IS IT REALLY WORTH IT....?
Gerda Muller
PRIVATE PRACTICE SUCCESS Founder & Consultant: Helping you build a Self-Running Practice, giving your more time, money and meaning.
As I was reading through the posts in my Private Practice Success for Allied Health Professionals Facebook Page Group this week, I came across an off the cuff comment someone made in a comment threat.
The person stated...
Sometimes I wonder, is it really worth it...?
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
If I had a dollar for every time I had that exact same thought whilst I was building my private practice, I would be living on my very own Necker Island right now.
Can YOU relate...?
This comment was made on a conversation that was discussing 'numbers', more specifically profit margins and the numbers discussed were looking pretty dim.
Pretty disheartening really.
Especially considering the physical, emotional, financial and mental effort involved in building your private practice.
You know what I'm talking about right...?
The long hours you work to keep the boat afloat and everything running smoothly that NO-ONE even knows about, because you do it after hours (after having seen your own 6 or 7 clients for the day) or on weekends.
The guilt you feel for neglecting your marriage and not being able to spend more quality time with your kids.
The frustration and disappointment you feel when all you get from your team is criticism (packaged as constructive feedback) making you feel like no matter what you do it is NEVER enough.
The list really goes on and on...
And again, I so get it, because this was exactly me and for way too long.
The thing is...
This is the life we choose.
We choose the life of a business owner.
This IS what it means to be a business owner.
Irrespective of your field or industry, running a business take balls.
The problem is, we helping professionals, find it very hard to get our balls out to do this thing called building a business.
Because we are empathic.
We are compassionate.
We care and care deeply.
And therefore making hard decision in our business is extremely tough. It literally drains the live source from our inner helper.
And on another note, this puts us at higher risk of burn-out as practice owners.
Please do not wait to hit your version of rock-bottom in your practice (like I had to) before you find your proverbial b a l l s .
Take it from me.
You an be a strategic business owner making the hard decisions AND still be a compassionate human being. It does not have to be either or.
Because if you truely want to pursue this thing called building a long-term sustainable practice that ends up being a sellable asset, then you absolutely must run it as a business.
Today I can honestly tell you that YES.
IT. IS. WORTH. IT.
No, it does not happen overnight.
Yes, it takes balls.
But when you find that sweet spot between compassion and business, then it will be worth it to you too.
Yours in Private Practice Success,
Gerda
PS: Need help in finding that 'sweet spot'...?
If yes, then do consider joining me in The Hot-Seat Sessions which kicks off next week.
This is a Group Coaching & Mentoring Mastermind to ELEVATE your mindset and strategy, as we problem-solve any challenges you are experiencing and continue to strengthen your practice for survival and growth beyond this time.
For all the details or to secure your place, go to: https://www.gerdamuller.com.au/hotseatsessions/
PSS: There has never been a more affordable way to work with me at this level. So check out the website as places are limited.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After starting her PhD on the topic of "Psychologists as Practice Owners: Current Challenges, Coping & Success Predictors", Gerda was appalled at the lack of support for Allied Health Professionals going into Private Practice and decided to do something about it. This was the start of Private Practice Success Australia.
E: [email protected] | W: gerdamuller.com.au