10,000 hour Rule? Try 20!

Did you ever hear that it takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to be really good at something? I first came across this concept when reading Malcom Gladwell’s book ”Outliers”. He quoted research and case studies showing that athletes become great; musicians become famous (like the four guys from Liverpool); and smart guys become Bill Gates- primarily because they spent 10,000 hours perfecting their skills. While listening to a Ted talk ( The first 20 hours—how to learn anything) one day, this guy named Josh Kaufman tells me that the 10,000 hours is only if you want to be exceptionally good- top of your field- great. If you only want to learn a new skill, hobby etc. it only takes 20 hours or 45min a day for about a month. Wait a minute, I just wasted 300 hours at calligraphy class?! As most of us have limited free time between work, carpooling kids and repairing the house, enjoyable things like new hobbies, sports and game skills or playing an instrument, get postponed or cancelled due to unrealistic expectations of time involvement. Josh Kaufman says there are 4 steps to this amazing 20 hour technique: 1) Deconstruct the skill – break it down to small pieces and practice the hardest parts the most 2) Learn enough to self-correct – use DVD’s, YouTube etc. 3) Remove practice barriers or just plan time to practice 4) Practice at least 20 hours. Josh demonstrated this theory by putting in 20 hours of time learning to play the ukulele . I assure you – after only 20 hours of ukulele practice, he is among my TOP 5 FAVORITE UKULELE PLAYERS EVER! So have at it you future accordion, bridge, pickle ball players, yoga, cross-fitters, chefs, wine connoisseurs, ballroom dancers, gardeners, fishermen, artists, writers, volunteers- you can do it with less time than you ever imagined! Good luck on your new endeavors and thanks, Josh!

Dr. Legler’s top 10 Tips for Choosing a Career

Career Advice from Legler Orthodontics:
I am often asked by kids during dental health month or high school/ college students shadowing me in my office for suggestions on choosing a career.  Here we go:

10.  Take off the earphones and put down the ipod, cellphone, videogame or other distraction.

  

  9.  Get out of the house and observe – watch other professionals in various jobs or careers.

  

  8.  Ask questions about their job and even see if you can spend a few hours observing.  In my    experience from age 10 to 16, I thought I wanted to be a Veterinarian…until I spent a day in the office!

  7.  Ditto tip 10

  6. Once you identify a career that might be of interest – time to do your homework!  Now you should engage the internet and investigate education requirements and grades you must have, appropriate colleges and expenses.  Most importantly, the job market or openings in that field and where they may be located.

  5.  Repeat tip #7

  4.  Follow your passion:  but only if you can make a living doing it.  At age 17 I loved drumming and wanted to be in a rock band.  I was passionate about pole vaulting.   For me personally, my life would have been much different and less fulfilling had I pursued either one of these as a career choice.  I can still drum and be in a rock band… and have a really great day job!

  3.  It’s ok to change your mind.  My freshman year of college I was a business major.  After taking intro biology and having a phenomenal teacher (War Eagle!),  I realized that a career involving science was more interesting to me than the business courses I would be required to take.

  2.  Repetir paso numero cinco!

and Dr. Legler's #1 Tip for Choosing a Career is...

1.  As long as you work hard, constantly strive to learn more and improve your knowledge, always seek to learn from others who know more than you and most importantly, get along well with others, you will succeed at whatever career you choose!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SURF BUCKS! 

                                          

Our fabulous patient rewards program, SURFBUCKS is celebrating it's 2nd Birthday!

For the past two years, our lucky Legler Orthodontics patients have been earning points for everything from good brushing to referring their friends for braces. Our patients have redeemed their points for gift cards to cool places like Abercrombie & Fitch, Cheescake Factory, Aeropostale, Best Buy, Target, Bass Pro Shops  and Outback Steakhouse.

Dr. Lee Legler and his entire staff at Legler Orthodontics are committed to making sure their patients enjoy their orthodontic experience.  The Surf Bucks program has really encouraged better patient compliance and enthusiasm about their treatment. Patient involvement is such an important part of achieving that perfect bite and smile! 

Check out our Surf Bucks program on Facebook by going to our page and clicking on the Surf Bucks Patient Rewards icon. You can read what our own patients think about the program and our office. Just another reason to love it here at Legler Orthodontics and get that "Legler Smile"!

At Legler Orthodontics, we love to hear about your summer adventures!  Post pictures of yourself in your Legler Orthodontics T-Shirt and tag us on Facebook or Instagram.  The picture that gets the most likes will win 1000 Surf Bucks!

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 and teaches people that the planet belongs to everyone, so everyone is equally responsible for protecting it. Many events are demonstrated worldwide to raise awareness about how we can show support for environmental protection. It is a day to inspire appreciation for the Earth’s environment and learn the many issues that can threaten it.

Here at Legler Orthodontics, Earth Day is not only important to us on April 22 every year, it is extremely important to us every day! All three of our offices are located on the Treasure Coast of Florida: Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie. The beautiful waterways of this area are what attracted Dr. Lee Legler to start practicing here in 1991.  His love of surfing is even carried through in the theme of all our offices!  So keeping our waterways on the Treasure Coast clean and safe for the generations of “Legler Smiles” to come is quite important to all of us here at Legler Orthodontics.

Please join us this Earth Day and every day to help protect our waterways of the Treasure Coast of Florida.  You and  your family can make a difference today!  Check out the links below and like them on Facebook to see how many other organizations and people from our community are contributing and what you can do to help!

River Kidz (www.riverscoalition.org)

Environmental Learning Center (discoverelc.org)

Environmental Studies Center (escmc.org)

Harbor Branch (www.fau.edu/hboi)

Ocean Research & Conservation Association (teamorca.org)

Indian Riverkeeper (www.indianriverkeeper.org)

Treasure Coast Manatee Foundation (treasurecoastmanateefoundation.org)

We would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment or let us know on Facebook by writing or posting a photo!

Happy Earth Day from the team at Legler Orthodontics! 

Do I Need to Wear a Mouthguard?

Springtime is time to remind our patients at Legler Orthodontics to protect their teeth while out on the field playing sports. Whether you are playing football, hockey, boxing, lacrosse, or any other contact sport it’s very important to have a proper fitting mouthguard.  Mouthguards will help cushion your teeth from impact that might otherwise cause broken teeth. In addition to preventing broken teeth, mouthguards can prevent jaw fractures, cheek and lip injuries, mouth lacerations and reduce the severity of concussions. Additionally, orthodontic patients need to take extra precautions and wear a mouthguard that is specifically for braces.

According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high school athletes and adults have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events annually.

If you are planning on participating in spring sports, it’s imperative to have a proper fitting mouthguard. We have even seen cheerleaders and gymnasts with injuries to their teeth from lack of mouthguards!  So everyone go outside, enjoy your sports, and WEAR A MOUTHGUARD!!

Dr. L 

National Children’s Dental Health Month

     It’s that time of year again! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! At Legler Orthodontics we truly enjoy raising awareness about the importance of good oral health, especially at a young age. For the past 21 years Dr. Legler has been visiting elementary schools all along the treasure coast and teaching children the importance of developing healthy habits at an early age.

     Your smile is one of your most valuable assets; therefore an early start to developing good oral health habits and scheduling regular dental visits will give children a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. We also want our patients to understand the importance of oral health while wearing braces. Poor oral hygiene can increase the length of time in braces and also significantly compromise the final results. Some of the risks involved when not keeping teeth and gums clean while in braces include, gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, and permanent white spots known as decalcification. Even though brushing and flossing requires extra time and effort while in braces, your beautiful “Legler Smile” at the end of treatment will be well worth it!

     The team at Legler Orthodontics is more than happy to help explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical aspects of your Orthodontic Treatment. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call! For a guide to brushing and flossing with braces, please visit our website at www.bracesatlegler.com. 
Dr. L 

Am I an INVISALIGN® Candidate?

The first day of Spring is just around the corner, a time of fresh beginnings and bright energy!  We all have one face and once smile that shows our energy and happiness.  So why hide your smile?

Invisalign® is a great option form straightening your teeth without metal braces.  Invisalign® is the clear alternative to braces with amazing benefits.  You may be wondering "Am I a good candidate for Invisalign®? 

Every patient is unique and therefore has an individual treatment plan for correcting their bite and giving them a beautiful smile.  Dr. Lee Legler, Board Certified Orthodontist, will provide a complimentary consultation to let you know which is the most effective treatment plan for you.  And since Dr. Legler is an Elite Invisalign® Provider, he is one of the top 1% doctors in the country to help you with your treatment.

Invisalign® takes a modern approach to giving you the smile you always wanted.  Learn more about Dr. Lee Legler and Invisalign® treatment by visiting www.bracesatlegler.com

Keep Smiling,

Dr. L