7. How allergies affect behavior

BE PREPARED: Remember that behavioral reactions to allergies vary from lethargy, dizzines and fatigue, to hyperactivity, aggression and acting out. Neither is optimal for office productivity or well-being. Is your office environment as allergy-friendly as possible? Do your homework here (http://www.aaaai.org/patients opicofthemonth/0201/default.stm ) and take action.

8. Check out condition in your town at Pollen.com – http://www.pollen.com . BE PREPARED: Today, January 2, worst pollen counts are in Wichita Falls, Abilene, Austin and Waco, Texas, and Oklahoma City, OK. The best counts are in Aberdeen, SD, Akron-Canton, OH, Alamosa, CO, Albany, NY, and Allentown, PA.

You need to know - Central Paris is particularly bad in spring with tree pollen. In Italy tree pollen is bad in February. Tropical Islands are relatively pollen free except after a monsoon.

9. The best laid plans ...

BE PREPARED: By February 1st, many will have broken their New Year's Resolutions which is disheartening. This is nothing new for manager, who is always creating a culture of emotional intelligence, and working on attitude, motivation, and resilience. What happens when you fail? You try again!

10. Time Off, Holidays

BE PREPARED: Absenteeism and disruption. Two holidays - Presidents Day and MLK Day. Then February 1 is Eid al-Adha, Feast of Sacrifice, most important feast of Muslim calendar; Valentine's Day; and then Ash Wednesday falls this year on 25th. Are you staffed? Have you set your policies? Are they in your manual, in writing?

Every patient is an opportunity looking for a place to happen! Make it easy for your patients to give you their feedback. Include a survey once a week from patients seen that day. Often information you receive will show direction and new opportunities for practice. Look and listen for Opportunities!

The old saying "You can't see forest for trees" sometimes prevents us from seeing new opportunities for marketing and growing our business. Ask a patient or a team member, who's opinion you value, to comment on what you are doing or not doing.

They aren't seeing same "trees" you are seeing and can offer a different view....they might even help you to be able to "see forest"!

As you begin "writing" this new year don't lose site of balance. Remember to keep all "pages" in perspective. From time to time you will need to turn "pages" down, walk away and take time to enjoy life and everything that goes with it.

So, what do you want to "write" on your new page this year? It's all up to you! Just get your "keyboard" going, "write" one "word" after another and then--press "enter"!!! After all it's..... A New Year and A New Beginning!