7 steps to be more optimistic about your spa or massage practice and life

 

For some people, the glass is always half full.  They never seem to worry too much, feeling confident that things will work out fine.  If you aren’t a born optimist, there is no reason why you can’t adjust your attitude and learn to look on the bright side.

Aside from enjoying life more and tackling your goals with more enthusiasm and energy– since you’re sure you’ll succeed, whether it’s expanding your massage practice or spa or learning a new skill such as aromatherapy or Reiki - you’ll be healthier by maintaining a positive attitude.

WebMD points to several studies that indicate optimism can benefit your health. University of Pittsburgh study found that women who expect good things to happen have a 30 percent lower heart disease risk. And the University of Michigan study found that optimism also is linked to a lower risk of stroke.

Develop an optimistic attitude

Since change doesn’t come easy, you may have to become more optimistic about your life and goals. Fortunately, there are ways to adopt a more positive perspective. Here are some:

Take control:
You may be pessimistic about something because you feel you have no control over it. The fact is you do have control. Even if you decide to walk away from a situation that no longer seems suitable for you personally or your spa or massage practice, or you determine you have to give more than you’ll get, you’ve taken control. The more in control you are, the more positive you feel about yourself.

Find the good:
No matter what the situation is, find something good about it, and that applies to people as well. You don’t need to be a Pollyanna about the situation, but if you focus on the good, you won’t let negative feelings hinder your performance.  Consider how a client's complaint about a wrap or therapeutic massage that didn’t achieve desired results - can bring you down. However, if you view the complaint as an opportunity to learn, something good can come from the experience.

Don’t let your energy drain:
You can be so busy with work and the demands on your personal life that you feel drained. When your energy is low, your optimism may sink. Take good care of yourself by getting enough sleep, not skipping meals, eating foods that give you energy, and exercising.

Push yourself
:  Sometimes, you have to push yourself if you think you don’t have the right skill set or know-how. If you add services to your spa or massage practice, you may need to take courses to enhance your skills. But never say that you can’t do it or can’t learn how.

Take a walk down memory lane:
If you are feeling low, remind yourself of a pleasant experience in your past – maybe one in which you proudly succeeded at something. Going back to a special time in your life puts you in a good mood, which boosts your optimism.

Turn off negative influences:
As much as you may want to keep up on the current state of affairs, the news can bring you down. Take a break from world affairs and other negative influences (that includes negative people) to focus on the positive things going on in your life.

Be present:
Be as present in your life and work as much as possible. Don’t cloud the moment at hand with thoughts of the past, especially negative ones. When you are with clients, your entire focus should be on them. When you are in the moment, the problems you have will go away, and you’ll have more energy.

As the old song says, accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. It’s worth the effort.

 

Business & marketing