Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/230373
CHOOSE YOUR YESSES FIND A FIRM FOUNDATION Your deeply held values should guide your limitsetting efforts. "Good boundaries are based on clear goals—on vision and planning," says holistic coach and educator Diane L. MacDonald (www.awomanalive.com). You need to ask yourself, "Where do I want to be?" and "How do I want to get there?" Then, create a plan with weekly, monthly, and quarterly milestones. Your business practices and policies should help move you in the direction of your goals. Weak boundaries may reflect limiting beliefs you've held for a long time, MacDonald says. For instance, you may believe you can't make a living doing what you love, or that clients don't understand the true value of the services you offer. In this case, you may charge too little for your services or give deep discounts to attract new clients. These strategies turn your limiting beliefs into self-fulfilling prophecies. "Write limiting beliefs down where you can confront them," MacDonald says. "When you bring these ideas to the forefront, they have a lot less power." Consciously change your thinking by intentionally focusing on what you want to create. Tell yourself, "I am prosperous," "I have clients who pay me well," and "My clients appreciate what I have to offer." Draft a work schedule, a fee structure, and a set of policies that reflect your retooled beliefs. Then, stick to them. Consistent, professional actions reinforce your good intentions. SET BOUNDARIES IN THESE KEY AREAS Time When it comes to work, it's easy for business owners to get caught up in a "more is more" mentality. Although you must book clients, give massages, and build your skills, you simply can't take advantage of every opportunity. "You need to focus on the best ones," Sterner says. "Saying 'yes' to one thing means saying 'no' to something else. There are only 24 hours in a day." Certified massage and lymphatic therapist Elise Walton of Virginia Beach, Virginia, knows from experience. "When you're first starting a business, you think you have to be available all the time," Walton says. "You might worry a client won't call back unless you say 'yes' to every request." Walton suggests saying "no" and offering another solution. Perhaps you can book a massage for a better time on a different day, or refer the client to another therapist. To ensure you spend time wisely, calculate a costbenefit ratio for all the activities on your calendar. An hour-long massage might yield $50 profit. The same hour spent at a networking event with local physicians might result in many referrals. In the long run, the networking event might have been the best use of your time, even if it meant rearranging your schedule and going outside your comfort zone. Money Many practitioners charge too little for their services because they question their own value, MacDonald says. Expenses can also get out of control if you don't have a firm grip on the cost of doing business and the amount of compensation you receive for your services. Walton keeps a close eye on finances to ensure she sticks to the budget she sets on an annual basis. "I plan ahead for the cost of continuing education and keep track of the results of my marketing so I know which strategies bring in clients and which ones don't," she says. Of course, the amount of money coming in has to be greater than the amount going out. That's the bottom line. 76 massage & bodywork january/february 2014