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What I Learned:

There’s a story of an orthodontist teacher and an ambitious, young resident.

The teacher noticed the resident wasn’t paying attention. The resident wanted to finish school and move on to the next chapter of his life.

So, the teacher stopped his lecture and asked the resident to follow him to a secret room in the back of the residence hall. The room was empty, except for a staircase leading up to a closed door at the top of the steps.

“This is a magic staircase. If you walk up and open the door, it will take you to the next level of your career. But be careful,” he said. Once you go up… you can’t come back down.”

The resident stared in awe and disbelief but was overtaken by his ambition:

‘I’ll climb higher and faster than any other student,’ he thought.

So he climbed to the first floor and opened the door.

He found himself in a great associate position, working with an excellent mentor. He enjoyed his new location, new patients, and practice. But he noticed the same stairs in the back. Life was good… except for the desire to continue climbing the staircase.

So, wanting more, he climbed on.

At the next level, he found himself the proud new owner of his practice and looked upon his logo, team, and fancy car with utmost pride. But his new practice had the same staircase in the back! Life was good… except for the desire to continue climbing the stairs.

So, wanting more, he climbed on.

On the next floor, he was now bustling with a busy schedule and hitting multiple production milestones. The patients, the collections, the practice - all was booming - he had more than he could have imagined! Life was good… except for the desire to continue climbing the stairs.

So, wanting more, he climbed on.

Now, he found himself interviewing for associates and reviewing plans for a fourth location. He earned eight figures, finished complex cases in record time, and entertained offers from multiple buyers at high valuations. Life was good… except for the desire to continue climbing the stairs.

So, wanting more, he climbed on.

Finally, he found himself retired with millions, living by the sea, and only attending his practice a few days a month. Most of his days were filled with golf, leisure, and rest.

But he was confused …..the steps continued.

Indeed, this was the top level—he was at the top of his field, adored by all, wealthy beyond measure, and far ahead of any of the other classmates. What could be higher? Life was good—except for his desire to continue climbing the stairs.

So, wanting more, he climbed on.

But the door to the next level was stuck. He pushed and pushed and pushed and couldn’t get it to open. “I need to know what’s higher than this!!” he yelled.

Using all his might, he broke open the door.

He found himself…

…standing back in his residence hall.

“What?!….what am I doing here?”

But he wasn’t a resident anymore.

He was now a teacher.

And it dawned on him:

The perfect career progression in this role wasn’t linear ..it was circular. 

The point wasn’t to reach the top—there was no top. Each level was a joy in itself, and while there, one could help, treat, and gather as much knowledge and wisdom as possible. However, those who continued upward had a duty to return to help the next generation, bringing them back to the beginning.

His classmates and peers were ahead of, or behind him, based on how he interpreted his spot in the circle.

Excited about what he discovered, he ran into the residency to tell the new residents all he knew.

….However, the residents wanted to finish school and move on to the next chapter of their lives.

Don’t let anyone judge your practice, where you should be, and where you are. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.