Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/121374
#4 enJoYmenT Building a thriving practice is difficult work, and there will be times when you put in long hours with little rest, but that's not necessarily bad. "The building blocks for a satisfying, happy life are moments," Kashdan says. Moments when we connect with other people and feel we are making a difference are the ones that stick out and get bookmarked in our brains. Consider this: you listen to Inspiration a client vent about "you've got to find what you the challenges she love. if you haven't found is having in her it yet, keep looking. don't marriage; she seems settle. as with all matters of relieved to have the heart, you'll know when shared her struggles, you find it." —steve Jobs and you've worked the tension out of do This Today! her body, so you may list five things you like most think to yourself, about your practice. list five "I do good work. things you like least. which I impact people's list was easier to write? lives." That feeling is now, what can you do to intensely gratifying. change just one of those Enjoyment isn't things on the latter list? just about pleasure; it's also about meaningfulness. A sense of enjoyment and fulfi llment protects against frustration and resentment, and renews your energy so you have deeper reserves for doing less-enjoyable tasks. Clients also notice when you enjoy your work because your good mood establishes a warm and welcoming climate. Schedule work tasks thoughtfully, interspersing enjoyable tasks between less satisfying ones so you aren't drained by days fi lled with tasks you dislike. Also, be mindful of meaningful moments. When a client says yours was the best massage she's had in years, "Just take 10 seconds to breathe and savor that comment before you move on," Kashdan says. Focusing on these moments fi lls your storehouse with good memories you can retrieve when times are tough. Mastermind groups Solo entrepreneurs can benefit from an outside perspective on their endeavors. For this reason, many business coaches recommend creating or joining a Mastermind Group, either in person or online. These voluntary peer-accountability and support groups give members a forum for brainstorming ideas and sharing goals. Participants may own the same kinds of businesses but in different locations, or they may own altogether different business ventures. Either way, they learn from one another. For instance, a massage therapist may glean strategies for increasing sales from a personal organizer who has successfully expanded her own client base. Mastermind groups can help business owners stay motivated and avoid being overwhelmed. Find local groups through www.meetup.com or your local chamber of commerce. Many online groups are listed at www.thesuccessalliance.com.