The Timing and Rhythm of Business in Private Practice
Private practice, just like any other business, will have a timing and rhythm. Your business will have seasons and change and an ebb and flow that you must learn, understand and embrace to set yourself up for long-term success. This means that your private practice journey will be full of opportunities and challenges, so learning when to move forward, when to pause, and when to pivot can make all the difference.
Finding the Rhythm of Your Practice
Every private practice has its own rhythm, a cadence that reflects the specific needs of your clients, the broader context of your community, and your current balance between work and personal life. Some periods might be filled with the excitement of new client intakes, workshops, and creative ideas flowing. Other times, the pace may slow down, where you have to reflect, regroup, and reassess your strategies.
As you grow your practice, it’s essential to tune into this rhythm. Pay attention to patterns in client demand, the effectiveness of your marketing strategies, and even your personal energy levels. By understanding the ebbs and flows of your practice, you can better anticipate challenges and seize opportunities when they arise. However, it’s important to remember the only constant is change, so anticipate the ebb and flow pattern to change over time as well. Your business needs will evolve year to year, and that is to be expected.
Timing is Everything
One of the most important lessons in running a private practice is recognizing that not every idea will launch immediately. I’m going to say that again. Not every idea will launch immediately. You may have a brilliant concept for a new service offering, but the timing might not be right due to external factors, such as market conditions or your current workload. No matter how much you push the idea, the world is not ready to receive it and it is in no way a reflection of the value of the idea. It’s important to be patient and not force things prematurely. Sometimes, it’s okay to put an idea on hold and revisit it when the timing is better.
For example, you might plan to launch a group therapy program, but find that client interest is low at the moment. Rather than scrapping the idea altogether, consider regrouping and trying again later when the demand might be higher. Timing isn’t just about waiting for the right moment; it’s about knowing when to pivot, when to adapt, and when to stay the course.
Seizing Opportunities: To Risk or Not to Risk
On the other hand, there will be times when opportunities present themselves before you feel fully ready. Maybe a highly respected colleague invites you to collaborate on a project, or a unique client niche emerges that you hadn’t initially considered. These moments require a balance of risk-taking and caution.
As a private practice owner, you need to decide whether to take a leap of faith or play it safe. Both approaches have their pros and cons, and the right choice depends on various factors, including your current resources, your long-term goals, and your tolerance for risk. If you decide to take the risk, it’s important to be prepared for the potential challenges and setbacks that may come up. If you are a little more risk-averse, playing it safe might give you more stability, but it could also mean missing out on opportunities that could propel your practice forward.
Questions to Ask Yourself
If you are having a hard time deciding when to take the leap and when to play it safe with a new opportunity, ask yourself some key questions about your current resources, your long-term goals, and your tolerance for risk and more to help you evaluate what to do.
Ask yourself:
1. What Are My Current Resources?
Do I Have the Time? Can I realistically fit this opportunity into my current schedule without sacrificing the quality of my existing work or my personal well-being? How might this opportunity impact my current clients, projects, or responsibilities? Will something suffer if I take this on?
Do I Have the Financial Resources? Will taking on this opportunity require a financial investment? If so, do I have the funds available, or would it stretch my finances too thin?
Do I Have the Necessary Skills and Knowledge? Am I equipped with the skills and expertise needed to succeed in this opportunity? If not, how steep is the learning curve, and do I have the capacity to quickly acquire what’s needed?
Do I Have the Support? Will I have the support of my team, mentors, or peers if I decide to pursue this opportunity? Are there people I can turn to for guidance?
2. How Does This Align with My Long-Term Goals?
Is This Opportunity Aligned with My Vision? Does this opportunity align with my long-term vision for my career or business? Will it help me move closer to achieving my ultimate goals?
Will This Opportunity Open New Doors? Could this opportunity lead to future opportunities that are aligned with my long-term goals? Is it a stepping stone to something greater?
Is This a Detour or a Shortcut? Could this opportunity potentially divert my focus away from my primary goals, or does it offer a faster route to achieving them?
What Is the Long-Term Impact? Will saying yes to this opportunity have a positive, neutral, or negative impact on my long-term goals? Will it help build a foundation for future success or create potential roadblocks?
3. What Is My Tolerance for Risk?
What Are the Risks Involved? What are the potential risks of taking on this opportunity, both professionally and personally? Are there reputational, financial, or emotional risks to consider?
How Comfortable Am I with Uncertainty? Am I okay with the unknowns that come with this opportunity? How do I typically handle situations where outcomes are uncertain?
What Are the Worst-Case and Best-Case Scenarios? What’s the worst that could happen if I take this opportunity, and can I live with that outcome? Conversely, what’s the best-case scenario, and how likely is it to occur?
Do I Have a Contingency Plan? If things don’t go as planned, do I have a backup plan or a way to mitigate the impact? How will I manage setbacks or failures?
4. Am I Personally Ready for This?
Am I Excited or Overwhelmed? Does the idea of pursuing this opportunity excite and energize me, or does it feel overwhelming and stressful? Your emotional response can be a significant indicator of whether this is the right move.
Am I in the Right Mindset? Do I feel mentally and emotionally prepared to take on this challenge? Am I ready to commit the necessary energy and focus?
What Are My Motivations? Why am I considering this opportunity? Am I motivated by fear of missing out, external pressures, or is it something that genuinely resonates with me and my aspirations?
By carefully considering these questions, you can make a more informed decision about whether to seize the opportunity or wait until you’re better equipped to take it on. It’s important to weigh both the potential rewards and the risks, keeping in mind your current resources, long-term goals, and tolerance for uncertainty.
The Importance of Flexibility and Adaptation
No matter how well you plan, the rhythm of your private practice will change over time. New challenges will arise, the needs of your clients will evolve, and the landscape of mental health care will shift. To thrive, you must be flexible and willing to adapt your strategies as needed.
Sometimes, this might mean rethinking your business model, diversifying your services, or investing in continuing education to stay ahead of industry trends. At other times, it might involve taking a step back to reassess your goals and ensure that your practice aligns with your personal and professional values. The truth is, even when you feel your business is going well, you should still be checking in regularly to make sure you are still effectively working toward your goals. You will still need to review and renew your business plan, even if it is heavier on the review than the renew.
Embracing the Journey
Ultimately, running a private practice is a journey filled with ups and downs, fast-paced sprints, and slow, reflective pauses. Embracing the rhythm of your practice means being patient, staying attuned to the timing of opportunities, and being willing to adapt when necessary.
Remember, it’s okay if not every idea takes off immediately, and it’s okay to take calculated risks when the moment feels right. By learning to dance with the timing and rhythm of your practice, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success and create a fulfilling, sustainable career in mental health.
So, take a deep breath, tune into the rhythm of your practice, and trust that with time, patience, and a willingness to adapt, you’ll find your groove and achieve your goals.
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.
