Success means different things to different people.
For some, this might be financial, like creating a 'million-dollar' practice. For others, it’s about academic achievements, for example postgraduate qualifications, a research paper, presenting at a conference or teaching at a university.
While success is relative it’s safe to say it often refers to achieving wellness, health, and happiness.
The question is...what defines individual success?
In this article we propose 10 habits that successful, entrepreneurial Allied health practitioners adopt.
When clients start canceling or not showing up to scheduled appointments, it indicates that they are no longer interested in continuing their treatment.
If you don’t know where you are going, you will likely end up in some place you didn’t plan to be. Setting goals should be the first step for any practitioner wanting to create a successful wellness practice.
Goal setting starts with defining what you want. You should be clear on what your “end goal” looks like. Next, you should have a roadmap of how to reach your goals. Reverse engineer from your end goal to where you are now, creating micro and macro-goals along the way.
It is critical you know your 'why', the reasoning behind why you do what you do. So, when you hit those inevitable roadblocks, when things don’t work out the way you envisioned, you’ll have the strength and the purpose to keep going. Remember, obstacles are simply opportunities to learn what you need to do to get to your destination.
Goal setting is an ongoing process. It's not something you do once and forget about. Regularly review and adjust your goals to reflect changes in your circumstances and ambitions. Successful practitioners often set both short-term and long-term goals, ensuring they always have something to strive for.
Set SMART goals helping track progress and maintain focus. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This method will help prevent overwhelm and keep your efforts aligned with your overall vision.
Successful Allied health practitioners always take full responsibility for their successes, and their failures. They never play the victim. If something doesn’t work out, rather than blame others, they learn the lesson...one more way not to do something. They correct course quickly and move on.
Remember, your energy is best spent in the present and planning for the future, where you have control. The key question is 'how can I make this work'? 'What is the most effective strategy? What can I learn from this?
Resist living in the past and stop making excuses for not being where you should be. Every Allied health practitioner suffers setbacks, but these are not necessarily roadblocks. They are opportunities to build resilience and strength. Regardless of what has happened, you decide what happens next!
Responsibility is also about self-improvement. These practitioners take ownership. They are dedicated to upskilling and improving knowledge and invest in ongoing education and professional development ensuring they provide their clients with the best, most up to date treatment.
Responsibility is about empowerment. It about shifting your mindset from victim to being in control of your destiny. Proactivity improves your professional and personal wellbeing.
Successful Allied health practitioners show strong self-discipline. This comes with practice. Many Allied health practitioners need to be self-motivated, especially when working solo. Self-discipline is about focus. You are less likely to be distracted if you are clear on your overarching purpose and destination. If that purpose is meaningful, it will drive you towards your goals. Discipline means developing mindfulness habits such as meditation, affirmations, gratitude, journaling and daily study among other things.
Discipline also means effective time management. Create a schedule that prioritises your most important tasks and stick to it. Avoid the temptation to procrastinate or get sidetracked by less important activities. By maintaining a disciplined approach to your daily routine, you are more likely to move towards your goals.
Discipline is about maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Successful practitioners understand the importance of caring for their physical and mental health. They allocate time for exercise, relaxation and spending time with loved ones, recognizing that a well-rounded life is the foundation for sustained professional success.
Successful allied health practitioners never stop working on themselves. They understand the natural law of human evolution...to grow and learn new things and that means engaging and attending new and innovative training programs.
Self-development is about feedback. The successful allied health practitioner welcomes constructive criticism, integrating this advice to help self-improvement. These people are not afraid to admit when they don’t know something and eagerly seek out mentors or colleagues who can help them better themselves.
Successful practitioners are teachable, i.e. open to learning new things. They are committed to mastering their own minds. This might be online training, going back to school, attending a training centre or working with an Allied health business coach. The successful practitioner always stays mentally active.
Learning helps you adapt to a rapidly changing world. It helps you stay relevant and capable of meeting the evolving needs of your patients. It helps foster a sense of curiosity and passion for your work, which can be incredibly fulfilling.
The more you learn, the more you thrive emotionally, financially, and spiritually.
Reading expands your knowledge and exposes you to new ideas and perspectives. Reading is a source of inspiration and motivation. Whether you are reading books, articles, or research papers, make a habit of consuming content that enriches your professional practice and personal growth.
The successful practitioner discerns what they consume. Social media news feeds are carefully crafted to provide only the most spiritually enriching content.
Successful practitioners share knowledge. They write blogs, give lectures, or publish research helping contribute to the broader Allied health community. This not only helps others but also reinforces their own understanding and expertise.
Time management is essential to success. Effective time management avoids overwhelm and anxiety and ensures that everything gets done.
Successful health practitioners use task management tools to identify and prioritise what needs to happen today, tomorrow, this week, and this month, all with the “endgame” in mind.
These practitioners understand the difference between a project and a task. They know where they need to focus their energy and how much time they need to allocate. They know their strengths and the strengths of others and therefore, know when to delegate. These practitioners know their timeline: ten years, five years, twelve months, this quarter, this month, this week, and so on.
Effective time management is also about setting boundaries. Successful practitioners know when to say NO, when tasks and projects do not align with their goals. They are protective of their time and energy, ensuring they can focus only on what truly matters.
The successful practitioner regularly reflects on what’s working and what’s not. These people know when to correct course and act quickly. Regular reviewing your schedule and priorities, ensures they are still aligned with your goals. This practice provides a sense of direction and focus, helping you to make speedy changes as needed to stay on track.
Successful Allied health practitioners understand that educated and informed risk is necessary to build a successful Allied health practice. Many practitioners will not take risks for fear of failure, which ironically often leads to failure and regret.
Risk going for the wellness practice and the life you want!
Taking risks involves stepping out of your comfort zone. This may mean investing in new equipment, expanding your services or adopting new technologies. Successful practitioners weigh the potential benefits against the risks and make informed decisions.
They also learn from their failures. Every setback is seen as a learning opportunity, providing valuable insights to guide future actions. This resilience and willingness to take calculated risks are essential for growth and innovation.
Every practitioner who strives to reach their dream practice will suffer setbacks. Some will lose, some will quit, and others will carry on regardless.
Successful wellness practitioners never quit. They keep going, knowing their greatest character is created in adversity. They recognize every downfall as a part of their story and their blueprint for success.
Moving forward is founded upon accessing support and guidance when needed. Successful Allied health practitioners often adopt a business mentor helping them through tougher times.
Persistence is a key trait of successful practitioners. They understand that setbacks are a natural part of the journey and remain focused on their long-term goals. They celebrate small victories along the way and use them as motivation to keep moving forward.
Build a support network. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people helping stay motivated and resilient during challenging times. This network can provide encouragement, advice, and a sense of community.
Successful Allied health practitioners “positively delude” themselves in every moment. What does this mean? Re-framing their mindset with a “I am successful in every moment.” way of thinking. Their default mindset is strategizing the best way forward. They see life as a game of strategy which should not be taken too seriously at the expense of one’s health, family, or general well-being.
This “whatever it takes” mentality affords the Allied health practitioner the mental toughness and self-confidence to not to take anything personally and tackle whatever comes their way in a rational, balanced way.
A winning mindset involves adaptability, being open to change. Successful practitioners are not rigid in their approach. They are willing to pivot and try new strategies when necessary. This flexibility allows them to overcome obstacles and find innovative solutions.
They also practise gratitude. Focusing on what they have achieved, and the positive aspect of their journey helps them maintain a positive outlook. Gratitude can boost resilience and keep us motivated, even in the face of adversity, uplifting us with a positive perspective.
Successful allied health practitioners are clear on their "message", brand, and underlying core values. These individuals are doing what they love, and this encourages them to continue pursuing a practice style they are personally invested in.
When you are aligning with your passion, you are more likely to find satisfaction, motivation, and success. Alignment paves the way to personal enjoyment and fulfilment in one's professional and personal life.
When you do what you love, you are often willing to invest more time and effort into it, leading to a deeper level of expertise and skill development. This can also lead to a greater sense of purpose and happiness, as your actions align more closely with your values and interests.
Doing what you love may involve taking risks or making changes to align your career path more closely with your passion.
Ultimately, when you are doing what you love you prioritise your own happiness and fulfilment in choices and pursuits, thus aiming for a more meaningful and satisfying life overall.
Becoming successful begins with defining what “success” means to you. Whether it involves making money, credentials, reputation, or simply staying healthy, knowing what a successful journey looks like is imperative.
While life is unpredictable, aligning with these fundamental habits will help you grow a thriving Allied health practice.
Why do you do what you do? What is your purpose, your vision? Living a life with a purpose is a stepping stone to living a life that’s dedicated to learning, continuous improvement, and standing up after falling.
The path to success can be challenging. While you can develop these habits by yourself, adopting an accountability partner and a supportive community can be the game changer.
My Allied Health Academy (MAHA) offers allied health training programs which extend a helping hand to Allied Health professionals seeking ways to succeed in practice.
MAHA is an online learning hub offering comprehensive study materials, interactive learning environment, and a supportive community of fellow health professionals.
Take one step closer to becoming a successful Allied Health practitioner.
Visit http://www.myalliedhealthacademy.com or sign up.
Andrew Arnold is an Allied health professional and founder of My Allied Health Academy or MAHA.
