Thinking about opening your own private practice? Way to go! Health Affiliates Maine is proud to help behavioral health professionals as they venture into entrepreneurship, making that potentially overwhelming experience a little easier to navigate.
Signs You’re Ready to Run Your Own Business
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. However, odds are that if you’ve been thinking about it, you know deep down that you can do this! Here are some signs to look out for when considering if the time is right to strike out on your own:
- You can think of better, more efficient ways of doing things
- Your values no longer align with your employer’s or company’s values
- You feel limited at your current position
- You want more freedom and flexibility in your lifestyle
- There’s a strong market or need for your unique services and abilities
- You’ve outlined or thought about a business plan
- You have support or know where to find it, such as creating a network of colleagues
- You believe in yourself and are excited by the idea of owning your own business
Characteristics of an Entrepreneur
Although not everyone wants to run their own business (and that’s okay!), there also isn’t only “one type” of person who would be successful at it. Here’s a list of a few common attributes in entrepreneurs:
- You’re passionate
- You’re independent
- You’re organized
- You’re not risk-averse
- You’re resilient
- You’re not afraid to go it alone or ask for help
If you don’t immediately identify with any of those characteristics, it doesn’t mean that you couldn’t run your own practice if you wanted to. We suggest taking time to reflect inward on why you want your own business, what you would offer and how you would start taking steps to get there.
Feeling ready to open your own private practice? Take a look at five ways you can market your new business. Marketing yourself and your business may sound unnecessary (you already have clients!) but it’s important for maintaining your professional relationships, attracting potential clients, and keeping your new business relevant.
How Not to Become Overwhelmed When Starting a Business
We won’t lie—your private practice won’t happen overnight, and you’ll likely face challenges and hard decisions along the way. When you feel overwhelmed or stressed, try the following:
- Take a walk or do an exercise workout
- Try yoga or mediation to calm your nervous system
- Turn on “do not disturb” on all your devices to limit distractions
- Consider reaching out to someone in your network for advice or support
- Mark a day on your calendar that’s just for you (take yourself out to lunch, do errands, go shopping, go the spa, anything to distract yourself from overwhelm and allow yourself to reset)
When running your own private practice, there will be days when you’re firing on all cylinders and other days when you may question your business decisions. Both are normal and a part of being an entrepreneur! Take a few moments to remember your why. Why did you leave your previous employer? Why did you want to be your own boss? Why did you decide to serve clients your way? These answers will remind you of the vision you have for your private practice and will re-inspire you.
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