“I want to run, NOW!”

That’s been my mindset more than once these past months. It’s been over 2 months since my third knee surgery, and 4 full weeks of physical therapy. In my head, I’m ready. In reality, my knee says otherwise.

And here’s the kicker: physical therapy is not fun. It’s uncomfortable, it’s repetitive, and honestly, it can be frustrating. There are days I’d rather skip it altogether. But those small, seemingly boring exercises are the very things that rebuild my strength and get me closer to walking—and eventually running—again.

That sounds a lot like what we see in business.

Often business owners hire our team at Fulling Management & Accounting as their fractional CFO and ask, “Why haven’t you fixed all my money woes in the first 30 days?” Just like my recovery, it doesn’t work that way. Trauma or bad decisions don’t disappear overnight. It’s often the repetition of proper training and good choices that bring health back to a business. And just like therapy, it’s not always fun—it requires discipline, patience, and sticking with the process when it feels slow.

A CFO is the business equivalent of a physical therapist. We guide the process, we set the “exercises,” and we help leaders build strength through consistency. We don’t promise instant results—but we do promise a pathway to real recovery and long-term health.

Because the business owners we serve—just like me with my knee—don’t just want to walk. They want to run again. And our work, day in and day out, helps them get there.

So, let me ask you:  What are the repetitive practices you need to stay patient with—even when they’re not fun—to build long-term health in your business?