Do you feel like your Private Practice is running YOU?

Ask yourself – does it feel like your Private Practice is running YOU?

Did you start back in Private Practice this year with really good intentions, but are already finding yourself drifting back into old patterns?

Perhaps you made yourself a little promise that this year, you wouldn’t overwork yourself, or maybe you decided that 2025 would finally be the year you got properly organised, so you wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by admin and could actually make more money.

And yet, here you are now, already feeling like your ‘sparkly’ new 2025 feels much the same as the old 2024.

Why Resolutions Fail in Private Practice

Do you feel stuck, unsure of how to identify what’s holding your practice back or how to get it off the ground? You’re not alone in this. Many clinicians face these challenges, and I’ve certainly been guilty of overworking myself. I can clearly remember struggling to find enough time to work on my practice as well as in it.

It’s human nature to resist the changes that progress requires because they feel uncomfortable, or we perceive them to be difficult or challenging, so we skirt around making them.

As clinicians, we’ve also been conditioned to become ‘people-pleasers’, which means we might avoid having uncomfortable conversations as well.

The Cost of Inaction

The problem with not taking action, is that it comes with a cost—and you might not even realise how much not making a change is costing you in terms of lost revenue, time, and effort.

Here’s how this can show up:

Team Issues: You’re unhappy (or even resentful) about how a member of your team is repeatedly underperforming, but you avoid addressing it for fear of rocking the boat.

Outdated Systems: You know you should ditch that outdated practice software system, but the thought of switching fills you with dread.

You’ve outgrown your staff: The demands of your growing practice exceed what your secretary can manage (but she’s been so good to you and has been with you since the beginning!).

No time for Marketing: You know you should be marketing your practice, but you arrive home exhausted, tidy up after the kids, and frankly, just want to collapse onto the sofa and watch Black Doves.

Pricing Anxiety: You know it’s time to raise your prices, but the thought makes you feel guilty, greedy, or physically cringey.

Emotional Barriers to Growth

Sometimes the barriers to growth are as much emotional as they are logistical.

For example:

Team Reluctance: Staff may not want to let you down or feel too nervous to say, “I can’t do this” or “I don’t want to do this”.

Outdated Mindsets: We can’t take everyone with us. What got you here won’t get you to where you want to go.

Lack of Focus on Growth: Nothing will grow in your practice if you’re not focusing on growth.

Misaligned Priorities: You should be creating a practice that works for you, not shaping yourself into one that doesn’t.

Ultimately, it’s your business and your responsibility.

Take Control in 2025

Change is difficult, especially when it challenges long-standing habits. But small, consistent steps can lead to profound improvements in your practice.

For instance:

Addressing Team Issues: Start by having an open and honest conversation with your team member as soon as you see it’s an issue. Re-frame it as an opportunity for growth and clarity. You want to see him or her succeed, but here’s what’s wrong, and here’s what they need to change to get there. Read Radical Candor by Kim Scott, quit the ‘ruinous empathy’, and be the leader your team needs.

Updating Systems: The longer you wait, the more time you’re wasting on defunct software and processes. Most practice management software companies will handle the transition for you, so the disruption will be minimal. Rip the plaster off and make the change!

Scaling Support: Sometimes, it’s time to add to, or move on from, your existing team. Outsourcing not only frees up your Med sec, but you’ll likely get certain jobs (such as billing) done better because of niche skills and expertise. What got you here, won’t get you there. If your team can’t grow with you, it’s time to find a team that can.

Committing to Marketing: Dedicate one evening a week to focus solely on marketing activities—it’s like building compound interest.

Raising Fees: Communicate the value you provide to patients and drop the need to explain or apologise. All businesses need to raise their prices each year, and people expect it.

Why You May Need a Coach

When you’re running your own Private Practice, there’s a big temptation to let yourself off the hook—after all, nobody’s there to see that you ‘didn’t do the thing you said you were going to do’.

If you want 2025 to be a success, isn’t it time to get a Private Practice coach?

Interested in Private Practice coaching?

Ping me an email at:
css@privatepracticeninja.co.uk to set up a free consultation.​
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