Taking over an existing practice is like taking the controls of an airplane mid-flight. To avoid turbulence, make adjustments one at a time.
In his early days as a pilot, my husband, Jimmy, decided to fly from Idaho Falls to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. With fuel stops and bathroom breaks, the trip would take his small plane about 10 hours. Heading east from Idaho Falls, Jimmy had to navigate over the Rocky Mountains. After that, the terrain flattened. When he reached Sioux Falls, Jimmy realized that, while he had been adjusting his course along the way, he had failed to consider making altitude adjustments. He was still flying as if there were mountains below him. This sudden realization required him to adjust his landing approach.
Any pilot will tell you that flying requires constant tweaks and adjustments. To them, headings, altitude, and wind are just data points — information that helps them adjust along the way. Turbulence, changes in air pressure, and storms will throw them off course.
Purchasing an existing practice is a lot like piloting a plane. Now that the deal is done, you’re in charge. Read more here.