Make your continuing education classes count by enrolling in courses that will help you strengthen each weak point in your practice. Of course, in order to choose the proper continuing education classes for this purpose, you will need to be aware of each specific weak spot. Read on for a few tips on figuring it out and enrolling in the right continuing education classes.
For many massage therapists and bodyworkers, the weak spot in one’s practice may be too obvious. For example, if you go home each day with aching muscles and hardly enough energy to walk the dog and make dinner, then it may be clear that you need to strengthen your understanding of proper body mechanics. In this case, you may be wise to enroll in a continuing education class on the topic of body mechanics for hands-on practitioners.
Perhaps your body feels fine and your energy levels are on an even keel, but your books are a mess. If you dread anything that has to do with money when it comes to running your massage therapy or bodywork practice, then that would be a strong signal that you need to learn more about the financial side of this business.
In this instance, start searching for continuing education classes on financial topics. You may have to take several to cover all the bases, or you may be able to find one continuing education class that covers a broad array of money-based issues for massage therapists and bodyworkers.
Other practitioners could be quite comfortable with the financial side of running a practice, but these same massage therapists and bodyworkers might find their bottom line suffering from a general lack of clients. This could be due to a number of factors, so a bit more investigating may be required to figure out the specific weak spot that is causing this issue.
A good first guess may be that more and better marketing is needed to get the word out about your practice and services. If this feels right to you, then consider a continuing education class that will teach you key techniques for marketing your business as a massage therapist or bodyworker.
Another reason, which could be hard to see or accept, may be that you are currently lacking passion in this career, and you need to reignite that fire. After all, the energy of a massage therapist or bodyworker can play a role in how a client feels during and after his or her session.
If you feel this may be the case, then consider giving your practice a boost of inspired energy by taking a continuing education class on a technique or modality that is totally new to you. For instance, if you have been practicing the same blend of Swedish and deep-tissue work for the past five years, try searching for a continuing education class on some form of Asian bodywork therapy, such as shiatsu.
With awareness of any weak spots in your practice, you can make wise choices when it comes to investing your time and money in continuing education.