Why “Work-Life Balance” Is Failing Practice Owners

I need to bust a myth that’s been making orthodontists miserable for years.

The myth of “work-life balance.”

You know the story: “If I could just find the perfect balance between work and life, everything would be great. I’d be less stressed, more present at home, and finally happy.”

Here’s the problem: Balance is a myth. Integration is reality.

And there’s a huge difference.

Balance suggests that work and life are opposing forces that need to be kept separate and equal—like you’re constantly trying to keep a scale level, adding and subtracting time from each side.

But that’s not how life works for practice owners.

Integration means creating a life where work enhances your personal fulfillment, and your personal values drive your business decisions.

I learned this the hard way—both in my own practice and helping hundreds of orthodontists over the last 15 years. You see, I didn’t start as a business coach. I started as a relationship coach. That’s where I developed my expertise in helping people create lives that actually work.

Most business consultants focus on systems and processes. I focus on the whole person. Because here’s what I’ve discovered:

Your practice problems are usually life problems in disguise.

Dr. Keith Kohrs came to me because his wife wanted to step back from the practice to focus on their daughters. The “business problem” was replacing her skills. The real issue? Creating a transition that honored their relationship and family priorities.
Anna Fagala was wearing every hat in their practice—HR, marketing, bookkeeping, you name it. The “business problem” was delegation. The real issue? She couldn’t see how to step back without feeling like she was letting Kyle down.

This is where most consultants miss the mark completely.

They’ll tell you to “set boundaries” or “leave work at work.” But when you own a practice, your livelihood, your team’s jobs, and your patients’ care all depend on your decisions. You can’t just flip a switch at 5 PM and forget about it.

What you can do is create integration where:

Your business reflects your values
Your team understands your vision for life, not just profit
Your decisions are driven by what matters most to you
Your success at work enhances your life at home

Here’s the real truth about successful practice owners:
They don’t achieve work-life balance. They create work-life integration.

But here’s what nobody talks about—the loneliness of leadership.

Every major decision lands on your desk. You’re the one who has to fire good people who aren’t the right fit. You’re the one who lies awake at 3 AM wondering if you made the right call. You’re the one who has to stay strong for your team while dealing with your own doubts.

Decision fatigue is real. And it’s crushing practice owners who don’t have the right support.

That’s exactly why I include relationship and life coaching in my programs. Because your practice will never exceed your personal capacity for leadership and decision-making.

The investment is $3,500 per month for six months. Just you, your office manager, and me. We’re not just fixing your business—we’re upgrading your leadership operating system to create integration between who you are and how you work.

This isn’t available in my usual programs. The 6-Month Leadership Upgrade is something I’m offering to just six people who understand that real success means more than just numbers on a spreadsheet.

If you’re tired of trying to balance everything and ready to integrate what matters most, let’s talk.
Click here to schedule your 6-Month Leadership Upgrade Discovery Call

Only if you’re ready to look at the whole picture—not just the business metrics.

Proactive, Productive and Profitable,

Dino