The Beginning
Can you feel it? That excitement? You’ve had a break – finally. And had time to percolate all those ideas that you want to get started on. You are so totally motivated your mouth edges and teeth hurt from champing at the bit. You set yourself up at your desk feeling the surge of all of those ideas rush to your head. This year is the year. You are going to set the world on fire with your private practice success.
So let’s get started with your list…
Is it something like this?
- Sort out my book keeping once and for all
- Create a book-keeping schedule so I don’t freak out at the last minute lie every other year
- Create a list of articles I am going to write this year
- Set time aside to write those articles
- Schedule those articles into a regular e-news instead of the sporadic virtually non-existent version I did last year.
- Re-write my web text to improve SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
- Find out what Search Engine Optimisation means.
- Go out to connect with other practitioners…write a list of those I want to meet.
- Set aside regular time to study more on my modality
- Create a study group
- Start posting regularly on social media
- Oh wait that means I need to create and find content to be able to do that..add that to the list…hang on this is the list
- Work on my client retention
- Set up some sort of client analytics so I can keep track of things like new client retention.
- Look at that online scheduling software I have been putting off for the past 8 months
- Make sure I don’t get distracted by things and finish what I…..
- Make sure I am only working 5 days a week this year…but man I have a lot of things to get through
- Overwhelm myself and slowly rock in the corner shaking (tick)
Okay, so that’s not working so well is it?
Actually, it didn’t work that well last year either or the year before. How can you get on track and resolve all of these issues without losing your mind?
Managing Overwhelm: Your Practice Plan
Overwhelm is a sneaky little critter. It can get under your skin and cause havoc if you let it. First off, reduce the pressure to make everything run perfectly. Life is always a work in progress – and so is your practice. It’s great to have goals as a point to aim for your private practice success. Deadlines help make it more realistic, but remember the world will not end if you don’t make it. You will however have put a dent in your to do list and that is always a good thing.
“In essence, keep it all in perspective.”
The Importance of Structure
Lets apply a little structure to your list and create a practice plan:
- What do you want to achieve this year and why?
More clients to be able to help more people understand their health better
Greater financial stability
Improve my skills in my modality
More time to be with family and friends - How can you achieve this?
Improved client intake
Improved client retention
Better financial tracking
Time allocated to study cases
Clearly defined work/ home time - Break them into sub sections
Practice marketing
Client management
Admin/ Time management
Example:
What now?
It’s important to create the time in your weekly calendar to achieve your list. Example:
The put your plan into action – and refine it as you go.
What does this process give you?
Set decent time slots to complete important tasks. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to fit these tasks in around clients. In the end it doesn’t work and it drives you crazy. So create a schedule that creates enough time for clients (example: 30 hours) – then you have enough time to do the things that make your clinic and your life run smoothly (example: 12 hours) and time with family and friends.
Take good care and may 2020 be your best yet.
Author: Jeff Shearer, Ethical Practice
10+ years helping natural medicine practitioners to greater practice success
(whatever ‘success’ is to them)
