Working Less to Accomplish More for Private Practice and Clinical Leadership
Updated 7/16/24. Originally published 5/25/23
In the fast-paced world of mental health, whether you own a private practice or are a clinical leader, it's easy to fall into the trap of busyness without intention or direction. We often find ourselves overwhelmed by countless tasks and goals, unsure of what truly matters and how to achieve it. The myth that being busy equates to productivity can leave us feeling unfulfilled and stuck. But what if there was a way to break free from this cycle? What if, instead of reaching and grasping for success, we could work less and accomplish more?
Review & Renew
The Review and Renew Focus is a business practice that supports success, sustainability, balance, and joyful productivity while maintaining life/work balance in private practice and leadership. This CEO practice mindset work entails becoming focused on what matters most and what you want to accomplish. So many times, we have so many things we want to do. We get overwhelmed with what to do, when to do it, and how to implement it. Sometimes, we don’t know what we want, which creates purposeless-passionless efforts that fall short and leave us feeling unfulfilled. Who wants to feel like that!
As a result, we are left in a standstill, nothing gets accomplished, and we fall into the trap of negative self-talk. More often than not, we buy into a myth that being busy means we are accomplishing lots of things. Unfortunately, that is the case for most, especially in a therapy practice. So let’s make a change.
The Truth About Your Practice
When it comes to starting or growing a private practice or leading a clinical team, what usually happens is that we end up reaching and grasping to stay busy without intention or direction, or worse, we lose connection to purposeful work. Reaching and grasping, reaching and grasping, over and over and over. What are we left with? A full plate of piecemeal activities that lack follow-through from beginning to middle to end, which lacks purpose, passion, and peace of mind. How do you actually work less to accomplish more? It’s time to do it differently! Gain clarity with purpose and begin to create a clear plan of action. It’s time to DREAM BIG!
Workshop Time
This is an exercise that provides time to review your desires, teaches you how to prioritize, and maintain focus throughout your projects until the finish line. Tap into your CEO mindset and dream BIG!
Work Less to Accomplish More Exercise
Gather needed materials: You'll need a pen and paper, a quiet space, your calendar, and 15-20 mins to complete this exercise.
Big Dream Braindump List: Write a list of what you want to accomplish and what is important to you in your life & business (or life & your ability to lead your team) at this stage in your life. This step will only work if you give yourself the permission and the belief that everything is attainable, and everything that you write down on this list is possible.
Time Bound List Review: Imagine there is a time limit on your life. You have 2-3 years left to live. With this in mind, review your list and ask “does this energize me or drain me?”. Circle what energizes you and renew your list with only the energizing items.
The Top Dogs: Review your updated list and ask, “what energizes/excites me the most?’ List the top two.
The To-Do List: Create two columns with your Top Dogs. List every task/action item you need to do to accomplish this top dog project.
Develop a Success Plan: Planning tomorrow, today is a common strategy to maintain momentum, direction, and clarity. Schedule 1-hour focus time for your top dog projects, a minimum of 3 times per week. Success requires you know your strengths and soar with them. Ask yourself, “Am I an early bird, or a night owl?” Schedule your focus time accordingly in your calendar. Also, plan in the afternoon when you still have brain/cognitive abilities, don’t wait until the end of the day when you are tired.
Focus-Time Action: Identify three tasks from the To-Do list, and take it one step further. Identify the task, the time, and location where you will accomplish the task.
Amazing work! In only 20 mins, you have determined what matters most and a success plan to get to work.
Declutter your Recurring To-Do list
You have a plan for your Top Dog to-do list, but that doesn’t mean the recurring tasks simply go away! Things like marketing are ongoing and can really bog you down when you are trying to work less to accomplish more. Here are a few tips for when you really need to cut down on work, but still deliver stellar marketing content.
Note: These should be used within a larger marketing plan, not AS your marketing plan.
Upcycle Old Material
Repurposing old content is an excellent strategy to save time and breathe new life into existing materials. Identify a few themes that repeatedly come up in your work, and use old content, such as blogs, social media posts, or newsletter content, on a rotating basis. Be sure to update the content each time, or tweak a graphic here and there. By revisiting old themes with new knowledge and insights, you can keep your content fresh and relevant. This approach not only helps in maintaining a regular posting schedule but also leverages the hard work you've already done.
Upcycling old content can be very useful during busy seasons, or when you are planning to take time away from work.
Using AI in Content Creation
AI can be a powerful tool for generating ideas and content, but it’s important to remember that it needs a human touch to connect with your audience. While AI can help with drafting, editing, and optimizing your content, make sure to add your personal insights and expertise to ensure it resonates with your readers.
Accomplish!
Working less to accomplish more is about being intentional with your time and energy. By reviewing and renewing your business practices, setting clear goals, and focusing on what truly matters, you can achieve greater productivity and satisfaction in your professional life. Incorporate repurposing strategies and AI tools to streamline your workflow, but always remember to add your personal touch. Embrace this approach to create a thriving practice and a balanced life.
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.
