When was the last time you worked on your business rather than in it?
If you’re like many therapists in private practice, the answer will probably be … “I can’t remember.” Between client sessions, admin tasks, note-taking, invoicing, and juggling family life, it’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day and never pause to see the bigger picture. If this is you, you’re not alone!

That’s why I recommend a CEO Day. A dedicated time to step back, reflect, and make intentional decisions about where you want your business to go.

Let me tell you why CEO Days are essential and how to plan one that works for you.

What is a CEO Day?

A CEO Day is a block of time, ideally a full day, where you focus solely on the business side of your practice. Think of it as a quarterly “reset button” for your business:

Reflect on what’s working (and what isn’t)
Review your goals and progress
Make intentional decisions for the future

Your private practice is a business, and to grow and sustain it, you need to step into the role of CEO.

Even if you only have one client, you’re a business owner and treating yourself like one changes everything.

Why Therapists Don’t Take CEO Time

I really do understand that therapists see themselves as helpers, not business owners. You’re focused on clients, notes, invoicing, and the endless admin tasks that come with running a practice. I know I did the same thing for years in my own business.

The result is feeling constantly busy and overwhelmed but never really moving forward.

CEO Days help you break that cycle by creating intentional space to strategise and make decisions for your business.

How Often Should You Have a CEO Day?

I recommend doing a CEO Day once per quarter.

This timing works beautifully with the principles of The 12 Week Year, a system I use in my Goal Getters membership. The idea is simple: achieve more in 12 focused weeks than most people do in a year. A quarterly CEO Day allows you to reflect, plan, and set goals for the next 12 weeks.

My 3-Part CEO Day Framework

Here’s how I structure my CEO Days:

1. Vision & Reflection

Look back at the past quarter:

What went well?
What didn’t go so well?
What obstacles came up?

I recommend journaling your thoughts to track patterns over time.

Next, use this Life Wheel exercise to rate different areas of your life family, friendships, health, finances, personal growth, and more. Mark each area from 1–10. Reflect on what’s thriving, what needs attention, and what’s stayed the same over the last quarter.

Finally, brainstorm big ideas, both personal and professional. Even if they’re long-term (two or five years away), writing them down clears your head and makes space for actionable focus today.

2. Time Planning

Next, assess how much time you actually have to work on your goals. Many therapists overestimate their available hours, which leads to overly ambitious goals.

Time block your week using a spreadsheet or template (Here’s my monthly and weekly template and a YouTube video about how to do this).
Note holidays, CPD, or days you won’t be working.
Be realistic about how much time you can dedicate each week to your goals.

This helps you choose achievable goals that match your schedule and energy.

3. Goal Planning

Finally, pick 1–3 goals to focus on over the next 12 weeks. These could include:

Business goals (e.g., getting finances in order, launching a group, updating your website)
Personal goals (e.g., fitness targets, self-care routines)

Make sure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). If you’re unsure how to break down your goals into actionable steps, you can even use tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm a practical action plan and I have a YouTube video all about SMART Goals here and one about how you can get ChatGPT to help you here.

Once your goals are clear, schedule specific days and times in your diary to work on them. Treat these appointments like client sessions—they’re non-negotiable.

Tips for a Successful CEO Day

Choose the right location: Get away from your usual workspace. A coffee shop or co-working space works well.
Take breaks: A full day of planning can be intense—walk, stretch, and refuel regularly.
Use simple tools: A notebook, pen, laptop or iPad, and your Life Wheel template are all you need.
Minimize distractions: Put your phone on Do Not Disturb, close your inbox, and resist checking messages.
Focus on business, not daily tasks: Avoid getting pulled back into client emails or admin.

Remember, this doesn’t have to be perfect. You might overshoot your goals or find you need to adjust along the way—that’s normal. The act of being intentional and planning is what makes CEO Days so valuable.

Why CEO Days Matter

By stepping back and planning intentionally, you’ll:

Gain clarity and confidence in your business decisions
Make progress on meaningful goals
Avoid burnout by working smarter, not harder
Track growth in both your business and personal life

Your private practice deserves a CEO who takes the time to lead it—and your future self will thank you.

Ready to Plan Your First CEO Day?

Put it in your calendar now. Even a half-day can be transformative. Treat it as a non-negotiable appointment with your business.

💡 Pro tip: Use this day to reflect, plan, and act—and see how much progress you can make in just one focused day each quarter.

Why Every Therapist Needs a CEO Day (and How to Plan One)