What I wish I knew before beginning my private practice…

Ten years ago I started dreaming about opening a private occupational therapy practice. I was training to run a marathon for Team Diabetes in memory of my mother. When I started to train, I could barely run around the block. I knew just as little about running a business as I did about training to run a marathon. And had just as much experience and ability. Given that I walk faster than I run, it gave me a lot of time to think and dream and plan about this intended private practice of mine. So, I did what many entrepreneurs do, I created a job for myself and hung out my shingle. Fast forward 10 years, I have a team of 10 occupational therapist who work with me in 5 cities. They work as much or as little as they want. That job I created? It is now my passion.

Coming up on 10 years, what words of wisdom would I have for myself if I had to do it all over again?

You are not everything to everyone. Really! And you are not supposed to be. Ask for help from the very best. Not the friendliest or the easiest, but the very best you can find.

Not every idea is a good one. That doesn’t mean you should stop having ideas. Or stop running them by supportive friends who will always cheer you on. But my best advice: run your ideas by people who you don’t think will like them too. That feedback will save you a lot of time and money. Good experience from a bad idea is one thing, but you get to spend your time and money wisely with a great idea.

There is hard stuff and easy stuff. Do the hard stuff first. That means every day, pick the hardest thing on your to do list and just do it.

Don’t go with your gut. Or go with the example of someone else. Go with your detailed research. It isn’t rock, paper, scissors; your research always wins.

Learn to just say no. It means you will have the ability to say yes to something else extraordinary when it comes along.

Be focused. (this will help you to say no). Have a very clear goal or goals. Write them down. Draw them out. Take pictures of them. Tell many people. Tell yourself! Record a video. Funny now as I write, I remember that I carried a clear piece of glass with the word “focus” on it in my pocket during the marathon. That message has been forgotten a few times along the way in my private practice to my chagrin in hindsight.

P.S. I finished that marathon, upright, smiling, with stories and lessons in abundance to share. I plan one day to wrap-up my private practice in exactly the same way.

To connect with Christel, visit tOTal ability’s website.

About the author

Owner and founder of tOTal ability, Christel graduated in 1993 from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has since practiced in Québec, Maine, Florida and New Brunswick with clients of all ages at home, school, work, private clinic, hospital, daycare, summer camp, special care home and nursing home. Christel is a member of the New Brunswick Association of Occupational Therapists, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, The American Association of Occupational Therapists and is registered to practice in New Brunswick and certified to practice in the United States. Christel launched TOTAL ABILITY, the Christel K. A. Seeberger Professional Corporation Inc., in 2002 to share her passion for occupational therapy with the world. Christel was honored with the Evalyn Fleiger award by NBAOT in 2007. She is also a bi-weekly columnist for KV Style Magazine.

Related Posts