You started your nutrition practice because you love helping people transform their health. But somewhere between the third insurance denial, the client who no-showed again, and the 11pm Sunday night you spent meal planning for someone who won't follow through, the love affair ended.
Your practice has become an obligation. You're going through the motions. You're busy but not fulfilled. You're making money but not enjoying the work.
This isn't sustainable. And February—the month literally dedicated to love—is the perfect time to fall back in love with your practice.
The good news? You don't need to blow everything up and start over. Small, strategic changes create disproportionate returns in joy, energy, and satisfaction. Here are 13 tweaks that make running your business feel good again.
Note: Not all suggestions will work for every practitioner. Choose the ones that align with your practice model, values, and current business phase.
The problem: You're typing the same responses over and over. "Here's how to read a nutrition label." "This is what I mean by a palm-sized protein portion." "Yes, you can eat out—here's how."
The fix: Create message templates in Practice Better for your top 10 most-repeated explanations.
How: Practice Better → Messages → Create Template → Save your perfectly worded responses → One-click send when needed
Time saved: 5-10 hours per month (seriously)
Joy gained: Responding to client questions no longer feels like Groundhog Day
The problem: You've been charging the same rate for two years. You've gained experience, credentials, and results, but your pricing hasn't reflected that.
The fix: Increase your rates for new clients starting next month.
The psychology: Even small increases signal to yourself that your work is valuable and your expertise is growing. It's an act of self-respect.
Implementation: Update your website, send an email to your list ("Starting March 1, my rates will be..."), grandfather existing clients at current rates.
What you'll discover: If communicated transparently and graciously, most clients will be happy to pay a little extra for the high quality of care you provide. For the edge cases where clients object or decide to leave, you can create a “Before You Go” offer that encourages them to stay on at a discounted rate for a limited time.
The problem: Your calendar is 100% client sessions and admin tasks squeezed into gaps. You never have uninterrupted time to create, think, or work on your business.
The fix: Block every Friday morning (or whatever works) as "creator time"—no client sessions, no meetings, no exceptions.
Use it for: Creating content, building programs to scale your practice, improving systems, strategic planning, learning new skills, or literally anything that moves your practice forward. Alternatively, you could use this time to invest in clinical skill development/continuing education units (CEUs) to keep up with evidence-based practices.
Protect it fiercely: This is the time that transforms your practice from hamster wheel to actual business.
The problem: You focus on what's not working (the client who dropped out, the consult that didn't convert) and forget all the ways you're succeeding.
The fix: Create a "Wins" note in your phone or Practice Better. Every Friday, log three wins from the week.
Examples:
Why this works: You're training your brain to notice success instead of dwelling on problems. On hard days, read this list.
The problem: You're scrambling every Monday to figure out what to post on social media, scrambling every week to write your newsletter.
The fix: Dedicate one afternoon per month to creating ALL your content for the next 30 days.
Workflow:
Use Practice Better to write and schedule emails to your client list.
Joy gained: Never staring at a blank screen at 9pm Sunday again, wondering what to post.
{{free-trial-simple-text}}
The problem: You're accepting anyone who can pay, which means working with people who aren't actually ideal for you.
The fix: Write down the characteristics of your absolute favorite clients—the ones who energize you, show up, do the work, and appreciate you.
Your "slam dunk" client might be:
Important: Ensure your ideal client criteria aren't inadvertently creating barriers based on factors like socioeconomic status, cultural background, and health literacy.
The problem: You're giving 90-minute sessions when you're paid for 60. You're responding to messages at 10pm. You're creating custom meal plans when the package includes templates.
The fix: Deliver exactly what you promised—fully, professionally, but not beyond scope.
Tip: Have a conversation with existing clients to whom you have been overdelivering: Something along the lines of "I'm refining my practice structure to ensure I'm sustainable and can serve you long-term. Going forward, here's what you can expect…”
Boundaries:
Reframe: Overdelivering trains clients to expect more than you've agreed to. It's not generous; it's unsustainable.
The problem: Your service delivery is good but generic. Nothing makes clients say "Wow."
The fix: Add one unexpected delight to your client experience.
Ideas:
Cost: Minimal
Impact: Massive (people remember how you made them feel)
The problem: You haven't had a true day off in months. Even on weekends, you're checking email, responding to messages, thinking about clients.
The fix: One day per week (or at minimum, twice per month), completely unplug.
Tip: If you feel you can’t afford to take a full day off quite yet, even taking a half day or implementing a “no work after 5 pm” rule is a great place to start.
Implementation:
What you'll discover: The practice doesn't fall apart. Clients can wait 24 hours. You return Monday refreshed and actually wanting to work.
The problem: You work from a cluttered corner of your dining room table surrounded by yesterday's coffee cups and piles of paper.
The fix: Create a workspace that feels good.
Small changes, big impact:
If you're virtual: Your clients see your background. Make it professional and pleasant.
The problem: You've said yes to networking groups you don't enjoy, collaborations that drain you, "just pick your brain" coffee dates that go nowhere.
The fix: Identify one commitment that's not serving you and gracefully exit.
Scripts:
Remember: Every "no" to something misaligned is a "yes" to something that actually matters.
The problem: You hit $10K in a month for the first time and... keep working like nothing happened.
The fix: Acknowledge your wins with actual celebration.
Create milestone rewards:
Why this matters: You need positive reinforcement for building something hard. Your brain responds to rewards. Create them intentionally.
The problem: You've forgotten what you're good at and why people hire you.
The fix: Send this email to 3-5 of your best clients:
"I'm reflecting on my practice and would love your perspective. If you have 5 minutes, would you mind sharing: What made you choose to work with me? What do you value most about our sessions together? What results have been most meaningful to you?"
What you'll learn: The things you think matter (your credentials, your science knowledge) often aren't what clients value most. They'll tell you it's how you listen, how you make complex things simple, how you never make them feel judged.
The impact: You'll remember why you're good at this. You'll have language for marketing. You'll feel appreciated.
The problem: Working in private practice can feel isolating at times. Connecting with likeminded practitioners and learning from one another can help break down barriers, spark new ideas, and create a fulfilling environment for all.
The fix: Join the Practice Better Community
What you'll learn: Being part of the Practice Better Community connects you with a global network of peers, helps you find answers to questions, and gives you access to exclusive educational resources to help you grow the practice of your dreams.
The impact: You'll find your people, connect with purpose, and grow your practice better—together.
{{practice-better-community}}
Don't try to implement all 13 changes at once. Pick three that resonate most and implement them this month.
Suggested combinations:
If you're burned out: #7 (stop overdelivering) + #9 (day off) + #11 (say "no" to one thing)
If you're financially stressed: #1 (automate messages for efficiency) + #2 (raise rates) + #12 (celebrate milestones)
If you're creatively drained: #3 (creator time) + #5 (batch content) + #10 (redesign workspace)
If you're feeling undervalued: #4 (track wins) + #8 (add delight) + #13 (ask clients)
{{free-trial-simple-text}}
Blog reviewed by Stephanie Wong, MScFN, RD
You started your nutrition practice because you love helping people transform their health. But somewhere between the third insurance denial, the client who no-showed again, and the 11pm Sunday night you spent meal planning for someone who won't follow through, the love affair ended.
Your practice has become an obligation. You're going through the motions. You're busy but not fulfilled. You're making money but not enjoying the work.
This isn't sustainable. And February—the month literally dedicated to love—is the perfect time to fall back in love with your practice.
The good news? You don't need to blow everything up and start over. Small, strategic changes create disproportionate returns in joy, energy, and satisfaction. Here are 13 tweaks that make running your business feel good again.
Note: Not all suggestions will work for every practitioner. Choose the ones that align with your practice model, values, and current business phase.
The problem: You're typing the same responses over and over. "Here's how to read a nutrition label." "This is what I mean by a palm-sized protein portion." "Yes, you can eat out—here's how."
The fix: Create message templates in Practice Better for your top 10 most-repeated explanations.
How: Practice Better → Messages → Create Template → Save your perfectly worded responses → One-click send when needed
Time saved: 5-10 hours per month (seriously)
Joy gained: Responding to client questions no longer feels like Groundhog Day
The problem: You've been charging the same rate for two years. You've gained experience, credentials, and results, but your pricing hasn't reflected that.
The fix: Increase your rates for new clients starting next month.
The psychology: Even small increases signal to yourself that your work is valuable and your expertise is growing. It's an act of self-respect.
Implementation: Update your website, send an email to your list ("Starting March 1, my rates will be..."), grandfather existing clients at current rates.
What you'll discover: If communicated transparently and graciously, most clients will be happy to pay a little extra for the high quality of care you provide. For the edge cases where clients object or decide to leave, you can create a “Before You Go” offer that encourages them to stay on at a discounted rate for a limited time.
The problem: Your calendar is 100% client sessions and admin tasks squeezed into gaps. You never have uninterrupted time to create, think, or work on your business.
The fix: Block every Friday morning (or whatever works) as "creator time"—no client sessions, no meetings, no exceptions.
Use it for: Creating content, building programs to scale your practice, improving systems, strategic planning, learning new skills, or literally anything that moves your practice forward. Alternatively, you could use this time to invest in clinical skill development/continuing education units (CEUs) to keep up with evidence-based practices.
Protect it fiercely: This is the time that transforms your practice from hamster wheel to actual business.
The problem: You focus on what's not working (the client who dropped out, the consult that didn't convert) and forget all the ways you're succeeding.
The fix: Create a "Wins" note in your phone or Practice Better. Every Friday, log three wins from the week.
Examples:
Why this works: You're training your brain to notice success instead of dwelling on problems. On hard days, read this list.
The problem: You're scrambling every Monday to figure out what to post on social media, scrambling every week to write your newsletter.
The fix: Dedicate one afternoon per month to creating ALL your content for the next 30 days.
Workflow:
Use Practice Better to write and schedule emails to your client list.
Joy gained: Never staring at a blank screen at 9pm Sunday again, wondering what to post.
{{free-trial-simple-text}}
The problem: You're accepting anyone who can pay, which means working with people who aren't actually ideal for you.
The fix: Write down the characteristics of your absolute favorite clients—the ones who energize you, show up, do the work, and appreciate you.
Your "slam dunk" client might be:
Important: Ensure your ideal client criteria aren't inadvertently creating barriers based on factors like socioeconomic status, cultural background, and health literacy.
The problem: You're giving 90-minute sessions when you're paid for 60. You're responding to messages at 10pm. You're creating custom meal plans when the package includes templates.
The fix: Deliver exactly what you promised—fully, professionally, but not beyond scope.
Tip: Have a conversation with existing clients to whom you have been overdelivering: Something along the lines of "I'm refining my practice structure to ensure I'm sustainable and can serve you long-term. Going forward, here's what you can expect…”
Boundaries:
Reframe: Overdelivering trains clients to expect more than you've agreed to. It's not generous; it's unsustainable.
The problem: Your service delivery is good but generic. Nothing makes clients say "Wow."
The fix: Add one unexpected delight to your client experience.
Ideas:
Cost: Minimal
Impact: Massive (people remember how you made them feel)
The problem: You haven't had a true day off in months. Even on weekends, you're checking email, responding to messages, thinking about clients.
The fix: One day per week (or at minimum, twice per month), completely unplug.
Tip: If you feel you can’t afford to take a full day off quite yet, even taking a half day or implementing a “no work after 5 pm” rule is a great place to start.
Implementation:
What you'll discover: The practice doesn't fall apart. Clients can wait 24 hours. You return Monday refreshed and actually wanting to work.
The problem: You work from a cluttered corner of your dining room table surrounded by yesterday's coffee cups and piles of paper.
The fix: Create a workspace that feels good.
Small changes, big impact:
If you're virtual: Your clients see your background. Make it professional and pleasant.
The problem: You've said yes to networking groups you don't enjoy, collaborations that drain you, "just pick your brain" coffee dates that go nowhere.
The fix: Identify one commitment that's not serving you and gracefully exit.
Scripts:
Remember: Every "no" to something misaligned is a "yes" to something that actually matters.
The problem: You hit $10K in a month for the first time and... keep working like nothing happened.
The fix: Acknowledge your wins with actual celebration.
Create milestone rewards:
Why this matters: You need positive reinforcement for building something hard. Your brain responds to rewards. Create them intentionally.
The problem: You've forgotten what you're good at and why people hire you.
The fix: Send this email to 3-5 of your best clients:
"I'm reflecting on my practice and would love your perspective. If you have 5 minutes, would you mind sharing: What made you choose to work with me? What do you value most about our sessions together? What results have been most meaningful to you?"
What you'll learn: The things you think matter (your credentials, your science knowledge) often aren't what clients value most. They'll tell you it's how you listen, how you make complex things simple, how you never make them feel judged.
The impact: You'll remember why you're good at this. You'll have language for marketing. You'll feel appreciated.
The problem: Working in private practice can feel isolating at times. Connecting with likeminded practitioners and learning from one another can help break down barriers, spark new ideas, and create a fulfilling environment for all.
The fix: Join the Practice Better Community
What you'll learn: Being part of the Practice Better Community connects you with a global network of peers, helps you find answers to questions, and gives you access to exclusive educational resources to help you grow the practice of your dreams.
The impact: You'll find your people, connect with purpose, and grow your practice better—together.
{{practice-better-community}}
Don't try to implement all 13 changes at once. Pick three that resonate most and implement them this month.
Suggested combinations:
If you're burned out: #7 (stop overdelivering) + #9 (day off) + #11 (say "no" to one thing)
If you're financially stressed: #1 (automate messages for efficiency) + #2 (raise rates) + #12 (celebrate milestones)
If you're creatively drained: #3 (creator time) + #5 (batch content) + #10 (redesign workspace)
If you're feeling undervalued: #4 (track wins) + #8 (add delight) + #13 (ask clients)
{{free-trial-simple-text}}
Blog reviewed by Stephanie Wong, MScFN, RD
