This series of posts is about 4 big ways that I’ve seen many private practitioners lose their footing (and face overwhelm) when they are growing their businesses. We’re taking them one at a time so I can give you some ideas as to how to defuse these potential landmines…
#2 Getting “Lost” In Your Fears
Fear keeps you from reaching your potential. How will you ever know how successful you and your practice can become, if you are letting your fears hold you back? Are you willing to live your life never knowing how good you can be because you allow your fears to paralyze you?
A couple of years ago I my son Jason blessed me with a surprise of a lifetime. He checked off something big from my bucket list and took me to Tony Robbins’ Unleashing The Power Within event. That’s right — we walked over hot coals that weekend and it was AMAZING!!
Anyway… one of the greatest lessons I learned from Tony Robbins was to dance with my fear. Fear is inevitable; insecurity abounds. It’s okay. You can feel all of that, and do it anyway — you just have to dance with your fear.
Here are a few examples of dancing with some of the fears you might face in private practice…
You can get lost in this FEAR: “What makes me think my skills are strong enough for me to really help people; I’m afraid I won’t do a good job.”
Or… you can dance with it: Remind yourself about your training… your experience… your supervision… and your continuing education. Empower yourself to do your best work; make sure you get supervision when you need it. Forge solid collaborations with psychiatrists and other health professionals working with your clients. Trade your insecurity for the satisfaction you feel as you watch your clients grow.
You can get lost in this FEAR: “I’m afraid I’m going to goof up this whole HIPAA thing and get in trouble; I’ll keep working for someone else and let them face that liability!”
Or… you can dance with it: Find out what is needed to run a business that is in line with the most recent regulations and laws. Use support services (billing, EHR, etc.) that take HIPAA ad HITECH seriously, and who are willing to sign business agreements with you that guarantee they will protect your clients’ PHI just as you would. It’s easy to get lost in all of the changes and what is expected. Don’t be afraid to reach out for consultation and support and recognize that compliance is an ongoing process.
You can get lost in this FEAR: “What if I contact those physicians and schools and I don’t know what to say, or they think I’m being pushy?”
Or… you can dance with it: Calling on referrers can certainly induce anxiety. Remind yourself that marketing is not about getting clients — it is about getting noticed. The goal is to build relationships and credibility — both of those are best done when you are helping others. Zig Ziglar used to say that you can get what you want, if you help enough other people get what they want. Going into those meetings with an attitude of “what can I do for you” really changes the game.
Once you start dancing with your fear, you can enjoy the motivating benefit that comes along with it. Then you’ll take back your chance to find out just how good you can be!
<This series is just a sample of what you get when you work with me. Click here for more strategies about how to make more money and succeed in private practice: http://www.InfluentialInsidersCircle/bys Join us now: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!>
Great article; it really hits home with me! I love the idea of dancing with my fears. What a great way to change your thinking.
@Chelsea – Thanks! I’m so glad it hit home. Keep dancing Chelsea!
The schedule is full, I am comfortable with my marketing campaigns, and I am feeling that I am good at what I do (most days); tried taking insurance and working just fee for service (clients stay longer with insurance so now I take it again) but I am just not bringing in enough money – I can’t see more clients effectively, (I believe in quality work – see ~30/wk) but taxes are killing me – the costs keep going up and the income stays the same or goes down. Bad weather wipes out client hours, groups difficult to maintain – subletters leave, admin help costly but necessary, and I wish I could work with you, but frankly I can’t afford you (and I get it that I probably can’t afford not to!). Fear – you betcha. I am scared to death that I am going to run out of options.
Michelle
@Michelle – I’m sorry to hear that you are “scared to death”. You seem committed to your work and you say your book is full. Those are two great reasons to take that fear and put it to work for you. No doubt, this is a very scary time in your business; that can make it hard to see the big picture of what it going on. You say you can’t afford me, but I believe an objective consultant might help you see things you might not be seeing — might help you move into directions that will increase your revenue (and/or decrease your expenses). I encourage you to reach out so you can once again act (rather than react), and take charge during this difficult time in your business. I would be honored to help, but most important is that you reach out to someone to help you turn this around.