Part 2 of 2
I admit I like being something of a contradiction in terms. Although I am social and extroverted, I was not popular in high school. I was friendly towards everyone, but I was friends with only a few people.
It may surprise you to know that I was in the Math Club my senior year–we even won the regional Math Bowl! I was also big into ballet, and I was captain of our school’s Dance Team as a senior. While my friends developed senior-itis, I took fifth year Spanish and Physics. And I loved doing my math homework; I couldn’t wait to get home and start on it!
I knew I was different in eighth grade, because I discovered power tools in shop class and I took everything in my house apart so I could reconstruct it. It was then I thought about becoming a dentist. (Well, it was either that or construction, but those hard hats make for bad hair days!) By college, I had recognized what an enigma I was, and I was involved in the “granola crowd.” I mostly just advocated for being green and recycling often, choosing to avoid Birkenstocks and patchouli oil. I was Vice President of my sorority and remain active in the Denver chapter of our alumni association.
I have always been okay with not winning achievements in popularity. As a dentist, I measure success from my patient base, my family and my outlook on life. On my refrigerator is a handmade card a patient made me several years ago. It says, “Dr. Meyer is awesome! Love, Aidan.”
It might not say 5280 Top Dentist, but I’m Aidan’s Top Dentist, and the feeling of achievement I get from knowing that is more than enough for me.
How do you measure success, in your personal or professional life? I’d love to know.
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