What No One told me About Running a Practice Part Two

This is a continuation from Part one, and the list continues!

• Even though I am amazing and brilliant, it will take longer than I think.  Somehow I thought starting a business would be easier.  Even though colleagues all said it takes years to have a full practice, I was convinced it would happen overnight since I know I am a good doctor.  Shouldn’t the rest of the world know that too?  Shouldn’t patients just show up so I can help them become their better selves?  I’m sure it will only take me 6 months to have a thriving and busy practice since I am good at what I do.  In reality, it has taken work.  And a lot of it.
• I should have done more than just read about how to market and run a business.  I had to get out there, meet people, and get integrated into my community.  I had to get off my computer and get out there.  I took a class instead of just reading.  I turned off the computer and introduced myself to other business owners. Even though I don’t like sales, I had to sell myself and my skills.  People need to understand and relate, and that is best done in person. Candy Crush Saga is not going to help me get more business in the door.  I had to get out there. The old fashioned way. I needed to learn to embrace and love marketing.  And I mean really.  It did not come naturally at first, but it gets easier with time, especially when I love what I do.
• There is no ‘right’ way to run a business.  I got a lot of advice starting out.  The truth is that we all need to learn by trial by fire.  A plan is always a great template, but I guarantee the universe will take you on a few other paths along the way.  I could fight it or embrace it.  I will admit that there are times that I fight it, kicking and screaming, only to have to put my ego aside and dive in.  In some ways, learning to be a businesswoman has been one of the hardest challenges in my life.  And that’s coming from someone who did medical school, a master’s degree, and worked at the same time.
• Even if someone had told me all this (and a few did in the beginning), I still had to learn some of the lessons the hard way.  There were some amazing breakthrough moments, and there were some days I wanted to pull my hair out.  Yet I knew this is what I want to be doing, and it is the way I can contribute to the world at large, so I persevered.  It’s really worth it at the end of the day.  It’s the hardest job I have ever had, and the most rewarding.  What have been some of your lessons?