Massage & Bodywork

January/February 2010

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CHECK OUT MASSAGEANDBODYWORK.COM FOR ADDITIONAL RESPONSES TO THIS ISSUE'S QUESTION. Many professions offer a mentor to help new employees transition smoothly into their new career. It helps create efficiency and great customer satisfaction and a sense of belonging. Having a mentor is a blessing, a sweet find, and could be the difference between just showing off your license and using it. I encourage new grads to be open to a mentor and the universe will put one in your path. Erika Kokal Laurel, Maryland If you are passionate about being the best possible bodyworker, passionate about lifelong learning, passionate about self-care and walking your talk, expect this to be one of the most rewarding careers imaginable. Don't expect it to be easy to support yourself overnight, even working full time. To do this, you must add exceptional business and marketing skills, technical expertise and confidence, and much more than a passing interest in other people. Without deep self-awareness and passion for educating your clients, your shelf life as a massage therapist will be short. ELLEN N. STETSON SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA There are going to be many people who offer you advice once you graduate. Like now, as you are reading this, you are opening yourself for millions of ideas and strategies. 1.) My grandmother (in the biz for over 60 years as a cosmetologist) gave me this piece of advice when she found out I had decided to become a massage therapist: "Always remember constructive criticism will become your strongest strategy for helping people in our fields. Never be embarrassed or take offense to what your clients tell you about what they did not like about their session, as every therapist uses different modalities. Use this to make the next session better, and keep building confidence in yourself." 2.) Use your referral acquaintances (peers) to better help these clients. Stay positive, and the other therapist will remember you, too! 3.) Always pay it forward. Help each other succeed. Stay connected. MORGAN CHRISTINE CLAYTON FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA Don't work anywhere that makes you unhappy and doesn't pay the bills. You can get a great job, you may just have to work harder to find it! Remember that you are worth more than you think and that your skills are valuable. Make this a career and not just a job and you'll be happier and stay in the field longer. JENNIFER BENNEKEMPER ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI As a licensed massage therapist for 17 years, I can say that the most vital piece of information I can share is that you must first take care of yourself before caring for others. Take time to exercise, meditate, take some yoga classes, and also eat with health in mind. Massage requires a lot of stamina, so take the necessary time for yourself first and your clients will benefit also. LAURA KUBIAK MONTGOMERY, TEXAS Don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of. Many places try to offer a high volume of clientele for a low commission. You have worked hard and are worth an appropriate amount for the massage you do. Don't ever sell yourself short, because you now have a gift to offer the world and deserve a chance to have a fulfilling, successful career! JESSICA KREYGER WARREN, MICHIGAN As a therapist, it is vital to your success and that of your clients that you are confident. Go with what you feel. Using your extra senses is all a part of being a massage therapist. Learning to trust yourself is the hardest thing to do, but once you overcome your own self-doubt, you will see yourself in a whole new light. And at this point, you will catch a glimpse of what you look like through the eyes of your clients. FAITH ROTHFUSS COPPER CENTER, ALASKA The advice I would give is to practice, practice, practice. Get your hands on lots of muscles. Never tell somebody to "relax." Don't overuse your hands. Listen to your body. It's wonderful to help others; however, you can't help others if you don't take care of yourself. Get a massage. BARBARA VAN ERP BIG SKY, MONTANA Be present—to yourself and to your clients. Take the best care of yourself, so you have the best to offer your clients. Understand that you will only know what your clients want and need by listening to what they have to say. This is how you will learn what is needed in each session you offer. KATHY KYAR DES MOINES, IOWA connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 29

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