The Messy Middle in Orthodontics (AKA: “What In The Chaos Is This?”)

Let’s talk about the messy middle. That glorious stretch of time where you’re too far in to turn back, but not far enough to feel like you’ve got it all together. You know the stage:

• You’ve hired a new team member but forgot to make a training plan.

• You implemented a new system, but somehow created more chaos.

• You’re pretty sure you’ve had a conversation about that… but no one remembers it.

Sound familiar? Welcome. You’re in the messy middle. Grab a coffee. You’ll be here for a bit.

What Is the Messy Middle?

The messy middle is not the shiny launch day or the victorious ribbon-cutting of a new location. It’s the “we’re in it now” phase. It’s when your Google Drive is bursting with half-finished SOPs, your team group chat has both fire and eye-roll emojis, and your brain has 47 tabs open at all times.

It’s that magical space between big dreams and nailed it, also known as “where all the learning (and occasional ugly crying) happens.”

Why It’s Actually a Gift (No, Really)

Here’s the truth: if everything always ran perfectly, you’d never need to grow, adapt, or innovate. You’d also be terrifyingly bored.

The messy middle forces you to:

• Figure out what actually works

• Have those not-so-fun-but-totally-necessary conversations

• Get scrappy, creative, and occasionally bribe your team with coffee and tacos

It’s not always pretty. But it is powerful.

Surviving (and Thriving) in the Middle Zone

If you’re currently wondering whether to scream into a pillow or rework your onboarding plan again, here’s what I’ve learned from years in the orthodontic trenches:

1. Laugh Often, Preferably With Your Team

You’re building something real, and real things are rarely tidy. Create a culture where people can admit mistakes, suggest ideas, and laugh together at the chaos. A good sense of humor is cheaper than therapy.

2. Get Clear-ish

Perfect systems don’t exist. But clarity helps. Make sure everyone knows:

• What success looks like

• Where to find the answers (hint: not in your head)

• Who’s doing what (and when… and how… and why)

3. Take Care of Your People (Including Yourself)

That middle manager is trying to hold it all together? Support them. That assistant who’s training the new hire while juggling two chairs? Thank them. And you, yes you, take a dang lunch break.

4. Zoom Out

In the middle, everything feels urgent. But most things aren’t emergencies, they’re just puzzles. Keep your eye on the long game. You’re building a legacy, not just solving Tuesday.

Messy = Failing (not true)

If things feel a little chaotic right now, congratulations, you’re probably doing something brave. Starting, scaling, leading, evolving, it’s not for the faint of heart.

The messy middle may not be glamorous, but it’s where the magic happens.

And one day, you’ll look back and say: “Remember when we thought that was the hard part?”

Then you’ll laugh. And maybe cry. But mostly laugh.