Booking Appointments

If every time I heard someone say "I need to make an appointment with you" they actually made an appointment, I would always have a full schedule.  Unfortunately, this is usually followed by one of many excuses; i.e. 'I don't have my calendar' or 'I need to find a sitter'.  Comment below with the best excuse you've heard from a client for not booking a massage.  I will make recommendations during their session, but it is ultimately up to the individual.  I am not 'pushy' about booking appointments. I feel that a person knows when they are ready for or need a massage.

If it is a regular client, I give them a couple of choices that I know are available so that they can make a quick choice. If they aren't ready to schedule, I usually ask them to call me the next day.  I already know that they will book the appointment, it is just a matter of how soon. I have the same general times that I like to book my appointments, but for a frequent client I am willing to adjust my schedule occasionally.

If it is someone that I have not worked with before, I give them my business card and suggest that they review my web site.  This usually answers questions that they may have as well questions they haven't even thought of.  New clients are usually less sure of booking.  Even after they book an appointment it is more likely to be rescheduled or canceled.  Just like many doctors I have specific days and times that I will see a new client.  This allows me to set aside more time for intake and evaluation.  I want them to relax and become comfortable with me not feel rushed or anxious.

I like to keep things simple.  I use an on line calendar to keep track of my schedule.  I am familiar with how it operates and it doesn't cost me anything.  It syncs between my computer, my tablet, and my smart phone so I always have an up to date schedule.  I can set reminders for myself by email or notification and email confirmations can be sent to the client automatically.  This helps prevent missed appointments. Which is an entire topic on it's own to be discussed in a later blog.

Along with the excuses I'd love to hear how you respond to get the client booked.

Traits for Self Healing Part 10: Kindness Quotient

Part  10 of a 10 Part series based on the article "The Traits of an Energy Practitioner" by John Kroneck (July/august 2013 'massage & bodywork'). The final topic in our series is Kindness Quotient.

1. Stillness
2. Presence:
• present moment
• awareness
3. Non attachment
• nonresistance
• nonjudgment
4. Beginner's Mind
5. Acceptance
6. Inspiration
7. Responsibility
8. Kindness Quotient

Kindness Quotient 

The Dalai Lama has been quoted as saying that his religion is kindness.  It takes great strength and insight to live a life with kindness.  That is, an individual can only act with consistent kindness if her heart and spiritual understanding are mature. Many times we find that forgiveness of others is only the beginning, and that it is more important to forgive ourselves.  Along this line, there will be some clients demonstrating behaviors toward themselves that are shy on the kindness quotient.  A practitioner's demeanor that exemplifies kindness can introduce a reality not yet acknowledged by a client.  A truly kind act can be powerful and change the world for an individual. A truly kind heart can change a neighborhood. A kind neighborhood can change a culture.  And what a kind culture can do is yet to be realized.  How is your mastery of kindness?--John Kroneck

Traits for Self Healing Part 9: Responsibility

Part  9 of a 10 Part series based on the article "The Traits of an Energy Practitioner" by John Kroneck (July/august 2013 'massage & bodywork'). This week's post is on Responsibility.

1. Stillness
2. Presence:
• present moment
• awareness
3. Non attachment
• nonresistance
• nonjudgment
4. Beginner's Mind
5. Acceptance
6. Inspiration
7. Responsibility
8. Kindness Quotient

Responsibility
Accepting responsibility for our interpretations, perceptions, and intentions of given situations is a vital dynamic to spiritual growth.  The act of owning responsibility  for our interpretations, perceptions, and intentions has a vibration and frequency of energy that colors our inner experience and the environment around us.  To be clear, we are not being asked to accept responsibility for others' interpretations and actions.  To know the difference is an important skill to develop.  As we embrace that which we are responsible for, we are more likely to become aware of opportunities to influence the respective state of affairs.  At the heart of how we perceive and interpret situations, as well as the intentions behind our actions, are the beliefs that we carry defining ourselves.  Accepting responsibility involves the willingness for self-awareness and the readiness to take action that adds value to the given experience.  How is your mastery of accepting responsibility?--John Kroneck

 I often perceive a situation to be in my favor when I really have no bearing on the outcome.  My perception and interpretation may be selfish or self-centered.  I feel that taking responsibility for my actions is much easier than taking responsibility for my emotions behind the actions.  When I take responsibility for my feelings I am better able to control my actions. Our interpretations can only come from what we have experienced and therefore our intentions tend to also be the same.

We are responsible for our actions, but NOT for how others react to them.

Everybody Deserves a Massage

Just wanted to share this video with my readers.

Enjoy the rest of your week and don't forget to schedule your next massage.

Traits for Self Healing Part 8: Inspiration

Part  8 of a 10 Part series based on the article "The Traits of an Energy Practitioner" by John Kroneck (July/august 2013 'massage & bodywork'). Today's topic is Inspiration.

1. Stillness
2. Presence:
• present moment
• awareness
3. Non attachment
• nonresistance
• nonjudgment
4. Beginner's Mind
5. Acceptance
6. Inspiration
7. Responsibility
8. Kindness Quotient

INSPIRATION
Intention drives our creative processes.  Bringing into our awareness an inspired vision of who we are and who we are to become fuels the creation of an intentional reality.  When problems appear in our lives, there is a tendency to focus so intently on the problem that an individual may define himself by the problem.  This type of focus also drives our creative processes. Keeping our consciously chosen intention clearly in focus will help us move forward in a chosen future.  How we inspire ourselves is unique to each individual.  The key is to identify and engage in practices that help us focus on our highest and best selves.  How is your mastery of inspired vision?--John Kroneck

I believe that inspiration may have a small or large scope. It can be be anything from a recent continuing education class to new music causing you to  change your 'normal' routine.  When I was a child, my mother worked standing on her feet a lot and asked for someone to rub her feet. Today one of my main modalities is reflexology.  I have a set of black out curtains that I really love the pattern and color.  They do not match the color my massage room is painted. While searching for a rug to place in the room, I looked for something to go with the paint scheme. Instead I found a rug that goes perfectly with the blackout curtains. Soon I will be repainting the room. Michael J Fox inspires me to focus on the things that I can do, not my limitations. What or who inspires you?

Traits for Self Healing Part 7: Acceptance

Part  7 of a 10 Part series based on the article "The Traits of an Energy Practitioner" by John Kroneck (July/august 2013 'massage & bodywork'). This week we are focusing on Acceptance.

1. Stillness
2. Presence:

• present moment
• awareness
3. Non attachment
• nonresistance
• nonjudgment
4. Beginner's Mind
5. Acceptance
6. Inspiration
7. Responsibility
8. Kindness Quotient

Acceptance
Releasing is only part of the healing process.  The other part is to accept who we really are.  Can we accept who we are? Likewise, can we receive the goodness life has to offer?  Accepting ourselves without judgment can be cathartic; accepting our true nature, and therefore real potency, is empowering.  How is your mastery of self-acceptance?--John Kroneck

Do you focus on the negative or the positive? Do you worry that you can't do enough or do you accept your abilities?  For some people it is more difficult to accept their talents than their weakness.  Body image may also be a large part of acceptance. Society portrays that we should all be thin and athletic, but the majority of society are not.  Do you accept yourself as you are, or do try to change who you are?

Traits for Self Healing Part 6: Beginners Mind

Traits for Self Healing Part 6: Beginners Mind

We are on week 6 of a 10 Part series based on the article "The Traits of an Energy Practitioner" by John Kroneck (July/august 2013 'massage & bodywork'). This week's topic is Beginner's Mind.

1. Stillness
2. Presence:
• present moment
• awareness
3. Non attachment
• nonresistance
• nonjudgment
4. Beginner's Mind
5. Acceptance
6. Inspiration
7. Responsibility
8. Kindness Quotient

Beginner's Mind
This trait has to do with a belief that anything is possible that even preconceived ides, rules, or standards can change.  Once we think we know "the way things are" and that this cannot change, we block ourselves from recognizing other opportunities that may evolve with an issue. A beginner's mind is open to untold possibilities and is willing to give the creative process and opportunity to play itself through without rushing to a final resolution.  In the emptiness of the beginner's mind is found fertile ground for the unfolding of creative ideas, adventures, and even new life.  How is your mastery of the beginner's mind?--John Kroneck

 Have you ever heard someone say, "We've always done it that way."?  I believe that is the furthest you can get from a beginner's mind. I hope to always be a student; willing to learn new ideas.  What ways do you use to keep things from becoming stagnate?