Taking Care of the Provider & the Business Owner

Many of us are at work all day, taking care of everyone and everything else. Many business owners are also hard at work all evening and each weekend getting caught up on billing, policies & procedures, marketing or just finishing the day's paperwork.

Practice owners are entirely aware that you generate money only when you are seeing patients. So while taking a week off for vacation or CME sounds like a good idea, generally we think again, especially in the early phases of our business. Is there enough cash flow to cover your time off? What about employees? Do you have coverage for your practice?

That said...after totally unplugging from my practice, the websites, and the phone this past weekend, I realize I've waited too long to take the advice I give to women on a daily basis. I think this metaphor will make it clear.

Outside your front door, you have many pots of flowers, and they all need watering. Think of yourself as the watering can. Every day you give those pots a drink. When the can is empty...you refill it. Thus you can continue to water the flowers and they thrive. You feel great as well, because you are filling up your can (self).

If the watering can runs dry...the flowers die. There is no water to nourish them. In other words...if you do not take care of yourself...you cannot possibly take care with your clients, friends, family or your business.

Take some time to unplug yourself. As a business owner and health care provider, there are lots of demands on your time and energy. Taking care of self will ensure you have the energy, clarity and peace to meet the needs of your business.

Your task then is to identify ways in which you can care for self...filling your own can. Find ways to take time off...even if it's a few hours or a day...just to care for self. Really, it's not selfish, but self care.