Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68178
AN MT'S LEGACY TEACHING AND MENTORING At some point someone's going to ask you to teach or mentor. You may find yourself in front of a classroom someday. This has many rewards. The wisdom you pass on today could echo through the next generation of therapists. Your lessons could affect all the people your students serve. Years from now, one of your students could be speaking about what you taught them in hushed, reverent tones. Teaching and mentoring are critical to the development of our profession. However, teaching and mentoring opportunities can manifest in all sorts of ways. The local massage class may want to tour your clinic and get a taste of how you practice. A massage student may ask for an internship as part of their training or you could be a guest speaker. Sometimes new graduates get a helpful transition to real world practice through apprenticeship or supervision. When a colleague dials you up for an opinion, be flattered they thought enough of you to ask. Some professions have an unfortunate boot camp mentality that overvalues competition. The reasoning goes, "It was tough for me, so I'll make it tough for the green ones coming up." This is slowly becoming an outmoded model in medicine. Teamwork is valued more now since no one can know everything. Tip: Help when and where you can. Once upon a time you benefited from others' generosity of experience. One day, you may yet again. INSPIRATION Once in a long time a client will connect so intensely and thoroughly with what you do that he or she will want to become a therapist, too. I have been honored this way by five clients who became colleagues. Whatever they saw in how I worked with them, it struck a chord that resonated. There was something about our exchange that worked on them in a deep, meaningful and hopeful way. There is no higher compliment to a massage therapist, nor a finer legacy. Tip: Please think about what inspired you to get into this field. Do you inspire others in your professional conduct? Is this just a job now, or is it still the calling that told you massage is what you were born to do? If there's a gap between how you felt about it then and how you feel now, reflect on why that is so you can make changes for you and for your clients. They deserve no less than your full engagement. That's how legacies are inspired and grown. therapist and is a regular contributor and columnist for Massage & Bodywork. Contact him at consciousbodywork@hotmail.com. To read his latest column, turn to page 136. Robert Chute is in his 16th year as a massage The wisdom you pass on today could echo through the next generation of therapists. connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 83