It’s my 15 year work anniversary!  

Time flies when you are having fun! I really do love my job… but here are 15 things that I’ve learnt along the way… 

1. You will live and breathe your job… you will never go anywhere without someone asking you to assess their injury. Expect calls anytime of the day and most days you’ll just have to find time to eat and drink unless your mum leaves some food out for you. 

2. Your pricing will never suit everyone, so charge what you feel is right. 

3. Most of your work is admin and you will spend most of your spare time never completing it. You’ll spend the rest of your spare time treating your own horses, dogs and family. 

4. You need to remember everyone's personal lives as well as why they came to see you. 

5. No shows will cost you £thousands every year despite sending 3 reminders. 

6. The more you learn, the more you realise there is more to learn so you’ll become addicted to CPD and buying books. 

7. Everyone thinks their Laser is better than everyone else’s. 

8. Listen to what people say… they will tell you their problem without you having to do a million tests to find out what is wrong with them.. 

9. Be your patient's advocate… don’t waste their money and time and tell them they need X treatments to make any difference. If you can’t make even a small difference in two, you’re either not doing your job properly or they are not taking your advice. And don’t use bullsh*t language such as “your hips are out”, “bone on bone”, “one leg is longer than the other” unless it actually is. 

10. Horsey people are the worst payers! 

11. Word of mouth is the best form of marketing. I would love to have a continuously updated thriving social media presence but I really can’t see how those who are actually busy have time to do it. I’ll try though. I wrote this while at the opticians.

12. Home visits always require you to park inappropriately, carry half your weight in equipment up several flights of stairs, open several doors and navigate dogs excited to see you. 

13. You need a car good at overtaking to get everywhere on time. 

14. Six seasons travelling to away games on a bus with a rugby team prepares you for almost anything in life. They will throw you lovely birthday parties though. 

15. Not only are you a therapist but you are your accountant, cleaner, administrator, marketer, website developer and maintenance person. You’ll be super stressed if you take time off and if you do you’ll lose money. 

Put you off yet?! Thank you to everyone who helps to make it work X