WTF, I Traded My 9-5 for a 24/7?! A Dietitian Entrepreneur's Guide to Scaling Without Losing Your Sh*t
When you took the leap from your 9-5 to start your own private practice, you likely dreamed of freedom- flexible hours, a better income, and work that felt invigorating. But now, instead of feeling liberated, you’re stuck in a 24/7 grind. You’re frustrated and tired…
I feel you- you’re not alone.
Scaling a private practice while maintaining your sanity isn’t just possible; it’s the bare minimum to stay in this game.
In this article, I’m sharing my top nine tips to help you regain control, avoid burnout, and build a thriving practice that doesn’t feel like it’s running you into the ground.
These insights are just a taste of what you’ll learn in my December masterclass, “WTF, I Traded My 9-5 for a 24/7?! A Dietitian Entrepreneur’s Guide to Scaling Without Losing Your Sh*t,” happening this Friday, December 20th. If you can’t make it live, you can still RSVP to snag the replay! Let’s dive in!
1. Learn to Prioritize Like a Pro
In private practice, everything feels freakin’ urgent: answering emails from prospective clients, following up on referrals, scheduling clients, dealing with insurance, and juggling admin tasks. But, not all tasks carry the same weight.
The key is mastering the art of prioritization by identifying what's mission-critical and focusing your energy there. Otherwise, you lose energy and momentum on lower-priority tasks!
Try This:
Adopt the Prioritized To-Do List: Start by writing down your tasks (yes, all of them). Then, organize them into three categories: high, medium, and low priority. Begin with high-priority tasks and commit to completing them before moving on to medium, and so on.
Outsource Low-Priority Tasks: Can someone else answer emails, do the billing, or create social media content? Delegating isn’t a luxury- it’s an essential leadership skill for growth, avoiding micromanaging, and learning to let go.
2. Take Control of Your Calendar
Before diving into that to-do list, let’s get real about your calendar. Without a solid plan, you’ll end up distracted, spinning your wheels, and blaming me when the to-do list doesn’t stick. ;)
Try This:
Time-Block Method: Time-blocking is a game-changer for productivity. If you’re unfamiliar with it, here’s my favorite article to get you started. This article breaks down how to structure your schedule and optimize your schedule right now.
Batch Tasks: The basic premise of time-blocking is that you assign specific blocks of time in your calendar for different activities: clients, admin, marketing, personal time, and so on. The boundaries you put in place in your calendar help you stay more focused and effective while you are working.
Protect “Deep Work” Time: Set aside 1-2 hours weekly for high-level business strategy. Do this when you are most productive- like first thing in the morning if that’s your sweet spot or at the end of the day when things are quiet. This is your time to work on your business, not in it. Protect this time fiercely, as this is where your growth happens.
3. Spot Yellow Flags Before They Turn Red
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight… It creeps in slowly with subtle signs, like missed meals, skipped workouts, or canceled plans. And pulling yourself out of this rut? That unfortunately takes a dang long time (trust me, I’ve been there a few times… ugh)!
Try This:
Complete Your PCI (Personal Crazy Index): This exercise helps you spot early warning signs of burnout, like working late nights or responding to emails in bed. A therapist introduced this to me back in 2019 and it was a game changer for both my personal and business life.
Set Non-Negotiable Boundaries: After getting to know your PCI, set some non-negotiable boundaries. For example, no work after 7 p.m. or no work emails on weekends. Stick to these. Once they’re broken, it’s easy to let blurred boundaries become the norm.
Schedule Reflection Time: Spend 10-minutes at the end of each day to “download & digest.” This is your time to reflect on the clients you saw, the work completed, and what went well or not so well. Use this time to update your to-do list so you’re always one step ahead of tomorrow.
4. Make Decisions That Reflect Your Values
In the past, I made business decisions that sounded great or that others convinced me were the “right” move. Deep down, though, my gut feeling was telling me that something was off. Looking back, my intuition was screaming, “This is not you!!!! This doesn’t align with your values, Maggy WTF!”
As more client referrals and business opportunities roll in, it’s easy to say yes to everything. But overcommitting, especially to things that clash with your values, is a one-way ticket to feeling unfulfilled and burnout.
Try This:
Know Your Values: Brene Brown nails it with her “Living Into Our Values” exercise. It’s the perfect starting point for defining your core values to guide your business decisions. Remember: no growth is worth compromising what matters most to you.
Pause for Reflection: Before you commit to anything, ask yourself: Does this align with my values? Or is this one of those slippery decisions that could pull me off track? Get to know your gut and practice trusting it- it knows the answer better than your heart or mind.
5. Build a Foundation of Self-Care
Running a business is stressful and sometimes when you’re the boss, it’s also unavoidable. But the way you manage that stress determines whether it becomes a stepping stone or a stumbling block in your entrepreneurial journey.
Try This:
Therapy is Your Friend: Normalize talking to a therapist or coach to process challenges and strategize solutions.
Reframe How You View Self-Care: Think of it as a business strategy, not a personal indulgence. It’s not about staying afloat but keeping yourself in a healthy, sustainable mental space.
Practice Microdoses of Self-Care: Even small moments, like a 5-minute walk, listening to 2-minute relaxing song, or doing a quick breathing exercise can reset your brain during a busy day.
Set Realistic Capacity Limits: Know your daily or weekly client capacity to maintain quality care and protect your mental health. You’ll often figure this out the hard way (unfortunately by overdoing it) and then adjust to where you find balance.
Saying “No” is a Form of Self-Care: For example, say, “I don’t see clients in the evenings, but I’m happy to do an early morning or refer you to a colleague who has evening availability.” Saying yes when it’s against your boundaries only leads to resentment, and that helps no one.
6. Streamline Your Systems
Time is your most valuable resource. The more you can automate and simplify, the more freedom you’ll gain.
Streamlining your systems is key to working smarter and not harder, so you can scale and delegate. It takes time to set up, but trust me, the payoff down the road is worth it.
Try This:
Embrace Technology: Use tools like scheduling software, EHR platforms, and automated billing systems to reduce admin time.
Create Templates: Develop email scripts, intake forms, and standard operating procedures. This way you’re not repeating yourself to new hires or reinventing the wheel every time.
Document Your Systems: Once you have a system in place, write down the process for how you do it. Outline protocols for everything- onboarding a new RD, offboarding one (yes, you’ll eventually need this), and any routine tasks you handle. This will help you scale, delegate, and ensure things run smoothly when you need to step away.
7. Balance Financial Security with Growth
Many dietitians juggle private practice alongside a traditional job to maintain a steady income, but this can feel like a never-ending hustle. Even if you’re full-time in your private practice, you’re likely juggling parenthood, a relationship, or simply trying to maintain work-life harmony.
Try This:
Calculate Your “Freedom Number”: Figure out the revenue (or client sessions) you need to comfortably leave your 9-5, hire your first RD, promote an RD to a manager, or step back from your practice. Write it down, keep it visible, and track your progress weekly. Keep this number front and center.
Diversify Your Income Streams: Add passive income options like digital products, online courses, or affiliate links. Or, add other income streams through packages, meal planning, or corporate wellness. This helps smooth out cash flow and reduces reliance on one-on-one client sessions alone.
8. Leverage Community and Mentorship
Scaling your practice doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Learning from others’ experiences can save you time and headaches.
Try This:
Join a Professional Network: Connect with other dietitians who understand your unique challenges. Have you heard about the Dietitian Boss Network? If not, check it out here and consider hanging out with us!!
Hire a Coach: A business coach can provide personalized strategies and accountability… Oh, fancy meeting you here! I’m happy to show you the ropes or refer you to the right person. Consider me your BFFL biz partner.
Build a Referral Network: Collaborating with other health professionals can reduce competition and boost your patient load. I love utilizing Facebook groups for this, so consider joining a group specific to your niche or location.
9. Remember, You’re the Boss
Ultimately, you created this business for you. It’s easy to measure success by client numbers or income, but true success is how your business allows you to fully help others and create a job that lets you live the life you want.
Try This:
Take Regular Breaks: Step away from your business to recharge and gain perspective.
Reassess Your Goals: As your practice grows, your priorities may shift. Be open to evolving.
Set Non-Financial Goals: These could include taking Fridays off or being home for family dinner every night. This will likely reflect your values and priorities in self-care discussed earlier in this article.
Celebrate Small Wins: Every milestone matters, whether it’s landing a new client or finally taking a full weekend off. Don’t forget to celebrate it and not overlook it.
Ready to Scale Without Losing Your Sh*t?
If you’re tired of feeling like you traded your 9-5 for a 24/7, it’s time to make a change. Join me on Friday, December 20th, for a raw and relatable masterclass where I’ll share everything I wish I knew about scaling a private practice- without sacrificing my sanity.
You’ll walk away with tangible resources and actionable strategies to:
Prioritize like a pro
Spot and avoid yellow flags
Balance multiple roles
Master time management
Let’s turn “WTF” into “HELL YA!” before the new year starts. Sign up now, and let’s build a business (and life) you’re excited about!