The journey of building a thriving and sustainable independent patient advocacy practice is guided by our inner wellness, effective resource management, and the trust we build with our clients. As independent patient advocates, we are called to balance intense workloads while maintaining the exceptional client service. Today I want to share with you the three fundamental pillars I have found to achieve this balance: prioritizing self-care, streamlining operations, and embracing our unique value. Let's dive deeper into how these principles can transform your practice.

Prioritizing Self-Care: Sustaining Passion and Energy

The cornerstone of any successful practice begins with a healthy advocate. Let’s start by firmly placing self-care on the pedestal it deserves. The demands of advocacy can be rigorous, and to meet them effectively, we must prioritize self-care.

1. Schedule Regular Breaks - I love using my calendar to plan my day, and I want to tell you how important it is to take breaks! Breaks help us feel better and stay focused. I suggest setting aside time every day for fun activities that make you feel happy and relaxed. For me, that means going for walks a few times each day. These walks help me keep my energy up and stay excited about what I'm doing. If you add breaks to your calendar, you can stay busy and happy without getting too tired!
2. Engaging in Rejuvenating Activities - Everyone has their own special way to feel better and get their energy back. Some people like to do art, while others enjoy yoga or meditation. I had a great time with paint pouring, which is a fun kind of art where you pour paint to create pictures. It helped me relax and realize that not every decision is a big deal. Doing these kinds of activities reminds us of what really matters and helps us see things more clearly.
3. Mindfulness Practices - To further center yourself, consider adopting mindfulness practices such as meditation or yoga. This highlights the importance of mental resilience and focus. I invite you to join our "Mindset Monday for Independent Patient Advocates” for weekly doses of mental clarity and fortitude.

Organizing and Streamlining Your Practice: Efficient Resource Management

A well-organized practice is not just efficient; it's essential for delivering superior client services. I categorize this under the "have" pillar for building a profitable and sustainable advocacy practice, this emphasizes the need for effective resource management to maintain smooth operations.

1. Utilize Digital Tools - I advocate for the adoption of digital tools to streamline various facets of your practice. Scheduling tools like Calendly, timekeeping software, and even communication apps can reduce the time spent on administrative tasks. These tools free you to devote more time to client needs and less to paperwork.
2. Standardize Procedures - Standardizing procedures is pivotal, especially as your practice grows. I suggest documenting processes as if you already have a large client base. This forward-thinking approach ensures that your practice can scale efficiently. Use tools like Loom or Zoom to record and save training videos, creating a repository of standardized procedures that can aid in consistent execution.
3. Regular Reviews and Refinements - Efficiency is an evolving target. Regularly reviewing and updating your processes ensures that your practice remains cutting-edge and responsive to new challenges. 

Embracing Your Unique Value: Building Trust with Clients

Finally, showing what makes you special and earning trust is part of the 'create' pillar for building a profitable and sustainable advocacy practice. I believe that your experiences and how you help people make you a great advocate. When you focus on your unique qualities, you can build strong, lasting relationships with your clients."

1. Open Communication and Transparency - Trust begins with open communication. Be transparent about your plans and the options available to your clients. I advise making clients feel supported and understood, ensuring that for each client, their story is heard genuinely, no matter how many times you’ve encountered similar scenarios.
2. Show Empathy and Active Listening - Empathy is crucial in independent advocacy. This means not just hearing but actively listening to each client's unique experience. Treat each interaction as if it’s the first time you’re encountering that particular issue, showing genuine concern and support.
3. Consistent Follow-Through - Consistency in following through on commitments solidifies trust. I want to emphasize under-promising and over-delivering, allowing clients to set realistic expectations and be pleasantly surprised by your reliability and efficiency.

Conclusion

The journey to a thriving advocacy practice is paved with deliberate self-care, efficient operations, and the trusting relationships you build with your clients. By making self-care a priority, streamlining your practice, and consistently embracing your unique value, you'll not only enhance your own well-being but also create an environment where your clients feel valued and supported. These satisfied clients will then become your raving fans, spreading the word about your exceptional services and helping your practice thrive.

Final Thoughts:

I hope this provides you with a solid understanding of how building a healthy advocacy practice will create happy (and returning) clients. If you’ve found these tips valuable, you might also enjoy How to Set & Keep Healthy Boundaries. And PLEASE consider sharing this with a friend in advocacy. All of my posts are crafted to empower you as independent patient advocates. Explore and absorb the wisdom shared, and let it fuel your aspirations. In fact, if you want to be the first to get new information and support as an independent patient advocate, join me in The Circle where we meet LIVE on Zoom every week!