Ten Ways to Spring Clean Your Practice
- By Kelli Lene
- on Mar 7, 2016
New Year’s is about goal setting but spring is about clearing the decks of clutter. And by clutter I am referring to the mental, physical, and business variety. It’s time to shake out the cobwebs and check for things that no longer serve you or your clients. For your entertainment- here is my list so far.
- Self-care equipment: The yoga bench, rarely used, in the reception area will be retired. However, the massaging pad in the recliner is still a big hit. The foot massager will be relocated in order to give it a more prominent position and another probationary period.
- Reception area: My herbal tea bar is going to be greatly reduced in favor of a herbal/citrus and Sole waters. In the interest of making sure reading material is current and relevant to my current demographics, I am replacing a woman’s magazine with The Smithsonian.
- Music: I’m still CD old school so clients can choose their music. I decided to really listen to all my music and dispense with what I don’t like or duplications. Clients can adopt any rejects.
- Smell: I do not burn candles or use diffusers because I utilize so much aromatherapy and do not want it to be overwhelming. Just to be sure I make it a priority, when I leave my office for a while to access the scentscape when I come back.
- Massage Mediums: Shelf life people, shelf life! I love acquiring or blending new products. If I have a surplus: smidgen of product left: or it’s getting close to expiration (not out of date), I offer it to a client or fellow therapist to try.
- Sheets: You know what I’m talking about- tired; rancid; or rough. I recently invested in more expensive sheets specifically made for our profession. My clients have ever complained but since I changed I have had many comments on how soft they feel. Yikes, I should have addressed this earlier. (Last year I added a new colorful blanket and clients loved it)
- Modalities and Protocols: In 25 years I have collected a large number of treatment allies and techniques. I’m editing and rotating selections of stones, cups, bamboo sticks, etc., otherwise it gets to be a pile of stuff. It’s important not to get in a rut, so just like with the massage tools, it’s time to rethink my tool box and intentionally re-prioritize and put a twist on the sessions. Like starting with the client body scanning instead of automatically bolstering.
- Conversation: I am enormously curious about life and people. As a result I sometimes get a little too comfortable with my clients. So I constantly have to assess what discussions occur during sessions. It is my responsibility to keep the tone relaxed, professional and informative. Where our thoughts go, our energy goes.
- Business: Location, attitude, targeted client demographic, marketing, finances………. I assess while I have all the numbers out for tax preparation. If I can’t make immediate changes, then I make a plan with timeline. Mine is a commitment to host more open houses.
I hope you will take the time to really look at your practice and be intentional about your choices. Notice I did not say anything about general clutter, which was supposed to be number 10, but my office has been described as the inside of a nomad wagon.... so you are on your own.
Be well, Do good work, and let us know what you spruce up in spring.
