Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1358392
L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 85 Scale Scale is how you accelerate your results by creating consistency and systemic success— where the results and growth you experience are a seamless product of the way the business is being built. Just as structure governs function in the body, structure in your business will govern the function of it and the results it creates. If there is no structure—no systems, procedures, support, or software—then your business's ability to grow is diminished. Plus, it puts extra strain on the practitioner (source) and can lead to burnout. Creating a strong structure as you scale moves you from feeling trapped to becoming abundant. For example, let's talk money for a second. Part of scaling is about charging what you're worth in order to create a sustainable practice, which will support your life and allow you to stay in the industry. Let's break this down into simple math: • See 25 clients a week (an average full-time client load). • Charge $90 a session. • Work 48 weeks of the year (allowing for four weeks annual leave). • Gross $108,000 per year. This simple little equation is often a bit of a mind spin for therapists, as so many work for an equivalent that is below minimum wage. Yes, as massage therapists, we are often not motivated by money (which is absolutely OK). We probably did not start doing this to become wealthy, and some people even feel guilty that they charge at all. I am sure you have heard someone say, "I just want to help people." However, if you are running a business and want it to continue long term, then some money is vital. After all, a business comes with overhead and expenses, and living is not free. Rent, mortgage, and food are things that cannot be paid for from the kindness of your heart. In our culture, money equals infl uence. The more you make, the greater the infl uence you can have and more great work for good can be done. For example, $50 a month will help lift a child out of poverty in a developing nation; $200 a month extra will allow you to buy higher quality or organic food for your family, and you might be able to afford a better education for your children. So, what if we could do both— make money and help people? Luckily, when your business is set up properly, helping more people makes you more money, which in itself is one of the gold nuggets of scaling. Many therapists are so focused on the here and now, all they talk about is getting bookings right now, this week. I think that's a pretty shallow (and shortsighted) conversation. We could be going so much deeper with a little forethought. To start thinking more long range, ask yourself: Where do I really want to go? What would I like to have happen in the future? Where will I be in 12 months, three years, fi ve years? How many clients do I want to see? What do I want to charge? How much time off would I like to have each year? If you were head of the universe and could have everything your way, what would that look like, sound like, and feel like? These are just a few questions to get you thinking about what a deeply rewarding business looks like for you. Remember, in your imagination there is no right and wrong. You might want to see 10 clients a week, and that's perfect. Maybe you want to see 40—that's great too. As Oprah Winfrey said, "Anything you can imagine, you can create." So, check in with your intuition, set your intention, ask some great questions, and then see what starts to show up for you. Take the fi rst steps and you are already on your way. Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing the tactics she used to create her business success over 16 years. She is a diploma-qualifi ed remedial massage therapist, using modalities such as Bowen and craniosacral therapy, and has a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, which she used while teaching massage for several years. Through her career and business experience, Crook discovered who she needed to be and what is required to run a deeply satisfying massage business. Now she takes the²Fully Booked Without BurnoutŽblueprint to other therapists around the world to create more success and passion. For more information, visit²massagechampions.com. SCAN AND LISTEN "Become a Rebooking Ninja, Achieve 85% Retention, and Learn from Chiros/Spas" Elicia Crook was recently a guest on The ABMP Podcast. The episode "Become a Rebooking Ninja, Achieve 85% Retention, and Learn from Chiros/Spas" is available at www.abmp.com/podcasts/ ep-72-become-rebooking- ninja-achieve-85-retention-and- learn-chirosspas-elicia-crook.