There’s a well-known image about juggling life’s priorities. It comes from Brian Dyson, the former Coca-Cola executive, who told Georgia Tech graduates in 1991 to picture life as five balls in the air: work, family, health, friends, and spirit. Work, he said, is a rubber ball. Drop it and it bounces back. The other four are glass.
I think about that image often, because the practice owners I work with are juggling far more than five balls. And the hard part is rarely the juggling. It’s not knowing which balls are glass and which are rubber.
Most of them have already tried to solve it. They’ve tried the planners, the organizers, and the apps. They’ve “tried” delegating, in air quotes, because it works for some tasks and falls apart on others. So they keep holding everything, just a little tighter.
At our most recent Community of Practice gathering, one member shared something heavy. The economy had them rattled. They were watching the numbers dip, and even though their own revenue was holding steady, the angst was loud.
Then another member spoke up. They said they were sorry their colleague was going through it, and then they validated the feeling. They said that angst is part of being an entrepreneur, and that they feel it too. They’ve accepted it as part of the journey, which makes it less disruptive to their wellbeing.
I watched the room change. The anxiety eased. The temperature got warmer. Shoulders dropped, faces softened, and everyone seemed to be breathing more deeply. Nobody fixed anything. Someone simply said, “Me too, and you’re not doing it wrong.”
Where the real work happened
Once the room exhaled, the conversation got practical. We went back to the Time Leadership quadrant, which we revisit constantly, and members started helping each other carve out time. Then came my favorite moment. One member quoted me almost word for word on the “A” quadrant: the work that only you can do and that must be completed today. I sat back, listened, and felt so proud.
Close behind the quadrant discussion was time blocking for focused work, and the importance of treating it like a patient appointment. It’s sacred, and only an emergency could interrupt it.
The wins
One member held a second workshop. Turnout was a little smaller than the first, but the conversion to their specialty program was 100%. That sparked a great conversation about ideal patient profiles and why clarity on fit matters so much when you’re filling seats for workshops, retreats, and specialty programs.
A quieter win: a member is bringing on another provider in a few weeks, and their plan for the first full weekend off is to do absolutely nothing. Giving yourself that grace and space is a skill, and they practiced it out loud.
There’s even been friendly talk of a trip to visit a member in the Caribbean while the rest of us bundle up for winter. All in good fun, and also real connection.
I love hearing how much the gatherings are appreciated. But the ultimate win is when someone takes an idea discussed in the gathering and acts on it.
What changes when you can tell glass from rubber
More time. Room to breathe. Open space for projects, and maybe even other revenue streams. Time for self-care and the hobbies that make you feel like yourself.
Come see for yourself
Our open house lands right on the heels of all this, and you’re invited to both gatherings:
Community of Practice Gathering: Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 to 8:30pm ET. I’ll preview our new Bottleneck Diagnostic, 24 questions that clarify where the bottlenecks in your practice really lie. You’ll receive the link after we adjourn, so you can take it at your own pace, and after taking it, you’ll know what to tackle first. You can also submit a question ahead of time, anonymously or to take the hot seat for coaching in the moment. You’re always welcome to unmute and share, write in the chat, or simply observe. First-timers are often happy observers, and that’s perfectly fine. Register here.
MasterMind Gathering: Friday, November 20, 9:00 to 10:00am ET. This one is more conversational. I facilitate, and members jump in popcorn style, sharing a challenge, a win, or a question whenever they’re ready, with no set order and no pressure to prepare in advance. It’s a chance to think out loud with other practice owners and leave with fresh ideas from people who are in it with you. Register here.
You’ll be in a room of peers who understand what it’s like to be both a full-time practitioner and an owner, with all the pressure and joy that comes with it. And you’ll be guided by someone who listens to understand before offering any advice. My hope is that you leave feeling heard and seen.
If you see yourself in this and want to feel the support of both a professional consultant and your peers, come join us. Registration is required, and these gatherings aren’t recorded for replay, so live is the way to experience them.
About Tracy Cherpeski
Tracy Cherpeski, MBA, MA, CPSC is a business consultant and executive coach who works exclusively with independent healthcare practice owners. She is the founder of Tracy Cherpeski International and the Thriving Practice Community, and the host of the Thriving Practice Podcast — ranked in the top 5% globally and downloaded in 60+ countries.
Her work focuses on helping practice owners slow down long enough to see what's actually happening in their practices, and then build the systems, strategies, and leadership capacity to move forward with clarity.
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