You became a physical therapist to help people, but if you’re in private practice, the majority of your day is often spent on other tasks. The truth is, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to successfully manage a business and treat large numbers of patients. However, there are some steps you can take to make the business side run smoothly so you can get back to doing more of what you love.
Tell the strongest possible story. Make sure you’re in a convenient location without too many nearby competitors. Then figure out what makes your business unique and get that message out there every way you can. You’ll spend considerably less time and money marketing if you’re in the right place and have a strong, simple message.
Reward your staff. The more you encourage your staff with praise, reward them with money and perks, and empower them to make decisions, the less time you’ll spend managing.
Delegate when necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask others to take on certain chores. If you’ve hired the right people and set proper expectations, they will happily comply.
Use the right tools. Regulations, taxes, and insurance are all challenging areas that can be a huge time suck. Having the right tools can make a world of difference, turning a manual task that takes hours into an automated one that doesn’t require you at all.
Focus on the important things. You know too well how short the day is when you’re trying to accomplish a million things. Make sure you prioritize your day (do it by half days if necessary) so you spend the majority of your time on things that directly affect your business goals.
And, finally, remember to take care of yourself. Recognize that you are not a superhero. Schedule some time off to relax—when you return, you may see fixes for issues or new ways to increase efficiency.
