Whooooooooo Are You?

Is the path to a successful massage practice the same for everyone?

What are the odds that all of us even define "success" the same way?

What are the odds that all of us have access to the same resources (time, energy, money, education, space, etc.)?

What are the odds that all massage therapists have the same temperament (introvert / extrovert, planner / spontaneous, risk-comfortable / risk-averse, etc.)?

What are the odds that all of us enjoy the different aspects of business the same way (financial analysis, marketing, writing, speaking, organizing, etc.)?

We talk about a "path" to success. So let's imagine it, literally, as an array of paths all of which lead to a place called "success":

• the Appalachian Trail
• the beach at Nags Head, NC
• the National Mall from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol
• the stairway taking you to the top of the Statue of Liberty

All paths. All taking you somewhere beautiful, fun, or interesting. None of them alike. None of them requiring the same set of skills or endurance. Not all of them equally accessible or equally attractive to those of you reading this blog.

The "path" to a successful massage practice is not the same for everyone. You can't simply follow someone else's path just because it worked for them. You have to know yourself well enough to design your own path.

For example, I love to write so blogging and newsletters are a good way for me to promote my practice. My friend Kitty doesn't like to write so blogging and newsletters are not a good way to promote her practice.

On the other hand, she's an extrovert and loves to talk to new people so having a booth at an alternative health expo where she meets new people all day makes sense for her. I'm an introvert. I'd last about an hour.

Play to your strengths. Respect your weaknesses. Embrace the unique combination of stuff that is you. Build your own path to your own definition of success.