In this article, Andy Acton talks about a challenge many principals quietly face: loving your practice yet feeling worn down by it. Drawing on decades of experience with practice owners, Andy shares why this happens and how to spot the early signs before fatigue takes hold.
You built this practice. You’ve seen it grow, evolve, and become something to be proud of. And on paper, things probably still look good – maybe even great.
But there’s a hidden cost most owners don’t talk about:
You can love your dental practice… and still feel completely worn down by it.
This isn’t laziness. It’s not a lack of gratitude. And it’s certainly not failure.
It’s something we’re seeing more and more in long-term owners.
It’s called Owner Fatigue – and while it tends to fully surface around years 9 – 10, the early signs often start appearing earlier.
What Is Owner Fatigue?
Owner fatigue isn’t dramatic burnout. It’s subtler than that.
It’s the creeping disconnection. The dullness that replaces your once-clear vision. The endless juggling of responsibilities that used to energise you – and now just feel heavy.
It shows up in small ways:
- You avoid strategic decisions because they feel too overwhelming.
- You lose energy around team or patient issues you used to tackle with ease.
- You daydream about escape – not because you hate it, but because you’re tired.
This kind of weariness doesn’t happen overnight. It builds slowly – year after year – especially when you carry the emotional and financial weight of being a practice owner.
Why It Tends to Surface Around Years 9-10
At Frank Taylor & Associates, we’ve been working closely with dental practice owners for over three decades.
And one pattern is unmistakable:
Owner fatigue often reaches a tipping point somewhere between years 9 to 10.
By then, a few things have happened:
- You’ve solved the big problems. But now you’re firefighting the same issues again and again.
- You’ve outgrown your original goals. But haven’t created new ones.
- You’re successful on paper. But you don’t always feel it.
This is the point when many owners come to us saying:
“I just don’t know what I want anymore.”
So Why Me, I’ve Only Owned for 8 Years?
Because we know the curve. And the earlier you check in, the more options you have.
The Scorecard is for dental practice owners who’ve been in the game for 8 years – not because fatigue is guaranteed, but because we want to help you catch the early signals before they escalate.
Think of it like a midlife health check – for your business and mindset.
Owner Fatigue Is More Common Than You Think
A study published in the British Dental Journal found that 62% of principals with 10+ years of ownership reported signs of emotional depletion, reduced motivation, or decision apathy.
That aligns with what we see every week:
- Practices that are coasting financially, but underperforming in leadership
- Owners who love their work – but no longer love owning the business
- Good teams operating under tired leaders, without realising it
What Happens If You Ignore It?
Fatigue doesn’t mean failure – but failing to respond to it can have consequences.
We’ve seen:
- Owners forced into rushed sales because they waited too long
- Excellent practices lose value due to owner disengagement
- Personal wellbeing sacrificed for “just a few more years”
This isn’t a scare tactic. It’s a call to check in – now, not later.
The Owner Fatigue Scorecard
That’s why we created the free Owner Fatigue Scorecard – a quick, confidential tool that gives you insight into:
- Your energy and motivation levels
- Your clarity of direction
- Your strategic health as an owner
- Your readiness (or not) for change
It takes just a few minutes – and gives you a personalised profile to reflect on.
It’s not about selling your practice. It’s about knowing where you stand.
Take the free Owner Fatigue Scorecard today – and see how you’re really doing.
A Free Bonus: The Practice Owner Reset Checklist
To accompany this, we’ve also created a simple, one-page download:
“The Practice Owner Reset Checklist”
It includes:
- 6 reflective questions to ask this month
- 3 things to stop doing (that drain you)
- A simple model to decide whether to sell, improve, or hold
We’ll send it straight to your inbox – just send us an email to take your first step back to clarity.
Final Thought
You might be reading this and thinking:
“Yes, I feel some of this. But I don’t know what I want next.”
That’s completely normal.
You’re not broken. You’ve just been holding a lot – for a long time.
Owner fatigue is real. But so is your ability to reset, refocus, and take back control.
Let’s start by finding out where you really stand.
If you’ve owned your practice for 8+ years, now is the time to take a breath — and a benchmark.
Take the free, confidential Owner Fatigue Scorecard and get your personal fatigue profile in under 2 minutes.
