We all want success. We want to be successful and feel successful.
We chase many things in life possessions, happiness, power, education, and a thousand other things without ever stopping to ask one essential question: What does success mean to me?
Few people pause to consider what it truly means to achieve success in their own lives. If we fail to define success for ourselves and try to pursue someone else’s path, we’ll end up frustrated, unhappy and ultimately feeling deeply unsuccessful.
The path to success begins by asking yourself, What brings joy to my life? How do I wish to serve? How do I want to live my life? Who do I want to be?
Think about what you want to accomplish in your professional career, and look at someone who has been able to accomplish those goals. See if you can ask them to be your mentor in the massage therapy field.
A mentor is someone who simply holds a mirror in front of you, helping you see the talent, ability and the hope within you, and helps bring it out of you.
I believe mentoring is a huge benefit to all practitioners, especially for those of you who are new to this profession.
When I first began my career as a massage therapist 27 years ago I did not choose to have a mentor. I thought I could do it myself. It took me seven years before I actually committed myself to my dream.
I reached out to a woman I respected and had success in her professional life as a body worker. The combination of my deep hunger to succeed and her wise and skillful leadership were the two ingredients that propelled me into a successful career as a body-centered practitioner.
Choosing a Massage Mentor
Mentors know how to ask the right questions and offer a strong and skillful delivery of feedback.
Motivation might be triggered by a spark, but you need something more to sustain the flame, or it’s not destined to burn for long. Reaching your goals is a long-term process. Mentoring and coaching are vital elements in sustaining the momentum as you begin your new professional journey.
Your mentor is the guardian of your vision, objective enough to see the big picture and find the best way forward. Your mentor knows how to get the best out of you.
It is important to have someone on your side who shares your vision, and from whom you can learn. Use them, their wisdom and experience to help you to break down your own personal barriers; to keep your focus, and to keep things simple.
Next Steps
Do some research and find out the best person who can give you what you want – whether it’s advice, motivation, challenge, guidance, a sounding board, the benefit of their experience, or whatever it is that you want from them.
Be clear of the outcomes you want – even if it’s “to have more clarity,” or to “set goals” – then choose the coach or mentor who can best give you the means to achieve them.
Kathy Ginn, LMT, BCTMB, is the creator of Ethical Dimensions and Life Empowered Institute. She is a body-centered Hakomi practitioner, Proctor-Gallagher Thinking into Results consultant, teacher, coach and mentor. She offers body-centered coaching and continuing education focusing on personal and professional development along with courses in Ethics as Right Use of Power. Her courses are offered through webinars and experiential classroom learning.
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