Productive Things You Can Do When You are Not Scheduled To Give A Massage

I originally wrote this on my Facebook page December 1, 2012 and wanted to share it here as well

I am going into The Massage School (TMS) tomorrow to partitipcate in a panel about where massage has led me, practices, business & ethics, and to trade ideas with colleagues and students.  I wanted to share with you my list of ways that I stay productive, sane, engaged and in love with my work as a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner, even on days when there are no clients scheduled.

 

1. Keep your cool.  Don’t panic.  Clients come in time through reaching out to others, sharing yourself, and working consistently.  Remember that you ALWAYS have opportunities to do something and that you can learn new stuff every single day!

 

2.  Write a blog entry/article.  Writing about topics and experiences relating to massage therapy indicates awareness and professionalism. It also reflects your style and personality so that clients who resonate with you can learn more about you.

 

3.  Watch or listen to DVDs, online movies, podcasts and tele-seminars from credible sources.  Doing so enables you to think about other ways of working with clients, alters your routine, inspires new ideas, allows you to constantly learn new material and opens you up to different approaches in your practice. 

 

4.  Meditate and practice self-care habits.  Not only will you prevent burnout, but you will also have more energy to do your work effectively and find joy doing it.  You may gain a lot of clarity about yourself, where you are going and changes you want to make for your practice. 

 

5.  Give yourself permission to do something that will make you feel better in body, mind and spirit.  No guilt, no worries…You are always worth it!

 

6.  Take a class or a seminar.  Learn some new ideas, and integrate them into your practice.  You are showing a commitment to the profession and towards offering the best services possible for your clients.

 

7.  Read, read, read!  Read from magazines, credible sites and books about anatomy, pathology, kinesiology, energy modalities, massage techniques, other areas of bodywork, business and ethics, marketing, etc…

 

8.  Develop your website so that you have an online presence.  Use social media effectively and professionally, but in ways that are authentic to you. 

 

9.  Write and update your SOAP notes.

 

10.  Create videos for YouTube.  

 

11.  Calculate your expenses and income monthly, if not weekly.

 

12.  Deposit money into your business bank account.

 

13.  Order supplies.

 

14.  Set clear goals and intentions mindfully.

 

15.  Practice techniques with colleagues.  Host swaps, go to swaps and trade work.  If you have just watched a movie, gone to a class or read something, why not try stuff out with a colleague so you can get experience and feedback before you work with your clients?

 

16.  Take pictures, do art, or engage in something creative.  I cannot stress this one enough!  You also might come up with visual material for marketing or blogging. 

 

17.  Design marketing materials like brochures, business cards, rack cards, advertisements, flyers or banners with your ideas.  Brand yourself!  Be yourself!

 

18.  Go out and start conversations with others.  Offer your cards to people and ask for theirs.  This is scary at first, but it gets easier.  I have handed out cards on the T, at bars and restaurants, and while waiting in lines at the store, just to name a few places.  Marketing does not have to be loud, glitzy or intense.  At its core, marketing can simply be telling people what you do, what you love to do, and how you do it all while listening to their stories too.  The best professional relationships form when you listen to others and offer them something unique that resonates with their wants and needs.

 

19. Write a newsletter.

 

20.  Organize, collate and sort.

 

21.  Write an endorsement or recommendation for a colleague.

 

22. Do laundry. 

 

23.  Laugh.

 

The Past 3 Months & The 3 To Come…

I love being a massage therapist, and it becomes increasingly obvious that it’s a path which favors the passionate with a greater degree of depth, joy, education, awareness and fulfillment than many are fortunate enough to find in their working lives.  Massage therapy isn’t just a job, field, industry or calling where I can simply show up for a few hours and leave, nor would I ever want it to be.  It is rewarding work, where I have constant, interesting, and unique opportunities.  Whether it’s researching a client’s issues and figuring out effective, isolated and precise techniques during a session, watching a webinar, reading books, writing SOAP notes, ordering equipment, book-keeping or doing chair demonstrations, there is always plenty to do.  Life is too short to miss out on fully immersing yourself in pursuits or to miss out doing work that is meaningful and fulfilling.  I am increasingly grateful for the schooling I have had, the friends and colleagues I continue to make, the constant learning of new ideas and skills, and the clients I meet along the way.  After 4 months, my business is still in the black and people are asking me for my card.  Marketing and self promotion have been the most challenging parts, but with any bits of sanity and joy remaining, I could not and would not ever go back to how my life had been before.  What I have now is a rewarding and deeply satisfying calling.

Since my last post in April I have been engaging myself in multiple ways of becoming a better professional and offering more to my clients.  On the business and marketing side I have designed a very personal logo that uniquely and stylistically brands me, updated my business card, designed a t-shirt as a “professional uniform,” networked with dozens of people, created a scheduling system, ordered nice new equipment, started a new Reiki class curriculum and begun writing an article for Reiki News Magazine.  On the actual massage skills and techniques side, I have been learning through reading, attending shares and practicing hands on.  On many Wednesdays I have been going to Reiki shares giving and receiving Reiki, while on some Tuesdays I have attended Shiatsu shares where we we learn and practice specialized techniques along channels,shu points and meridians.  I am also reading multiple books, including one on Thai massage, a second on trigger points and a third on deep tissue work for pain management.  To gain additional practical experience from all these books and shares I am trading massage and Reiki sessions with friends.  Some extra side benefits for me are the increased self care, better sleep, more mindfulness, less stress, greater flexibility, and improved range of motion.  My clients have placed more value in what I can do for them and I am becoming better at addressing specifically what they need when booking a massage.

As the summer heats up, I have many goals to aide me in refining the business, learning more applicable skills and putting out more material.  With the advent of sites like Youtube, I will begin video blogging and posting videos about hands on techniques for specific areas and injuries, professional/ethical issues that come up being a massage therapist and the little gems of the joys that come along with this fantastic calling.  I am going to finish my article for Reiki News Magazine, which addresses how beautifully the overlaps and differences of Reiki and massage therapy work together to create a perfect session of restorative healing on multiple levels.  I will begin designing a Reiki 1:1 home study course and I will also plan and schedule more large scale (up to 10 students) Reiki classes that I teach through The Cambridge Center for Adult Education.  I am still exploring classes/workshops to take, but my leanings are strongly towards a Soft Tissue Active Recovery Technique (STAR Tech®) class and possibly a Thai massage class.  Never forget that there is always something inspiring, joyful, fun and amazing to do! 

 

My First “Real” Client

Last week I had my first experience working with a paying home-visit client, and it was one of the most blissful professional experiences I have ever had.  Having worked as a teacher’s aide, caregiver, bookseller and camp counselor, this was a truly fulfilling, rewarding and spiritual opportunity to practice my skills in massage therapy and Reiki.  Everything I learned and practiced during my student clinic and courses in school came into practical and professional fruition.  I now know the healing arts, Reiki, and bodywork are my life’s work and passions.

My client emailed me some days before and told me specifically what she needed in a massage.  Shortly after replying, we talked over the phone in a brief interview.  I took some notes then later decided what techniques would best benefit my client, researched pathologies, and had my forms ready to go.  The night before the appointment, I reviewed my notes, packed the car and was eagerly excited for the next day.  The day of the massage I arrived at the home, immediately setup the table, put on my apron and went to work.  I was initially nervous, but focused on how thankful I was to have this moment, this sacred opportunity to help someone, and like my client, any worries melted away.  I knew within I was doing everything as best and as happily as I could do and let go, trusting the present.  It could not have been easier or more relaxing as my mind, body and spirit created and moved with harmonious synergy in 90 minutes of dedicated, heart felt client-centered work.  I am truly grateful whenever I am able to create a safe, nurturing space for others to heal and unwind.  Massage therapy is a calling where I have always seen people happier than they were before.  It is truly a blessing to work with people where my heart and my hands are one.

The Wellness Fair at The Northshore Mall

Earlier this month, I went to the Wellness Fair at The Northshore Mall.  Over a period of 5 hours, I met several people and did 15 chair massages.  Not only did this experience allow me to practice documentation and marketing, but I also gained hands-on experience timing a 15-20 minute massage that gives people a good overview of the kind of work I do.  I am now confident setting up all my equipment as efficiently and effectively as possible in public venues.  The Wellness Fair reassured me that I have my own unique way of reaching out to people, both as a person and as a massage therapist.  As such, it is quite evident that people love what I do and wish to work with me.  The more you put yourself out there, the more people know you are serious and passionate about what you do uniquely to make this world a happier healthier place.  We all have a sincere message to share, and marketing is the way we let people know.  Through the use of business cards, flyers, brochures, social media, and conversations I have already reached out to over 100 folks during this month alone!  I look forward to even more massages and Reiki sessions with others!  My next goal for a public venue is to participate in local farmers’ markets, and I feel confident about giving more people some much-kneaded attention this spring.

Welcome

Welcome to my website on massage therapy, Reiki and spiritual art.  This page is currently under construction.  Please check back for upcoming classes, events, special offers and posts.