Alright here goes...
I am vowing to nix my chronicly-late problem this year, and truly learn to take control of my time and manage it better. There are always roadblocks in overcoming any challenge, and it can be so tough to really grab that challenge by the horns and defeat it. It takes a lot of planning for sure, and prioritizing.
Already, I have promised to share the statictics on my clients and business information from 2009 (keeping everything anonymous, of course), and I will get that accomplished. Turns out it was a bigger task than I anticipated, so it's taking me longer to figure out even HOW to share that information. My tally sheets are so confusing to read, and transfer to computerized versions. Not only am I working on getting 2009 stats up and posted, but also re-creating a format to simplify the process for 2010, and not fall behind in tracking my clients and business information as the new years rolls on.
Realizing the new challenges, I feel confident in being able to share the results of what really was my first full year in business FOR MYSELF by the end of this month. Some of it isn't pretty, but it is all so helpful to help me steer my business/marketing into the right directions this year. For that, it is entirely invaluable.
I hope you will come back to my blog to see how you ranked among my other clients, and how your business has contributed to MY business. And by the way, if you are low on gratitude, I owe each and every one of my clients a tremendous THANK YOU for helping me learn how to grow my business and become a better massage therapist. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing without YOU. THANK YOU!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Employee vs. Self Employed Calling In Sick
My family has been doing pretty well at keeping germs at bay this season, knock on wood. We did come across a cold-bug this past weekend, however, and I had a head cold in full swing on Monday, as well as a full appointment book for the day.
As a courtesy to those clients, I called them to let them know that yes, they could still come in for their massage if they needed it, but if they wanted to steer as far from my cold as possible and reschedule their appointments, that would be fine too. All three rescheduled. I felt kind of bad about it at first, but later in the evening, I was very, very relieved. Potentially, I just saved 3 families from catching the (fairly minor) cold that I had. But it meant so much more to me than that.
The straw that broke the camel's back in my previous career (working in assisted living), came in June 2005. I was sick, turned out it was bronchitis. I tried to call in sick, but basically was not given that choice. I HAD to go to work. With bronchitis. Working with the elderly. Within the same time frame, one of the residents got pneumonia, and I am convinced she got it due in part to my working with bronchitis. Fortunately, she got over the pneumonia, despite her poor health to begin with, but never really got well, and passed away several months later.
Well anyway... it bothered me to no end that I should HAVE to work with people with poor immune systems when I was already sick. That experience was the last one needed before I signed myself up for school to become a massage therapist (with a hoarse voice at the time!).
It was such a nice feeling to be able to let my clients choose whether I would come to work for them on Monday or not, and to know that they cared enough about my health and theirs to let me stay home and wait out the cold. To those clients: Thank You!
As a courtesy to those clients, I called them to let them know that yes, they could still come in for their massage if they needed it, but if they wanted to steer as far from my cold as possible and reschedule their appointments, that would be fine too. All three rescheduled. I felt kind of bad about it at first, but later in the evening, I was very, very relieved. Potentially, I just saved 3 families from catching the (fairly minor) cold that I had. But it meant so much more to me than that.
The straw that broke the camel's back in my previous career (working in assisted living), came in June 2005. I was sick, turned out it was bronchitis. I tried to call in sick, but basically was not given that choice. I HAD to go to work. With bronchitis. Working with the elderly. Within the same time frame, one of the residents got pneumonia, and I am convinced she got it due in part to my working with bronchitis. Fortunately, she got over the pneumonia, despite her poor health to begin with, but never really got well, and passed away several months later.
Well anyway... it bothered me to no end that I should HAVE to work with people with poor immune systems when I was already sick. That experience was the last one needed before I signed myself up for school to become a massage therapist (with a hoarse voice at the time!).
It was such a nice feeling to be able to let my clients choose whether I would come to work for them on Monday or not, and to know that they cared enough about my health and theirs to let me stay home and wait out the cold. To those clients: Thank You!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Happy 2010!!
Aaahh, a new year is upon us. Not only the new year, but a new decade. The turning of a new leaf. Yes, we've all heard and said the same things of years past, but something tells me 2010 is going to be a truly fantastic year.
Put your powers into health, wellness, and happiness. Believe in yourself. You can be successful at anything you put your mind to. Make up your mind, make a plan, and work at it every day. Whether your goal is to lose those extra pounds, pay off those debts, or even land a new job, I don't believe you can expect it to happen without planning for it.
Begin with the broad goal in mind, make your end outcome as detailed as possible. Break the goal down into smaller tasks, small steps you can take that aren't overwhelming and can be scheduled into your routine, to build up to your main goal.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, and in those around you. Resources are everywhere. 2010 brings an abundance of positive energy with it, grab it by the horns and run with it! Make this the year all your wishes and dreams come true! Be happy! You can bet I am!
Put your powers into health, wellness, and happiness. Believe in yourself. You can be successful at anything you put your mind to. Make up your mind, make a plan, and work at it every day. Whether your goal is to lose those extra pounds, pay off those debts, or even land a new job, I don't believe you can expect it to happen without planning for it.
Begin with the broad goal in mind, make your end outcome as detailed as possible. Break the goal down into smaller tasks, small steps you can take that aren't overwhelming and can be scheduled into your routine, to build up to your main goal.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, and in those around you. Resources are everywhere. 2010 brings an abundance of positive energy with it, grab it by the horns and run with it! Make this the year all your wishes and dreams come true! Be happy! You can bet I am!
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