Terrence Soule Balances Work and Family

Like most professionals, Terrence Soule has a very busy work schedule. He is a private practice dentist who also supervises students from the University of Florida as an adjunct professor. In Dr. Terrence Soule’s practice, it is not unusual for him to have several emergency appointments or surgeries scheduled unexpectedly. He also works hard to stay in communication with his students and be prepared for his many roles. With his busy work schedule, Terrence Soule admits that his days can be hectic. However, he still makes sure to leave time for his family. How does Terrence Soule stay available to his patients and students while balancing his commitment to his family?

 

Terrence Soule is married, and he and his wife live in Longwood, Florida. They have many shared hobbies, including hiking, cooking, and going to community events. They also attend church together each week. To make sure that their busy work schedules don’t take over family time, Dr. Terrence Soule and his wife have established certain “family times.” Says Terrence’s wife, “It sounded a little crazy at first to have to plan family time so much, but it really works. We’ve agreed that certain times of the week are for us to be together with friends, with family or at home.” For example, Terrence Soule is often on call for patient emergencies on a weekend, but always turns off his phone during church. He says, “The office staff knows that I’ll check in after church, but they also know that during that one hour a week, I’m not available.” Terrence Soule also tells his students that they can reach him by email on Saturdays, but that he doesn’t reply to professional emails on Sundays. “My students are understanding. They plan ahead, and I think they like knowing they won’t get email from me on the weekends, either.”