I hope that you and your loved ones are well, and that you've managed to get through the last couple of weeks ok.
It's been incredibly challenging for everyone, both personally and professionally.
I have a long list of people I care about who are vulnerable in some way.
I'm spending my mornings home-schooling my son.
Both my clinic spaces are closed.
There's information overload from everywhere.
It's like the universe threw all our balls up in the air just to laugh at us while we scrabble around to catch them. :-)
Anyway, I'm still here, so welcome to Your Radiant Business, monthly newsletter.
It's taken me a few days to write, and it's a little longer than usual. I hope you don't mind.
I hope it brightens your day and there's something useful here for you.
Do Open
Book recommendation
The book in the photo this month was written by David Hieatt fromthedolectures.comalso known as 'the encouragement network'. He's one of the founders ofhiutdenim.co.uk.
Do Open presents a compelling case for the newsletter as a tool to build and maintain relationships.
Newsletters allow us to stay in touch with our community, especially now while we're weathering the storm for a while.
The newsletter I write for my homeopathy clients normally goes out fortnightly, on a Sunday evening.
I'm currently sending it weekly, to remind people I'm there for them, and offer some optimism and hope during these strange and dark times.
If you have a newsletter that you don't send very often, now could be the time to dust it off.
Say hello. Remind them that you can offer homeopathy for anxiety and acute illness. Share tips and resources.
These don't just have to be about homeopathy.
Avoid making any claims.
I know you know that, but just saying. :-)
And, if you decide to buy the Do Open book, please consider buying it fromtheir website. All their books are very inspiring and make lovely gifts that are easy to post.
They had to cancel the Do Lectures this year. Their jeans factory has had to close, but they are still open and they have free shipping.
Practice Wisdom
Redefining how I work
Last month I wrote about some small changes I made to my schedule so it was working better for me.
Well, that all went completely out of the window. :-)
Like the rest of you, I imagine, I'm now entirely working from home.
I'm incredibly grateful for homeopathy and for my practice, but my inner child is having a major tantrum!
I live in a 3-bedroom flat, with an open plan kitchen and living room.
We have a small roof garden, which I'm very thankful for.
But, homeopathy calls need privacy.
Preparing remedies and packages takes time.
I'm facing the challenge of interruptions and distractions all day and all evening too, if I'm honest.
Food and meal planning takes up a lot of head-space.
Maintaining order and calm drains emotional energy.
Then there's the 'economic climate' to consider.
I still need to pay bills as well as earn a living.
Having to make a lot of new decisions about my practice has been necessary but incredibly hard.
Here's where I am at the moment.
1. Set up a work-space
I set up a small work-space for me in the family desk area, by moving my stationery over there. I've plugged a charger into the wall for my laptop, which now stays in place. I've identified where to put my headphones so I know they're to hand.
2. A new schedule
Mornings are for supporting my son with his school-work. I don't stand over him, but I stay nearby and work on low-level tasks that require minimum focus. After lunch, I have client calls and prepare remedies. I've updated my auto-respond, which is now permanently on.
3. A daily list
I still use my bullet journal to plan and review each day plus I write a daily list of people I'm preparing remedies for, which I stick on the wall with a piece of pink washi tape. I tick them off as I go. I probably don't need to do this, but I find it comforting.
4. Take care of my back
When I'm preparing remedies, I stand at my sideboard to do it. This gives my lower back a break, and moving between my desk and my remedy station builds much-needed movement into my day.
5. Ask for help
I've drafted in my daughter (age 21) to help with printing postage labels and putting packages together. This frees me to focus on preparing prescriptions and homeobotanicals.
6. Clean as I go
What I mean by this is that I top up any remedy bottles that are empty before I tidy up at the end of the day, and restock bottles, remedy envelopes etc. This means everything is ready for the next day. I send invoices before making remedies and email again when packages have been posted. I clean and archive my email in-box daily.
7. Stay in touch
I'm staying in touch with clients via my weekly newsletter, and working hard on sharing supportive content. I'm working on blog posts with lists of best links for mental health, clarity and focus, and resources for parents.
8. Accept my limitations
I've adjusted my online booking system to include 30-minute acute consultations. I've decided to pause Discovery Calls or new clients. I realised that I don't have the emotional capacity or the space until things feel more settled. My feeling is that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better, and I feel more comfortable working with people I know.
10. Take proper care of myself
I'm getting up earlier to have some quiet time before the chaos starts. I stay home while my husband and son walk the dog so I can do a big tidy up which helps everyone and I also do some yoga while they're gone. I'm drinking lots of water and herbal tea. Make sure I wear different clothes every day and not just yoga pants. Get to bed on time, and wear an eye mask so I get enough sleep. Try and carve out daily time for something I enjoy, such as running, watching a film, sewing, reading, and listening to my favourite music.
Some thoughts on pricing
There's a lot of fear and uncertainty around money at the moment.
My husband has two months of secure contract work and we'll see what happens after that.
I'm trying to be both compassionate and practical about my pricing.
Many clients are wanting to top up their remedy kits, plus extra remedies at home in case they are needed.
This means I'm sending out lots of small bottles of remedies. I charge £2 per 2g bottle, £7 per 8g bottle.
Prescriptions continue to be included in my consultation fee. Homeobotanicals are still £20 per 30ml bottle.
I've thought long and hard about whether to change my fees.
I've decided to make sure that I have a clear message that I will support those who need it.
My practice newsletter and auto-respond include the statement:If you need remedies and are facing financial uncertainty, please let me know.
I'm also reaching out and responding to people individually.
Offering concessions on a case by case basis feels more appropriate than offering discounts across the board.
I'm sending out some remedies free of charge and others at cost, and acute consultations are a lower-cost option for everyone.
My clients have a diverse range of situations, so I'm asking everyone how things are looking for them personally.
Remedies and dispensing materials are not free, and I still need to earn a living.
I will continue to keep my pricing under review, but those are my changes for now.
I'm sharing these changes to my practice in case this helps you with your own decision-making. I don't want you to feel that I am saying this is what you should do.
Only you know what feels right for you.
What changes have you made to your practice these last couple of weeks?
What's challenging you most?
Free planners for you
A new daily planner to download and print
Plus, a link to the April planner to help you see the big picture
The quote for the daily planner is from Maya Angelou.
'Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.'
The quote for the month planner is from Gretchen Rubin.
'Outer order contributes to inner calm.'
Writing a shortlist of things for each day helps to create focus, and the simple act of ticking each task as it's completed gives a feeling of accomplishment.
The May planners will be in your next newsletter, which comes to you on Friday 24th April.
Brain Food
Resources for positivity
1. 9 ways to make working from home more joyfulby Ingrid Fetell Lee
An upbeat list of suggestions for enjoying working from home. I very much like the colour coded books in the photo and also the sheepskin rug on the chair.
2. Four Tendencies Course with Gretchen Rubin
According to Gretchen, we are all either: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers or Rebels. Her course on sale at the moment, and I've just invested in it for myself. I also enjoy following her on Instagram.
3. Decision Fatigue: the cost of distraction from Freedom
Overwhelmed by information and interruptions? Back-to-basics advice from the experts. Not rocket science, but it works. I need my brain to be fully functioning!
4. Spread Love not Germsby Lauren Osborn
Lauren works in the theatre, and she's chosen to spend her unexpected free time making these laser-cut badges to support NHS workers. Payment by donation.
5. All the homeopathy resources for Covid-19on Trinity Hub page set up by the amazing Karen Allen.
6. Something wonderful and beautiful and fun
Just trust me. :-)
If you’ve read this far, thank you.
I hope you found something to support your practice as it evolves in the present time.
With warmest wishes,
Tracy