We all want to be successful and feel successful.
We chase many things in life—possessions, happiness, power, education, and a thousand other things—without stopping to ask one essential question: What does success mean to me?
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 a few more questions: 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?
This article is the first in a series that will lay the foundation for a successful and dynamic start to your professional career as a massage therapist. This series will define and layout what I like to call “the A, B, C’s of Success” and will share the secret of my success as a massage therapist.
A is for Action
The ability to take determined action and follow through with your intentions is a primary principle of your success. Often what stops us from success is inaction or action that has nothing to do with where we want to land.
The key component in action is exercising deliberate intention on a daily basis that will move you toward your success point.
One way to make sure you are moving in the right direction is writing down your goals. It is wise to write down/calendar your action steps because deliberate, conscious action is the center point of your success point.
Take one day of the week, Sunday night for instance, and schedule 30 minutes of your evening to look at what you accomplished the week before and what you wish to accomplish in the week to come. Is there anything you could change about your week to move forward with your goals? Is there anything you are doing well or could use improvement on?
Studies have shown that when you are introduced to a new concept or habit, the sooner and more often you act on it, the more likely it is that you will incorporate it into your daily routine.
The wedge of discouragement is what often prevents us from positive action. You can let many things discourage you while on the bridge. Feeling discouraged can cause you to stop, turn around or simply forget where you were headed.
The answer to discouragement is positive action.
Get rid of discouragement before it gets rid of you and your goals.
We all make mistakes and we all get discouraged. One thing I teach; never quit and never give up on yourself.
Nothing ever changes if you don’t do anything different. Remember, your daily activity must align with your long-term vision.
Secret of My Success: The Practice
Take out a sheet of paper and write down a goal you want to accomplish in the next 3 months. Identify the action steps you will take daily to propel you toward your goal.
- Plan your week by listing each action step in your calendar.
- Score your week. What did you accomplish, what will you place on next week’s calendar?
- Find a mentor—someone who will support and encourage you.
As you are planning your week, meditate on this quote: “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.” -John F. Kennedy
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 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.
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