Your Definition of Freedom
What does freedom mean to you?
For many people, freedom may mean living the life you want, being safe, pursuing your passion, working in a profession you love and even being financially free …
For most of us, the freedom to do what we really love is one of our highest priorities and a goal that we strive for.
That’s why you got into business, to have the sense of freedom that comes from running your own Podiatry practice and being your own boss.
No matter what your definition of freedom is – there are many ways you can achieve it in your own practice.
Freedom means clarity and at the Podiatry Hive, this is the very first message we impart to every single member that comes on board.
Your WHY is the fundamental reason your practice exists. Understanding your WHY allows you to work how you want to, and to surround yourself with individuals that not only improve who you are as a person – but contribute to the community you are creating.
… Whilst knowing your WHY does not free you from the everyday stress of running a business, it can help you clearly define WHO you are helping, WHAT effect you have in their lives, and HOW you can deliver your services to your patients.
Being clear on your WHY means staying true to your values and having a strong focus on the right thing to do.
Working on your own terms or the freedom to escape the 40-hour work week, coupled with long weekends with family or relaxing in a hammock by your favourite beach … Living the dream.
It sounds LIKE a dream doesn’t it?
One major issue that most business owners suffer from is not having enough time.
You started a practice to give you more time, but it still takes up 40+ hours a week (plus all the admin tasks)
Being free means having the capacity to work on your own terms, setting your goals and achieving them (even the goal of having more free time).
Feeling like you have to do everything is a trap that each Podiatry practice owner must overcome.
You will never be able to have freedom in your life and business if you are burdened with tasks that are not tied to your WHY…
Still doing your books, preparing patient reports, or laying out that ‘new brochure design’ … always with the fear of missing or forgetting something.
It’s time to hire or train someone (maybe a Virtual Assistant?) to take these tasks off your hands in order to free your mental space for the tasks that will bring you closer to your WHY.
People usually associate freedom with CHOICES. Being able to make a choice that is allowed by your freedom.
So – does this mean that the MORE choices we have, the more FREEDOM we have?
Having more options, more choices – means using your time and energy to make more constructive decisions about things that will leave you with more free time, and a much more efficient and effective practice.
Making these decisions however is not an easy task – but you will know when you’ve made the right choice, when everything feels right. Learn to trust in your instincts.
Clarify your WHY, and focus your energy on all those tasks that will bring you freedom to live out ‘that’ dream.
til next time
Greg Gunther
