At mydentist, we know that balancing a career in dentistry with a busy home life can be challenging. But we also believe in the importance of helping our team develop both professionally and personally. So much so, that one of our core values is: we grow together.
Dr James Madeley is a Clinical Development Advisor (CDA) at mydentist, but he’s also a passionate sea swimmer! Having set himself a personal challenge to push his limits, his experience in the water has changed the way he approaches life and work, showing how small daily goals can make a big impact. We caught up with James to discuss his hobby and how it helps him in prioritising his work and home life.
How sea swimming has changed James’s mindset
"I've always enjoyed swimming in the sea," James commented. "But over the last couple of years, life got really busy, and I made excuses not to do it. This year, I set myself the challenge to get in every single day of January without fail. Now that’s done, I’ve set myself the challenge of 100 consecutive days!"
James has already noticed the benefits. While the physical boost is great, it’s the mental clarity that stands out the most. "Cold-water therapy is a great way to clear your head, and it’s great to feel like you’ve achieved something every day," he commented.
Turning routine into resilience
Juggling a demanding career with personal goals isn’t easy, but James has learned that it’s all about making time for what matters. "It’s made me realise that you can always make time for things, no matter how busy your day is. I live by the beach, which helps, but if you really want to take 45 minutes to do something like swim in the sea, you can. I used to make excuses, but now I know how important it is to fit in the things that make you feel better," he commented.
Stepping outside your comfort zone
James believes that setting yourself a challenge, no matter how big or small, can be really motivating, commenting: "It doesn’t have to be something extreme like sea swimming. Setting goals in your professional and personal life can help push you out of your comfort zone."
For anyone nervous about trying something new, his advice is simple: "Just go for it, don’t worry too much about what other people think! People told me I was crazy for swimming in the sea in January, but I enjoy it, and it makes me happy. It’s easy to stay in our comfort zone, but setting yourself little challenges and achieving them can have a huge positive effect on your mindset. Plus, it makes the winter months a bit more exciting!" he commented.
Your future, with the UK’s leading provider of dentistry
James splits his time between working as a dentist two days a week in the Northeast and his role as a Clinical Development Advisor (CDA) for mydentist. He also works in dental litigation as an expert witness in clinical negligence cases. He commented: "I’ve been a dentist for 12 years now, and no day is the same!"
He joined mydentist eight years ago and has never looked back, stating: "I’ve always wanted to work with people and make a difference, and dentistry felt like a great way to do that. The support we get at mydentist is brilliant, and it’s always been a great place to work."
James doesn’t measure his career by a single big achievement, but instead by the relationships he’s built along the way. James added: "The longer I’ve worked at my practice, the more I’ve realised that the most important part of the job is building relationships with patients and colleagues. Now that I’ve built up that trust, my life in practice is a lot more fun, and the job is much less stressful."
His advice to other dentists is to try and stay at the same practice and grow there, rather than constantly looking for something new: "It’ll make your job so much easier in the long run."
As a CDA, James has developed new skills and built confidence in supporting other clinicians. He commented: "A big part of my role is helping dentists develop their skills and progress. I’ve learned that everyone has different goals and motivations, so I’ve had to adapt how I communicate to support people in a way that suits them best."
Your future, filled with choice
Outside of work, James spends most of his time with his two young daughters, which keeps him busy! He believes a good work-life balance is essential in dentistry, highlighting: "Dentistry can be stressful, so it’s really important to make time for the things you enjoy and to spend time with the people you love. If you can get that balance right, you’ll enjoy work so much more too."
Are you ready to find a career that fits your life? Learn more about life at mydentist as you visit our careers website with more information about opportunities for dentists at one of our 500+ UK-based dental practices.