The To-Do List

As I've written, the process is daunting, at least for someone like me. I'm making use of two high-tech tools to move forward:

1. The to-do list
2. "Next steps" list

"Next steps" are simple things you can do - "Call potential supervisor," "Check licensing rules" e.g. And they are useful because they are simple and specific. It is easy to get overwhelmed by a task like, "Set up business" or "Make website". So you break it down into specific steps. If you do a step every day, you will eventually complete the broader task.

That said, master to-do lists are useful too. So, just to give a sense of what's potentially involved just in getting off the ground, I thought I'd post my current to-do list (not necessarily in chronological order, or in order of priority). Am I missing anything?:

Groundwork

• Find qualified supervisor
• Get paperwork completed for license application
• Decide on target customers:
• Kids, families, couples, adults, men, all?
• Decide on name of practice / business
• Based on my name; location; theme?
• Decide on location:
• Chose neighborhood options
• Find office available at appropriate times
• Choose when I want to work
• Rent it

Misc. expenses and purchases needed

• Toys, materials for kids, families
• New professional clothes
• Small business software
• Business cell phone
• Smart Phone for traffic checks and emailing?
• Transport: Bike, car
• New computer (I need it but this can wait)

Business side of things

• Decide what type of business (leaning towards LLC)
• Get business license
• Get business credit union account (checking, credit)
• Credit card system?
• Malpractice insurance
• Health insurance
• Set up record keeping system
• Excel? 
• Business software?
• Comprehend insurance system (for future)
• Learn more about general business expense rules

Marketing

• Website and email address
• Choose URL
• Hire someone?
• Wordpress?
• Other services?
• Local therapy listings
• Use my current contacts
• Make new contacts
• Business cards
• Logo?
• Design
• Get printed
• Leave in good spots
• Cafes
• Other?
• Beef up LinkedIn Profile
• Spread the word elsewhere
• Local listings (various)
• Facebook?
• LinkedIn?
• Friends?
• Family?

Licensing

• Find Supervisor
• Register as Associate
• Continuing Education hours
• HIV AIDS Training
• Complete hours
• Transfer hours from my old job
• Complete Paperwork, get approved for exam
• Take Clinical Exam
• Get my license

Paperwork issues

• Prepare disclosure form, and policy statement
• Develop a good system for records 
• Prepare list of referrals (Psychiatrist, other therapists)

There, that's not so hard.