Hey Fabulous Clinicians,

Looking for a show of hands here: since you moved into private practice, do you feel like your to-do list is never-freaking-ending? Does running a practice make you feel like a circus juggling act?

I thought so. And to that I say:

Congratulations. You’ve arrived.

Probably not the helpful response you were looking for. The thing about private practice puberty (that awkward, sometimes uneven growth stage where you figure out how to make it all work for you) is that we all have to go through it.

But I want to offer some reassurance:

Do you remember what it was like when you were just starting out as a clinician? Was it uncomfortable and basically terrifying? How did you get through it?

In my experience, when we are new to something, we rely on the rules. When I was new to practice, I loved the idea of a framework; a bible for getting it all done. It feels reassuring to focus on each of the moving pieces and their mechanics as we try to make sense of how to do this noble job – which essentially boils down to helping people get their lives back.

Do you also remember what it was like when things changed for you?

When working with clients became intuitive and second nature, when all of your knowledge suddenly lived in your bones? (Yep, I totally borrowed that last line from Brene Brown.) It happened, didn’t it? Even though you never thought it would. And now, the process of being an excellent clinician is something you justdo. It’s what you are.

Let that experience serve as a reminder that this process of running a thrivingprivate practice (I strongly emphasise thriving) is something that you can and will master, too.

All of the moving pieces (the marketing, the operations, the networking, the bookkeeping, the social media, the online/offline presence you’re trying to manage) WILL come together in a way that makes sense.

You can’t escape the puberty.

And… that to-do list never gets shorter. YOU just get better. With time, you will learn how to differentiate between what is essential, desirable and unimportant. And you can learn how to do it in a way that feels authentic and real.

Trust that you will figure this out – do I need to remind you again that you help people get their lives back?

You will get there.

Here’s to your success,

… and a gentle reminder that you don’t need to do it alone. I specialise in helping allied health professionals manage this transition. You can click here to schedule a free 30 minute consult with me – you might discover that with the right support, your thriving practice isn’t so far away.