It has been said a person can shift her mood simply by shifting the lenses through which she is looking. This notion may seem a little far out, but it basically addresses the ability to look at life in a positive way, no matter the circumstances.

One simple example of this can be found in continuing education. For a majority of massage therapists and bodyworkers, continuing education is something that must be done. That’s because in nearly every region where massage and bodywork are regulated—and there are a lot of them—continuing education is a requirement in order to maintain one’s license to practice.

Of course, from there the details can differ. One region may require only a few credits from a continuing education course in order to renew one’s credential, and the renewal period might be once every two years. Another region might require its touch therapists to earn more credits from continuing education classes, and the renewal period might be annual.

It’s up to you, as a professional massage therapist or bodyworker, to find out what your state or region requires, if you live in a place where the field is regulated. Regardless of these details, though, it is a good idea to look at the need to rack up continuing education credits through a pair of “positive lenses.”

Granted, it may seem like a chore to check off your to-do list, and perhaps it is challenging for you to find the time to fit in a class or two for continuing education. However, there

are many benefits to taking these classes, whether or not you live in an area where massage and bodywork are governed.

View continuing education as a chance to refresh your skills, rejuvenate your enthusiasm for this work, steer your career in more successful directions, garner new clients, keep loyal clients satisfied and more. What you choose to do with continuing education will depend on the needs of your practice, as well as your personal goals as a massage therapist or bodyworker.

As for worrying about how to squeeze a continuing education class into a busy schedule, not to mention a possibly tight budget, there are plenty of options. With the advent of online education, a whole new world has opened up, and it includes continuing education for massage therapists and bodyworkers.

If time is an issue, you may consider enrolling in an online continuing education class. Many of these Internet courses allow students to log on and “attend” the class at their convenience, as long as assignments and tests are completed on time.

Massage therapists and bodyworkers may also find that online courses are less expensive than those taken on-site, on cruise ships or at vacation destinations.

As you can see, there’s no need to see continuing education as a chore that needs to be checked off your list. View it through positive lenses as a chance to enhance your career and one that doesn’t have to put a big dent in your budget or daily schedule.

---Brandi Schlossberg

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