things you can do to minimize staining are:

• Instead of coffee, tea, red wine and other beverages that stain your teeth, try drinking more water or other clear drinks as alternatives.

• If you are like me and must have tea (or coffee) try drinking from a straw. This will reduce the surface area that the beverage covers and thus reduce staining.

• Brush daily (at least 2x) with a whitening toothpaste, and floss!

• See your dentist regularly.

Go Where You are Celebrated

We spend at least 40 hours per week at work, quite literally half our lives. Life is way too short to live in a state of constant stress and misery. We hear this quote all the time - “Go where you’re celebrated, not tolerated.” Yet, many of us find ourselves in jobs where we’re not valued at all.

I have friends who do not particularly care for their jobs. Majority of these people are professionals - highly educated, ambitious and driven. However, as young professionals we sometimes find ourselves in situations and around employers that take advantage - We are often times under valued, put in stressful environments, disrespected and some times even pressured into unethical situations.

Employers some times make the mistake of putting profit over people - squeezing every ounce of productivity out of employees. The time isn’t taken to celebrate the team’s success and often times there’s a “do as you’re told” environment that diminishes creativity and dampens morale.

Brigette Hyacinth - author of The Ultimate Leader: Learning, Leading and Leaving a Legacy of Hope highlights some key points on how Employers should treat employees:

Appreciation - Show your employees that you appreciate them. You might be surprised at how much a small gesture means. Taking credit for the work of employees or not recognizing their contributions is also a sure way to lose points.

Empathy - Show that you sincerely care about your their well being. Employees want to be treated as human beings. They have feelings, emotions and personal lives.

Respect - If you respect employees, you will not encroach on their personal time by asking them to work late, on weekends or interrupting them while they are on vacation.

Autonomy - If you hired someone to do a job, then trust them to do it well, A manager's job is to provide guidance and support - not to micromanage people.

Growth and Development - Employees can interpret an employer’s unwillingness to invest in or recommend opportunities as a disregard for their professional development.

Go Where you’re Celebrated, not tolerated. If they can’t see your real value, it might be time for a new start.

Too many of us are hanging around in places, relationships, jobs where we are not valued - where the life is literally being sucked out of us. Why? Perhaps because of fear or lack of confidence in ourselves and in our abilities. If you find yourself feeling anything but celebrated, perhaps it's time to start moving in circles where your talents and skills are appreciated.

Working in an environment that you are merely tolerated will only hold you back. Instead, try to work for loyal employers who appreciate your talents and will give you opportunities to grow and develop.

How to Negotiate Your Contract, Like a Boss

Many professionals find the idea of engaging in contract negotiation intimidating. For this reason, many skip it all together and accept what they're offered, or they negotiate very minimally.

 At this point, I have negotiated a few contracts to lend some insight on how to negotiate your contract to get what you want, what is fair and what you deserve. 

To Negotiate like a boss, especially if you're female, will take some mindset changes. Here I've outlined a few ways to successfully Negotiate your contract and get what you want.

1. Say NO

One of the greatest inhibitions in asking for your market value or what you think you're worth is the fear of rejection. Once you can get passed this fear you can move on to the negotiating table. Understand that the real Negotiating doesn't start until someone says no! Never just accept what you're being offered. Quite often contracts are written with wiggle room for that reason.  The goal of negotiating is to reach an agreement with someone whose interest may not necessarily be aligned with yours. In this context the word no is not a negative thing but offers grounds to problem-solve and come to a consensus and an agreement. The alternative is being stuck in a job with individuals who are happy to place their needs above yours. 

2. Ask for More Than What You Want

It's a much better negotiating strategy to ask for more than you actually want or think you will get. Allow each party to say no a couple times before saying yes. People aren't necessarily happy when they get what they want. Think about it: You sit with your potential employer and say " I would like a 10% increase from my previous salary and a corner office" and his/her immediate response is "Sure, no problem!" You will likely suffer from buyers' remorse and wonder if you should have asked for a 20% increase instead. 

3. Be Willing to Walk Away

A lot of negotiating is a mind game. The greatest bargaining advantage goes to the person who is perceived to have the least to lose. Establish your deal breaker or bottom line and be willing to walk away from a deal (or say you will). If you at least act like you're prepared to walk away if your bottom line isn't met then the other party will be more incentivized to meet your requirements. 

4. Get a Lawyer

You have looked over your contract thoroughly but you need a second pair of eyes on it. There may be some legal jargon that you don't understand or have over looked. A lawyer will be able to point some things out to you that you may have missed and can even negotiate on your behalf. In my experience it has been worth the money pay a lawyer to do some of the heavy lifting for you.

I know contract negotiations aren't always easy. You must ensure that you ask the right questions upfront, learn to say no, don't get bullied into signing on to something you will regret later and be willing to walk away. At the end of the day, make sure that you are getting a fair deal.

Ghana: Dental Helping Hands

Earlier this year the DHH team was in Ghana where over 5000 patients received essential and life saving dental care.

The purpose of the Dental Helping Hands (DHH) Non-Profit Organization (NPO) is to provide dental services to people who do not have access to dental care, who cannot afford it and who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment. The founders of the organization have a solid mission of giving back to people of our respective communities and countries.

Our latest mission took us to Tamale, Ghana on the continent of Africa, where Dr. Rasheeda Johnson and a team of other dental specialists and volunteers rendered dental treatment to over 5000 patients! 

The DHH team spent four days in Tamale. On day one approximately 1000 patients registered and received essential dental care ranging from extractions, restorations (fillings), dental cleanings and minor surgery. Individuals of all age ranges were seen including children! For the next three days over 4000 patients received dental treatment, were given shoes, toothbrushes, toothpaste and even laptop computers.

Day one: 1000 patients registered and waiting for dental treatment

Patients seated and waiting their turn for dental treatment

Dr. Rasheeda Johnson and the kids after educating them all on proper hygiene and brushing habits. All the kids received fluoride treatment and a supply toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Dr. Rasheeda Johnson with some of the elders of the community

Dr. Rasheeda Johnson hard at work extracting this gentleman's severely decayed tooth.

Dr. Rasheeda Johnson loves the kids!

“If we want to change the world, we must first develop a bright future for the children”

— Anon

In four days the DHH team delivered dental care to over 5000 patients! In addition to that over 500 pairs of shoes were donated, 250 toothbrushes distributed, and three University students received a laptop to help with their studies. 

The DHH team is on a mission to not only improve the dental health but the overall quality of life of the lives we come in contact with . 

If you would like to join us or donate to our cause, visit our website www.dentalhelpinghands.org and follow us on social media: Facebook and Instagram.

Venice, Italy

I love Italy! I haven't been to very many cities, but of the ones I've visited Venice is my favorite. I love the fact that it is small enough to explore in just a few hours and not miss a thing. You can go cafe-hopping for coffee, wine, pizza and gelato; go shopping; sit and relax in the small squares; take a ride on a water taxi or gondola and so much more.

Venice is known as the city of canals. The city literally sits on water. There are no roads and everyone gets around by Gondola, water taxi or by foot.

St. Mark's Square is the heart of Venice. It is always extremely busy with lots of tourists and locals going to and fro. It's the perfect spot to people watch.

Piazza San Marco

St. Mark's Basilica

Busy Busy St. Marl's Square

The Campanile Di San Marco is the bell tower of Veniceand offers the best view of city. Catch the elevator to the top to check out the scenic view! 

The Ponte di Rialto is Venice' most famous bridge which spans the Grand Canal. This is the magnificent view of the city from the Rialto Bride. I took many many selfies (which I will spare you), but it is especially breathtaking at sunset.

A trip to Venice would not be complete without the infamous Gondola Ride! 

The world famous art of Lace Making - Here this lady demonstrates how lace is made. It is so intricate and takes many many years to complete.

Lace making

Lace Making

Beautiful Canals and allies for lots of Photo ops!

FOOD! From Pizza to Pasta to Gelato, I could not stop eating. The taste of authentic Italian cuisine is quite different from what I had been accustomed to.

If a trip to Italy is on your mind, you must have Venice on the itinerary! I took this trip back in 2015 and my memories of this place are still very vivid. If you have questions about tours and accommodations reach out via email.

Turning Your Hobby or Passion Into a Business

I love my profession and honestly cannot think of any other career that I would enjoy as much. My passion lies in creating beautiful smiles and I enjoy and love my patients dearly! However, there are other things that I love, enjoy and am passionate about.

I love scented candles! When I was in undergrad and dental school I remember spending quite a bit of money purchasing candles from bath and body works, Marshalls or TJ Maxx, and Yankee Candle Co. As a cash strapped student, money can get really tight and there isn't much room in the budget for such luxuries. That's when I decided to try my hand at making my own candles.

When I started making candles there was a period where I was only comfortable making them for myself. As time went on I became confident enough to give a few to my family who critiqued them and helped me to perfect it. Soon I was using my own candles in my home exclusively and so were some of my friends and family. Every few weeks I was getting requests for more and more candles. This is when I had an "aha moment" and decided to turn this creative hobby into a business. I found something that I not only loved doing but one that was also producing a profit.

If you are looking to turn your hobby or passion into a business, here are a few tips I figured out along the way that will help to get you started :

1. Do What You Love

When you're at work (or school), what are some of the things you wish you were doing instead? What things give you joy and make you happy? What activities do you enjoy? How about photography? Calligraphy? Painting? For me it was blogging and making candles. I've always had a blog. Writing is a hobby and truth be told, it is also therapeutic, so I've always had a corner on the world wide web. I also picked up the hobby of candle-making because of my love for scented candles. I've since turned them both into profitable ventures, writing for several papers, sites and blogs and founding UnOrthoDoc Candle Co.  Find something that you enjoy doing and think of how you can monetize it.

2. Do It For Free

When I started making candles, I gave them away to family and friends. If anyone was celebrating a special occasion they knew the gift that I would come bearing. I welcomed feedback and criticism and used it to improve my new found skill-set. Take baby steps in the beginning and perfect your craft before turning it into bucks.

3. Combine Your Passion with Your Other Skills

I am an Orthodontist and thus my passion lies in creating beautiful smiles. But, that's not all I'm passionate about. I love traveling, writing, and candle making also. I like to consider myself a bit unorthodox, hence the name UnOrthoDoc Candle Co.  On my site, I was able to combine my love for writing with my love for making candles. Figure out how to create your own success tool kit /secret sauce made up of all the different skills and experiences that only you have. This is what will make you stand out and keep your service unique.

4. Determine Your Ideal Client and Make Connections

Who’s going to pay you for the work you want to do? Who is your ideal client/customer. What’s their lifestyle like? And most importantly, based on who your ideal client is, what value can you bring to them? When that is known, your next step is to identify ways to connect with them. How can you draw attention to your work and provide a product or service worth purchasing? Once your audience is aware of your work and finds value in it, build your portfolio so you can show off your work.

5. Do It For Cheap

Once you've built some value, then you can start to charge a bit for it. When you reach out to paying clients, you’ll be able to present the free work that you did as a sample or a portfolio. Don't charge too much in the beginning until you're 100% happy with the quality of your product.

6. Fine Tuning

Pay attention to the details and fine tune things. Figure out things that you like and don't like, things that are working and things that aren't. I changed the name of my candle company twice before I settled on the current name. I've been through many vendors to source the best products and there are still things that I continue to fine tune today. The devil is in the details.

7. Follow a Pro

Take a look at people who are doing what you would like to be doing. What is their strategy? There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, and learning from those who found success before you doesn’t mean you can’t be original. Copy strategy, but make the rest yours.

8. BONUS: Don't quit your day job (yet)

All of this talk about following your passion could make you feel like you’re ready to put in your two weeks. Don't. You can still keep your day job and have your passion be your side hustle, or vice versa. Take this process slow and have your job fund your new venture (until you start making real money).

Creating a Life You Don't Need a Vacation From

I came across a meme on Instagram that said "Create a Life You Don't Need a Vacation From" and it resonated with me quite deeply. It made me reflect on my own life and ask some really deep questions: Am I living in my purpose? Do I love what I do? If I didn't get paid for my work, would I still enjoy it? Am I living my best life? 

In general my answer is yes to all of the above. However, there are areas where I could certainly be doing better. It made me think of so many people who constantly wait for the weekend or wait for vacation or  holiday until they can finally relax and have some fun. Don't get me wrong, I love a vacation like anyone else. But there is a difference between feeling like you need a vacation and actually just enjoy taking them. I personally try to take a small vacay almost every weekend. It makes me happy!

I don't ever want to be in a position where my adulthood includes days that I'm just trying to get through so that I can get to two weeks of vacation. I don't ever want to be in a position where I am waiting on retirement to enjoy life.

So, what exactly does it mean to create a life you don't need a vacation from? This will be personal to every individual but in general it is striking a balance between :

1. Being challenging enough to keep you stimulated, yet comfortable enough to not feel constantly stressed out.

2. Having a sense of purpose and meaning, to get you excited to wake up in the morning, but having some idle downtime to just be, without having to do.

3. Incorporating things you love to do on a daily basis, but being realistic that there would also be other things that just have to get done.

The key, I've found, is to be intentional in all that you do. You have to wake up each day with a vision backed by intention and fueled with purpose.  

Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life - Anon

Some things that I have incorporated that really helped me in this area, and that might help you as well include:

1. Taking Care of Mind, Body and Spirit - Many times when we feel unhappy is because we are not nourishing an aspect of our lives. Eating healthy, exercising and getting sufficient sleep are very important. Strike a balance! Sometimes we need to turn the tv off, get off of social media and spend time with ourselves. There are a lot of things on the internet that are simply distractions from our purpose. Do not get caught up. Cultivate an attitude or gratitude for the life you have built up to this point, enjoy where you are right now.

2. Stop Complaining - I'm not always good at this and continue to make progress in this area. It is simply useless to complain. It makes you miserable and changes nothing. There is so much to be grateful for! I started keeping a gratitude journal and there is a prayer I keep in the notes app on my phone: " God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I cannot accept, and the wisdom to know the difference." If you're in a situation where you're simply not happy, take steps to remove yourself.

3. Be Intentional - Wake up each day and set your intention: I will be happy today. Today will be fantastic and I will complete all my tasks in a timely manner. No one will steal my joy today. I will work out and eat clean today. I am amazing! I am the best orthodontist and I will create some beautiful smiles today. I am going to rock these 24 hours! etc. You will be amazed at how these simple intentions will alter your mood and set the tone for the rest of your day. Be happy! and take steps to live a life you don't need a break from.