Q:

Hello Doc,

I was wondering if you ever just needed a break from being burned out? I
still like what I do but being in personal practice for six years and dealing with the day 
hustle has made me bitter. I also have ulcerative colitis and my father thinks I get sick in the 
summer when I am slow. Every year I am slow from about may through August. I do 
worry about money even though I try to pretend like it is not a big deal. What is the best 
way for me to handle my problem. Would taking time off be smart or counter-productive. I 
have been a member of Singer for three years but it has run it's course with me for the time 
being.

A:

Thanks for the e-mail and sorry for the delay in replying. You are among many with similar 
problems. Burn Out or just being overwhelmed with the yo yo practice or problems with 
insurance and patients etc. This is a business and like any other it has its good and bad 
days. Typically areas of the country have up and low times of the year. To try to balance 
the ups with the downs you must predict the beginning of the trend and campaign for new 
patients or perform more marketing projects prior to the numbers dropping to offset it. 
Easier said than done but this is one solution.

When the practice is down you have two choices. Wallow in sorrow and aggravate your 
colitis or try to do something different so you at least feel as if you are in some form of 
control. What difference? Well .. create educational handouts .. letters to the community 
such as to professionals or a wellness newsletter to local churches etc. Use the internet to 
gather data and send material to attornies or local corporations concerning ergonomics. 
Write simple e-mails to patients. Be creative and be involved. There is truth in Cosmic 
AT&T .. concepting patients brings them in

Burn out is a problem but just as with all flames it has an end. Try to be creative with your 
extra time but taking time off is not the answer in the years you've been in practice. After 
25 years like me .. I'd say a year sabbatical would be great .. you need to weather this 
storm

Take time now using my webpage. Cut and paste and read many of the Practice Tips and 
some answers from my Cyberconsulting page.

Have a Great Day

Dr. M