Happy “Other” New Year!

Remember the first days of school in September when you were younger? Sure, there may have been a feeling of loss as the footloose days of summer came to an end, but even those who dreaded the passing of the Labor Day weekend can’t deny that that time of year—new books and supplies, new teachers and classmates, entering a new level of education—brought with it an energizing sense of renewal and possibility. The new year of school really did feel like the start of a new year.

No matter how far we’ve come from those days, we can’t help but feel the change in the air in September. This is literally true in Arizona, where the fall season signals the time for us to come out of our air-conditioned sanctuaries and once again venture into the outside world. Wherever you are, I’m sure you’re feeling it too: the summer wind-down, vacation season (for you, your team and your patients) coming to a close. A “back-to-the real-world” feeling.

But it doesn’t have to be back to the same old routine. Why not try to capture some of that old back-to-school feeling? As you head into this long weekend, try to look on this time, not just as a change in seasons, but as a time of re-evaluation and rebirth. This is a natural time to think about your plans for the coming months—for your continuing education, for your practice, for your life. Time to get excited about the “new” year.

The 2010/2011 season starts now. Happy New Year, everyone.