Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/296580
28 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a y / j u n e 2 0 1 4 BUSINESS SIDE SELF-CARE We'll repeat that again since it may not be a term you "recognize" right off the bat—self-care. Step #1: Figure out which self- care practices work for you. This includes big chunks of self-care time, like receiving massage, going for walks, and taking vacations, as well as the shorter stretching and centering moments you need before and after each session. Step #2: Add self-care time to your schedule. Want to become consistent with your favorite yoga class or train for a triathlon or 5K? Put it on your calendar and schedule around it. LIFE + PERSONAL Don't forget to put the rest of your life on your schedule, too. Prioritize important family and personal events. When is a good time to plan a vacation? Check your previous years' income logs— traditionally slow times in your practice are a great time for you to take a break from bodywork, too. HOW DO YOU FIT IT ALL IN? What follows is a good, bad, and ugly sample schedule for a full- time practitioner. We're using the term full time to describe therapists who devote fi ve or six days and up to 40 hours a week to their massage and bodywork practice. We hope you can use these tips to help you craft your own calendar. But remember, a schedule is not a straitjacket; yours may vary week to week, and sometimes the dog needs to go to the vet and the car needs to go to the shop. Managing your own schedule can allow greater fl exibility, but it requires organization and planning. DO THIS! Here's an example of how you would ideally spend your time on one day and how that would translate to a perfect week. Monday's Totals Hours devoted to practice management: 1 Hours devoted to hands-on client care (including time before and after each session): 6.5 Hours devoted to self-care: 1.5 Weekly Totals (assuming 20 clients): Hours devoted to practice management: 3–5 Hours devoted to hands-on client care: 32.5 Hours devoted to self-care: 7.5 (on work days) 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. Self-care 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Marketing 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Client #1 12:45 p.m.–1:15 p.m. Lunch 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Client #2 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Client # 3 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m. Client #4 MONDAY Your Per fect Day