If you took a quiet moment—maybe over a cup of coffee—and really asked yourself what you truly want, and what’s been holding you back, you might be surprised by the answer.
It seems innocent enough, right?
But for so many private practice owners I talk to, this is where things get real—and often, a little uncomfortable. Not because the questions are difficult, but because the answers hit deep.
The truth is, most practice owners don’t actually know what they want. Or they’ve buried their dreams so deep beneath a mountain of day-to-day responsibilities, logic, and fear, they’ve forgotten what it even feels like to dream big.
If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone.
The Logic Trap That Holds Practice Owners Back
We pride ourselves on being rational, logical, and grounded. We’ve gone through rigorous education, countless hours of clinical work, and endured the rollercoaster of business ownership.
As practice owners, we’ve been conditioned to think things through. We’re trained to assess, to diagnose, to solve. That kind of thinking has helped us succeed in school, in the clinic, and in life. It’s no surprise we take pride in being practical, measured, and logical.
But here’s the trap: the smarter we are, the more we rely on logic to justify our goals. We demand proof before we allow ourselves to dream. We look for evidence that our vision can actually be achieved before we give ourselves permission to go after it.
That’s not how greatness works.
That’s not how freedom is created.
Dreaming big has never been about logic. It’s about vision, belief, and courage.
We don’t ask our kids to lay out a 7-step action plan before they dream of becoming astronauts, YouTubers, or Olympians. So why do we demand that of ourselves?
The answer is simple…
Fear Is the Real Obstacle
When you dig deep, the biggest thing holding practice owners back isn’t money, time, or staff.
It’s fear.
Fear of failure.
Fear of not knowing how.
Fear of looking foolish.
Fear of letting people down.
Fear that it just won’t work.
Fear convinces us to stay small. To settle. To justify the status quo. It tells us, “Be grateful for what you have. Don’t push your luck.”
And so, instead of stepping into the practice and life we truly want, we get stuck. We rationalize. We procrastinate. We stay busy but unfulfilled.
Fear is the enemy of growth.
Fear is the killer of dreams.
Stop Needing to Know “How”—Just Know You Want It
Here’s the truth I’ve seen play out over and over again:
You don’t need to know how you’re going to reach your dream. You just need to know you want it.
Yes, strategy is important. Yes, systems and processes matter. But those come later.
What comes first is the decision to stop settling for “good enough” and start building your dream practice—the one that gives you time freedom, financial freedom, and the ability to impact your community at a higher level.
The “how” will show up once you decide the “what.”
What If You Let Your Dreams Win?
Let’s play a little “what if” game.
- What if you COULD open up multiple clinics, with rockstar team members running the show?
- What if you COULD take off 137 days a year, guilt-free, while your business thrives without you?
- What if you COULD finally create the practice you’ve always envisioned—without burning out?
Wouldn’t it be worth going after? Wouldn’t it be worth facing your fear?
Because here’s the thing—most likely, it won’t happen the way you think anyway. Life has a funny way of surprising you. Opportunities come from unexpected places. The right mentor, partner, or idea shows up when you commit to moving forward.
But none of that happens if you stay stuck in fear.
Dreaming Big in a Shifting Healthcare World
There’s no better time in history to build your dream practice.
- Technology is on your side.
- Patients are seeking better, more personalized care.
- The traditional model of healthcare is changing.
And yet, so many practice owners are still running their business like it’s 2005—reactive, overworked, and underpaid. It’s time to disrupt that pattern, it’s time to take back control of your business and your life. That starts with giving yourself permission to dream big again.
The Formula for Overcoming Fear and Creating Freedom
Here’s the path I’ve walked myself—and helped hundreds of PT owners walk:
- Get Clarity on What You Want
Be honest. Get specific. Write it down. Don’t censor yourself. What would your ideal practice and life look like? - Acknowledge the Fear (But Don’t Obey It)
Fear doesn’t go away. But it doesn’t have to run the show. Call it out. Recognize it. And then move forward anyway. - Stop Figuring It Out Alone
You don’t have to do this by yourself. There are people (like me!) who’ve walked this path, made the mistakes, and figured out what works. - Take Imperfect Action
You’ll never feel 100% ready. Start anyway. Action creates clarity. Action builds momentum. Action kills fear. - Commit to the Journey
This isn’t about overnight success. It’s about creating long-term, sustainable growth. Be in it for the long haul.
Let Your Soul Shine
As the band Gov’t Mule said, “Let your soul shine.”
That’s what this is really about. It’s about letting go of the self-imposed limits you’ve placed on yourself for years. It’s about refusing to let fear dictate what kind of business owner, spouse, parent, or leader you become.
Because deep down, you already know what you want. You’ve just been afraid to claim it.
Now is the time to stop letting fear win.
Are You Ready to Dream Big?
If something inside you is saying, “YES, I want more,” then I want to encourage you to take the first step.
Not next year. Not next month. Right now.
If you’re ready to challenge your mindset, defeat fear, and finally create the business and life you know you’re capable of, let’s talk.
Schedule a call. I don’t know if I can help you—but I do know that nothing changes if you don’t take action.
And I do know that the biggest breakthroughs happen when we stop living in fear—and start living with purpose.
Fear or dreams?
One of them will win.
The question is: which one are you feeding?
Your dream PT practice is possible. Time freedom is possible. A business that runs without you micromanaging every detail is possible.
But only if you believe it is.
At Practice Freedom U, this is exactly what we help physical therapy owners do—break through the fear, get clear on what they truly want, and start building a business that gives them both time and financial freedom. It’s not about working harder or chasing endless to-do lists. It’s about learning how to lead with purpose, implement smart systems, and finally create the practice—and life—you dreamed about when you first got started. If you’re ready to stop settling and start living out that bigger vision, we’re here to help
So dream big. Step up. And let your soul shine.
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Are you ready for a coach? Join the hundreds of physical therapy owners who are building the practice of their dreams with the support, guidance and direction of a Practice Freedom U Coach. Take the first step towards creating a business that sets you free by scheduling a Discovery Call
