Year 4 of Private Practice in Dietetics - what I've learned

Phew! I can't believe it's been over four years since I started this business and incredible journey! I've learned so much about myself and about the way we interact with food in my work with clients. For those of you considering a career in nutrition or a related field of health, perhaps this will give you some insight into what you're in for. For the rest of you, notice the applicability of these learnings to your career, relationships, and personal goals and desires!

Year 4 of Private Practice in Dietetics - What I've learned from clients and from working in the field

Start small and methodical when setting goals to change your lifestyle so that you can surprise yourself with outrageous success!

Project yourself a year and five years into the future and write down what you'd like to have accomplished and become an expert in. Visualize your ideal daily routine, the people you'll surround yourself with, and how your emotional and physical health benefits from both!

Before you embark on a social media quest to conquer or draw in "followers", consider the repercussions on your self esteem, daily routine, personal values, and health. Envision the purpose behind everything you commit to.

Collect at least three more experienced mentors for yourself to help you grow in various ways: I'd recommend at least one in each of the categories of business, spirituality, and relationships. Once you're ready, be willing to share as a mentor as time permits!

Learn to say no respectfully and politely... without lying about your "why".

Consider every task (especially at business startup time) as if you were paying yourself to do it, and then assign a value to each task. "How much would I pay someone per hour to do this for me?" Then, consider how worthwhile it is to your bottom line, or to how you are going to make a living.

Make expectations of yourself and the "other" very clear from the start as to avoid disappointing results or relationship outcomes.

Leave the experts to do what they're good at so that YOU can do what YOU'RE great at! This goes for business planning, strengths in relationships, or organizing your own health.

Refuse to feel shameful for habits you can't break; instead of worrying over failure, be empowered with a new agreement that you can begin a totally new journey at any time. As Mr. Newt Scamander says in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, "My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice."

Be willing to take advice and be unwilling to carry resentment of advice-givers, and unwilling to fear that you will not measure up to your own expectations or someone else's of you.

Take a moment every day to reflect and express gratitude for all that's been given to you!