Running a cash-based physical therapy practice can feel like a constant juggling act. Leads are coming in, patients need attention, your team has questions, and somehow your to-do list keeps getting longer. It’s no wonder many owners feel overwhelmed!
In this episode of the Cash Physical Therapy Headquarters Podcast, Jordan and Ben dive into how to decide what actually matters, cut through the noise, and focus on the one thing that truly drives growth in your practice.
Stop the Hustle-Overwhelm Cycle
Early in our careers, both Jordan and Ben were caught in the classic hustle and grind. Long hours, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to implement every new marketing idea or AI tool often led to burnout.
The problem? Most of the “urgent” tasks weren’t actually moving the needle. They were creating an illusion of progress—scrolling through reels, watching tutorials, or jotting sticky notes without real action.
Key takeaway: Don’t confuse activity with productivity. Slow down, step back, and ask: What task will have the biggest impact on my practice today?
The Power of Focus: Slowing Down to Speed Up
Ben and Jordan both stress the value of slowing down to speed up. Instead of multitasking across a dozen projects, focus on the one task that will deliver the most results.
Jordan shared a personal story: during COVID, when options were limited, he realized the fastest growth came from narrowing his focus. Similarly, their leadership team now uses weekly check-ins to tackle the biggest bottleneck first—no distractions.
Example: Last quarter, the team noticed an in-person sales issue. Instead of adding more tasks or meetings, they dedicated weekly sessions to address that one issue until it was resolved. Other projects could wait.
One Thing That Moves the Needle
Inspired by The One Thing by Gary Keller, Jordan and Ben recommend identifying the single task that creates the most domino effect for your practice.
Think of it this way: not all tasks are created equal. Some things can sit on your to-do list for weeks without any real impact. The question to ask yourself is:
“If I only do one thing this week, what will drive the most growth or results?”
By focusing on that task, you simplify decision-making, reduce stress, and see faster, tangible results.
Kill the Multitasking Myth
Multitasking might feel productive, but research shows it’s a myth. Attempting to juggle multiple priorities at once actually reduces effectiveness and quality.
Instead, assign one high-impact task per day or week and give it your full attention. Jordan and Ben found that completing one task fully beats doing five things halfway every time.
Pro tip: Start your day with the most important task (eat the frog!), and let smaller, less critical items wait.
Use the ICE Framework for Prioritization
When deciding which projects to tackle, Ben shared the ICE formula from Alex Hormozi:
Impact: What is the expected revenue or growth result?
Confidence: How confident are you that this will work (1-10)?
Ease: How easy is it to implement (1-10)?
Score each idea, sum the numbers, and focus on the project with the highest score. This method ensures you’re spending time on initiatives that are both effective and achievable.
Practical Takeaways for Your Practice
Focus on one task at a time: Identify the bottleneck that will move the needle the most.
Slow down to speed up: Less is more when it comes to productivity.
Let go of non-essential tasks: Ask yourself if something really needs to be done now—or at all.
Avoid multitasking: It’s a productivity killer.
Apply the ICE formula: Prioritize tasks based on impact, confidence, and ease.
Implement consistent check-ins: Weekly 10-15 minute L10-style meetings to track progress on the “one thing.”
By following these strategies, you’ll reduce overwhelm, increase clarity, and see real, measurable growth in your cash-based PT practice.
Key Takeaway
Jordan and Ben wrap up with a simple reminder: do one thing every day, focus on it first, and execute it fully. Over time, this approach compounds into massive growth without the chaos and stress of traditional hustle culture.
Watch and Listen to the Full Video
For a deeper dive into a cash physical therapists’ journeys, make sure to listen to the full video: Scale Smarter Not Harder: The Real Secret to Avoiding Burnout in Your Cash Physical Therapy Practice.
About Author:
Although the company eventually failed, it provided Jordan with invaluable learning experiences. He became passionate about designing world-class patient experiences and building efficient marketing & sales funnels for cash physical therapists. Utilizing this expertise, Jordan became the CMO of a well-known physical therapy media company, and consulted for and built marketing funnels for some of the top physical therapy business coaches.
Eventually growing tired of the typical agency and consulting grind, Jordan, alongside Max Zirbel, founded Clinical Marketer. They infused it with the hands-on support and mentorship that they benefited from in their initial venture. The company was a success from the start, aiding clinics in scaling to 6 and 7 figures in revenue. During its first launch, Jordan and his team met Dr. Ben Bagge, whom they later partnered with after helping him grow his business from $200K/year to over $1M/year in three years.
