878. Treat Failure Like a Video Game

Dr. Killeen shares a lesson inspired by content creator Mark Rober and the classic video game Super Mario Bros. Kids instinctively understand that failure is part of learning. They miss a jump, learn from it, and try again. Somewhere along the way, many adults start viewing mistakes as a reflection of who they are rather than an opportunity to improve. Dr. Killeen explores how this mindset shows up in dentistry, from clinical challenges and difficult patient interactions to leadership and business decisions. The most successful dentists are not the ones who never make mistakes. They're the ones who treat setbacks as feedback, make adjustments, and keep moving forward. If you've been hard on yourself after a recent misstep, this episode is a reminder that growth rarely looks perfect. Confidence is built through repetition, resilience, and a willingness to keep hitting "restart" when things don't go as planned.