New Years Resolution For Therapists

I’m writing my first blog post on my BRAND NEW template.  It’s still a work in progress but the simplest way to think about it is that we could ALL lose on our website or blog.  (In this case I got rid of most categories, will be redoing them to the most popular posts, got rid of archives, and other things that just weren’t doing anything but adding clutter.)

This is the Thesis WordPress template and honest to Pete, this is the very first WordPress format that I’m feeling positive emotions about, rather than cursing a blue streak.  It’s extremely user friendly behind the scenes and VERY search engine friendly.  The developers also have a sense of humor because every time you make a change you can chose to press the “BIG ASS SAVE BUTTON.”  It literally says that on a GIANT button.

I am actually pretty against New Years resolutions.  I find most of us have a different, more logical beginning of the new year.  For us parents it’s probably end of August or beginning of September that feels like the new year.  Others may have a different time of year, perhaps from the launch of your private practice in whatever month that was.  And for us in the tundra climates, we’re just trying to fight off the post-holiday madness, cold, and seasonal affective disorder.  Give me the month of May and I’m roaring with new energy.  In January give me a good cup of hot chocolate and a warm blanket.

The biggest takeaway I’ve had in the last few months is counter intuitive.  Less is more, and give more in fewer ways.

The less is more part is simply about craving quality over quantity.  My latest favorite blog expert, Derek Halpern, at Social Triggers, laughs at the idea that you have to blog daily, or really on any hard regiment.  I’ve always felt this way and it’s great to have a big dog expert say the same thing.  Too many therapists are working themselves to the bone, without real proof of success, and feeling guilty if they relax.

The “give more in fewer ways” is the idea of the busy reader, or fan of yours, who has the attention span of a gnat.  How can you synethsize what you have to offer so it’s easier to decide?  I’m constantly trying to figure this out as I am getting weekly solicitations from therapists who want to work with me, but are just at a total loss as to what to do next.  Since I don’t offer generic marketing coaching, at set monthly prices, I’ve got to work on some “pre” work to help therapists figure out where to even start!  It’s not about 18 options, but maybe 3, that really help guide and grow therapists seeking my help.

I’ll be posting more this month as I completed my first semester of graduate school and it doesn’t start up again until the end of the month!  I hope to launch my blog course and a few other things.