In the world of healthcare practice, time is often perceived as a scarce resource. For many practitioners, the challenge is not just finding time to complete their tasks but ensuring their schedule aligns with their business needs. If you've ever felt like your practice's patient list doesn't quite match how busy you feel, you're not alone. Here, I share a time allocation system designed to help transform your practice and ensure every moment is spent wisely.

Hey! I’m Dr. Meghan Walker.

As a former naturopathic doctor and someone who has spent over a decade helping healthcare practitioners grow thriving, sustainable practices, I’ve seen a common struggle when it comes to time allocation. The typical solutions—marketing, future business planning, and managing day-to-day operations—often feel overwhelming amidst an already packed schedule. But what if the issue isn’t a lack of time but rather a misallocation of it?

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Effective Time Allocation for Practice Growth

Here’s a breakdown of a time allocation strategy that can help you take control of your schedule, amplify patient flow, and ensure you’re investing your time in ways that drive real growth.

1. Revenue-Generating Activities - 50% of Your Week

Start with the core of any successful practice: revenue-producing activities. When patient bookings are low, it’s easy to fall into the trap of opening large blocks of availability or working across multiple locations. However, this approach can backfire, diluting your time and energy. Instead, limit patient-facing time to about 50% of your week. By doing so, you maintain a balance that naturally creates demand and enhances control over your schedule.

2. Administrative Tasks - 20% of Your Week

Administration is essential, but it can become a time trap if not kept in check. Limit these tasks to around 20% of your working week. Define strict boundaries around admin time—this is key to keeping operations smooth without infringing on personal or patient-facing time. Consider delegating or automating where possible to stay focused on high-impact work.

3. Continuing Education - 5% of Your Week

Staying informed is crucial, but practitioners in a growth phase must be strategic with continuing education (CE). Aim to allocate just 5% of your week to CE activities. If you feel compelled to take on more, consider borrowing time from administrative tasks rather than cutting into patient or marketing hours. This way, you maintain growth momentum while staying updated.

4. Marketing and Promotion - 25% of Your Week

Finally, let’s talk about marketing—a cornerstone of long-term success. Invest approximately 25% of your week into marketing and promotional efforts. Many practitioners hesitate here, unsure if the investment will pay off. But strategic marketing is not about scattered efforts; it’s about cultivating a long-term presence. If marketing feels ineffective, it’s usually a matter of refining your strategy rather than reducing time spent. Consistency is key.

Pulling It AllTogether

For practitioners in a growth phase, strategically allocating time is essential. Revisit and adjust your schedule based on these guidelines: dedicate 50% of your week to patient care, 20% to admin work, 5% to continuing education, and 25% to marketing. By aligning your time with business goals, you’ll set yourself up for a practice that not only survives but thrives.


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About the Author

Dr. Meghan Walker, ND (inac)

I am an Entrepologist (On-tre-polo-gist) and recovering Naturopathic Doctor, obsessed with the intersection between health, high performance and entrepreneurship.

I am here to lend innovative thinking, disruptive approaches and unwavering support to those who are on a mission to leave the world better than they found it.