Ten Ways to Spring Clean Your Practice

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.

1. 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.  
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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   If I have a surplus: smidgen of product left: or it’s getting close to expiration (not out of date), I offer it to a client or fellow therapist to try. 
6. 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)
7. 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.  
8. 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.
9. 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.