In the past few months, I've been noticing and increasing feeling of unrest in my practice. It occurred to me this past week that the source of my uneasiness is that I am not working with my ideal clients.

Despite the idea that we want to serve everyone, work with everyone, and help everyone get healthy, it truly is unrealistic. I often get patients into my office complaining about their previous provider. My response to that is always that it is nice that there is someone for everyone. We don't all connect on a level that allows us to work together. While I've been saying this for the past few years, somehow it just occurred to me I should listen to this little piece of wisdom.

I have begun to separate myself from those I don't connect with. This serves not only my own needs, but also those of the client. It frees them up to find the provider they can connect with on a level that allows them to achieve the health they may desire.

This is a real learning process for me, because somehow I've always been under the impression that I must see and work with almost everyone who comes into my office. As I redefine how I wish to practice, it's very clear that some of these patients will not fit this new practice paradigm. And that's okay.

The process of separation is something I am still learning how to do. I am discussing it with my patients in person, giving them time to find a new provider. It's interesting in that there are those who don't understand what I'm saying and those who almost seemed relieved for now they are free to make a move. This further clarifies that I am taking the right steps.

All in all, while sometimes I feel a little bit uncomfortable, I find a great weight been lifted off of my shoulders. It is my goal to continue to clarify my vision, my intentions, and continue to build my practice into a business that is fun and feels right. I no longer wish to have a practice that feels burdensome.

And I'm on my way.

How about you? Have you identified your ideal client? Do you know with whom you wish to work? What are the goals of your practice? What is it you wish to focus on?