Small Steps, Big Impact: Building a Purpose-Driven Year for My Doctors and Family

How Consistent Habits and Meaningful Relationships Help Turn Goals into Reality

January always feels like a fresh start, but there’s one day this month that really stands out to me: National Quitter’s Day, which falls on January 10th. This is the day when most people who’ve made New Year’s resolutions tend to give up. It’s a bit of a sobering thought, but it’s also a reminder that setting goals is just the beginning. It’s easy to get excited about a new year, but without the right mindset and the daily effort to back it up, those goals can quickly fall off track.

What I’ve come to realize over the years is that growing my business and truly making progress toward my goals — has less to do with setting big resolutions and more to do with the small, everyday habits I build. It’s the little things we do consistently that make the biggest difference over time. Goals can feel like distant dreams, but when we break them down into smaller actions, they become more manageable. Those small actions, or habits, are what really make the difference.

For me, a big part of growing Berkeley Dental Laboratory this year is focusing on the relationships we have with the doctors we work with. It’s not just about meeting new doctors — it’s about building and nurturing relationships with the doctors we already have. I know that if I continue my habits of reaching out, checking in, and offering support regularly, those connections will continue to strengthen and help the lab grow.

I remind myself everyday how essential it is to take time to engage and stay in touch with our doctors. Whether it's a quick call, an email, or just offering a listening ear, those consistent interactions are what makes a difference. Our business is built on trust, communication, and strong partnerships. Dedicating time every day to maintain and grow these relationships will ensure we continue to serve our community of doctors at the highest level.

My goal is to experience every day with presence and to step into my day ready to take action easily when opportunities come. I know in order to do that; I will need to begin my day with the morning habits that I've found works for me. Every day before the sun comes up, I do my morning ritual along with working on my fitness. Then after the kids go off to school and before I head to Berkeley to work at the lab, I work on scheduled cases at my second lab I have set up at home. Because of these practices, I already win the day before I get to the lab, and it allows me time during the day to take the right action steps to grow my business and to get home early to spend with my family. This focus on presence helps me stay grounded and ready to tackle whatever comes my way, keeping me connected to my goals and my purpose.

And while daily habits are key to success, there’s always a deeper purpose behind them. For me, that purpose has always been my family — and it’s what keeps me going every day. I want to create a life for my family that’s full of freedom and security — knowing they’re taken care of. That’s what pushes me to continue learning, growing, and doing more each day.

At the end of the day, the goals I set are always tied to that purpose. It’s not just about building a business; it’s about building a life that supports my family. And to make that happen, my morning ritual and staying physically fit, checking in and staying connected with my doctors, and making time to build relationships — are the daily habits that will keep things moving forward.

As you reflect on your own goals this year, I encourage you to think about your purpose and the small daily habits that will get you closer to those goals. It’s those little steps, taken consistently, that will make all the difference.

Here’s to making 2025 the year we turn our dreams into reality — one habit at a time.