The Multiplier Mindset: Why Subtracting Is the Key to Practice Growth – A Special Snack Episode, EP 233
If you're a healthcare practice owner working harder than ever but still feeling stuck, you're not alone. More than half of practice owners report burnout, and most respond the same way: seeing more patients, adding services, extending hours. But what if the path to practice growth and freedom isn't about doing more—it's about doing less?
In this SNACK episode, Miranda Dorta turns the microphone on Tracy to explore the 10x practice owner mindset framework. This isn't about working 10 times harder or even necessarily earning 10 times more revenue. It's about asking fundamentally different questions that shift you from operator to owner.
Tracy shares why the biggest obstacle to sustainable practice growth is often a single belief: that you're responsible for doing everything. Even practice owners with capable teams and solid delegation systems hit invisible ceilings because of this mindset. The solution? Learning to subtract in order to multiply.
Key Takeaways
The core problem: Practice owners stay stuck when they believe they must personally handle everything, even with capable teams in place
10x thinking means subtraction: Ask "What would I need to subtract in order to multiply?" rather than automatically adding more
The multiplier mindset test: If you could only work 2-3 days a week, would your practice continue to grow? If not, you're still in operator mode
Focus on what only you can do: The highest-value use of your time is activities that require your specific expertise, credentials, or unique skills
The smallest shift creates the biggest ripple: Getting curious about how things could be different if you didn't have your hands on everything is the starting point for real change
Questions Answered in This Episode
What keeps practice owners stuck on the hamster wheel? The biggest driver is believing you're responsible for doing everything in your practice. Even when you have a strong team and have delegated well, there's often still a mindset block that prevents real progress and keeps you in the day-to-day operations rather than leading strategically.
What does 10x thinking actually mean for practice owners? It's not about 10x-ing your effort or necessarily your revenue. It's about asking: "What would it take for this to multiply?" and "What would I need to subtract in order to multiply?" Most practice owners think they need to add more to grow, but sustainable growth often requires removing things that no longer serve your trajectory.
How do I know if I have a multiplier mindset? Ask yourself: "If I could only show up two or three days a week, would the practice continue to grow?" If the answer isn't yes, you're not yet thinking like a multiplier. This question makes every practice owner nervous—even those who intellectually know they should reduce clinical time—but it reveals exactly where the mindset shift needs to happen.
What should I eliminate first when trying to reduce my time in the practice? Start with your clinical load. Look at what's on your clinical calendar that could be handled by someone else on your team. Ask: "What are the activities that only I, the owner, can do?" Tracy shares an example of a board-certified psychologist who eliminated routine ADHD screenings to focus exclusively on high-level DOJ and Department of Corrections cases that required her specific certification. She reduced clinical time while maintaining billable hours by focusing on what only she could do.
Episode Highlights
The "do everything" belief that keeps practice owners trapped in operator mode
Why sustainable growth requires subtraction, not addition—and what that looks like in practice
The multiplier mindset test: Could your practice grow if you only worked 2-3 days a week?
Real example: How a psychologist maintained revenue while working less by focusing on high-level cases
Constraint-based thinking: Using time limitations as a strategic tool for growth
Why every practice owner feels fear around letting go (and why you should do it anyway)
The physical responses you might experience when doing this mindset work
How to identify which systems need attention and which activities require your unique expertise
The importance of backup systems so you're never hamstrung by a single point of failure
The smallest mindset shift that creates the biggest ripple effect in your practice
Memorable Quotes
"What would I need to subtract in order to multiply? A lot of times we think we need to add in order to multiply."
"If I could only show up two or three days a week, would the practice continue to grow? And if the answer is not yes to that, then they're not in a multiplying mindset."
"What are the activities that only I, the owner, can do? That's where your time should go."
"You don't have to let go of the fear—I think you just do it scared. But you have to trust the process."
"Just start to get a little bit more comfortable with the idea of your hands not touching every single process. Just imagine it. You don't have to do anything about it yet."
The path to a thriving practice isn't paved with longer hours and more hustle. It's built on strategic thinking, intentional subtraction, and the willingness to let go of control—even when it feels uncomfortable. If you're ready to shift from working in your practice to leading it, start by getting curious about how things could be different if you weren't touching every single process.
Ready to develop your multiplier mindset? Visit thrivingpracticecommunity.com to schedule a consultation with Tracy and learn how to build a practice that grows without burning you out.
Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment
Miranda’s Bio:
Miranda Dorta, B.F.A. (she/her/hers) is the Manager of Operations and PR at Tracy Cherpeski International. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with expertise in writing and creative storytelling, Miranda brings her skills in operations, public relations, and communication strategies to the Thriving Practice community. Based in the City of Oaks, she joined the team in 2021 and has been instrumental in streamlining operations while managing the company's public presence since 2022.
Tracy’s Bio:
Tracy Cherpeski, MBA, MA, CPSC (she/her/hers) is the Founder of Tracy Cherpeski International and Thriving Practice Community. As a Business Consultant and Executive Coach, Tracy helps healthcare practice owners scale their businesses without sacrificing wellbeing. Through strategic planning, leadership development, and mindset mastery, she empowers clients to reclaim their time and reach their potential. Tracy designs and delivers CME-accredited wellness retreats and workshops in partnership with medical associations, bringing burnout prevention and sustainable practice management to physicians nationwide. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, Tracy serves clients worldwide and is the Executive Producer and Host of the Thriving Practice podcast. Her guiding philosophy: Survival is not enough; life is meant to be celebrated.
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