Chris Kresser: Okay. Next question from Amber, “Hi, Chris, I know you can’t completely answer this question, but I’m trying to figure out the best way to make the transition from my current job to starting my own Functional Medicine practice. I’m currently working three days per week as a nurse practitioner and wanting to start my Functional Medicine practice sometime in the next few months. My rational mind tells me to keep my current job until I’m sure that my business is sustainable, but my fear is that I’ll be stretched too thin and I won’t really do a good job at either job, let alone be a good mom, wife, and maintain self-care. The other part of me wants to up and quit my current job and just dive in, realizing that it might take some time to establish solid clientele, but at least I could put most of my time and energy into my business, starting my blog, etc. Any personal advice or perhaps experiences from other ADAPT grads who’ve been in my shoes? Thanks.”
Yes. Tough question. It’s, I’m sure, one that many have asked and grapple with over time in this course and elsewhere. As you pointed out, it’s hard to answer for you because everyone is different in terms of their risk tolerance and their way that they prefer to approach these kinds of things. Sometimes, for me, the best option is in the middle ground, so is there a scenario where you can drop down to two days a week at your current job and free up that additional day to start doing all the things that you need to do to build your Functional Medicine practice, to get your website ready, and start doing all of the stuff that we talk about in the course with Keith and Evergreen Authority to build your practice? It can take a while. It’s usually not overnight unless you already have an existing online platform, which sounds like you don’t, or, like, a strong network or base of people who are ready to see you. I don’t know what your financial situation is, but having too much stress in terms of having to make it work really, really quickly can be counterproductive as well and not good for your self-care and your ability to function in your other roles as a mom and a wife.
So yes, I mean, oftentimes what I see working best is a gradual shift-over. I have seen it work where people just go for it fully, but usually in those cases having some, if not, other income, some support, if your partner, for example, is generating enough income that you can take six months to do it without causing intense financial stress for you and the family. That works a little bit better than if you’re under the gun and have to make it all work in two months. I think that might be too much pressure and stress. Playing the long game, so to speak, is often a little bit less stressful and maybe more successful.