Setting SMART Goals for Your Private Practice
Setting SMART Goals creates the step by step plan of action for your private practice.
We have all had goals we strived for throughout our lives, whether it was in relationship, academic, financial, or career oriented. The ”how’s and when's” are inevitably the hardest part of setting your goals. Creating a system for obtaining goals is most important. Think about when you were a student/clinical intern. How did you set yourself up to complete all of your responsibilities? You probably set-up some goals for yourself. I know your school had requirements for setting up goals for your internship! There was a plan with time and duration. You had a system to help achieve a goal, to become better with learning how to become a therapist. Have you translated this action into your responsibilities of a small business owner? If not, now is the time! SMART goals will support your focus, efforts, and help manage overwhelm in private practice.
SMART Goals
Using SMART goals to achieve long-term goals by integrating a series of short-term goals.
Let's look at what the acronym SMART is and how you can use this system to transform your idea into reality.
S stands for specific.
Meaning, be as specific as possible when defining your goals. This part of the Smart goal should include the answers to the who's, what's, and why's of your goal. Here's an example: "I will learn how to start digital marketing for my practice by the end of the month to help me improve my bottom line by $1,000 for the following month." You have answered the "who, what, how and when" in that example. Remember, specificity is key here. This can help to achieve a long term goal of increasing your revenue by $10,000 for the year.
M stands for measurable.
How can you measure this goal? If you can't measure it, then rethink your goal. See above. Measurable is just that, some sort of numerical component or a measurable action. "I will read 50 pages a day on a new subject." "I will create my social media content calendar for the next two weeks." If the goal isn't measurable then you haven't been specific enough with your goal. You can ask yourself, “what does success look like for this goal?”
A is for attainable.
You should always set yourself up for success!!! If your revenue was up two percent last month, then make your new goal five to eight percent. Don't shoot for 25 percent. Think baby steps here; small consistent steps of actions get you to the finish line. Do you have the necessary skill set or knowledge to accomplish this goal? These are meant to inspire and motivate, not discourage.
R is for realistic.
What does that mean? Keep your goals within the broader sense of your business. Creating a new service for your clients? Then make it a service that you have the scope to implement. Does this service align with the rest of your business goals? Don't lose sight of your company and what it is you do. An example is: " I am offering a new service for (i.e. tele-health) for my clients."
T is for time-bound.
You need to set realistic time specific goals. You want to keep these short in frame so that you can actually achieve them. Don't say, " I will have five new clients." Make it, "I will have five new clients by the end of this month." I recommend starting with big picture thinking called your yearly goals. From there, focus on quarterly goals, then monthly, to weekly, then daily goals. Each category is time specific. Pushing your goals out too far will not help to keep you motivated. Remember that you don't want to get discouraged, you want to stay motivated and positive.
Finally, when you're setting goals for your private practice, remember to use the SMART goal plan to help you achieve these goals.
Setting a series of short-term goals will help you achieve your long-term goals.
Keep in mind the acronym when choosing your goals, keep them specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Keeping these boundaries for setting goals will help you to stay motivated and organized with your private practice.
In your corner!
Francisca
Embark on a transformative journey with Francisca Mix, LPC, BC-DMT, ACS—an experienced confidence consultant in mental health and clinical leadership. With diverse expertise as a mental health private practice consultant, educator, clinical supervisor, and trauma-informed movement therapist, Francisca guides professionals through tailored group programs and impactful one-to-one online sessions.
Her mission is clear—to empower individuals in mental health and clinical leadership by building unshakable confidence, nurturing leadership skills, and rewriting healthy life narratives. Your transformation begins here.
Ready to reach new heights? Book a discovery call NOW and redefine your narrative with confidence and leadership.
