5 Goals to Set For a Massage Therapy Career

A career in massage therapy can be rewarding and flexible and can create financial stability and fulfillment. But establishing a massage therapy career first requires identifying how you want to practice and then setting goals to make that vision a reality. Focusing on these five goals can keep you focused on graduating and succeeding.

1. Define success. Write down what success means to you. Is it making a certain amount of money? Helping people toward wellness? Is it achieving a certain lifestyle? What are the rewards you are looking for in a massage therapy career? In evaluating this, it can help to do market research about massage therapists in your city. What are their practices like? What about their practices do you like or dislike?
2. Determine your ideal work situation. Many people think about a massage therapy career very abstractly. But imagining the details of what your day-to-day life will be like can provide a clear idea of what to expect and give you something more tangible to work toward. Imagine: What will your day like? Will you work full time or part time? Will you work independently, or in a massage therapy center?
3. Imagine your future clients. Who would you like to help, and in what setting? How many clients would you like to see? Pinpoint what solutions you would offer clients and what benefits they would receive from massage therapy. Another thing to imagine is how you will stay in contact with your client base. This may include confirming appointments, doing follow-up calls, sending thank you notes or holiday cards, or sending occasional discount certificates or coupons.
4. Network. Before your actual massage therapy career launches, it’s not too early to network. Contact practitioners and health-related businesses in the area and get to know their practices. Start reaching out to MDs, orthopedic physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncture physicians, homeopaths, naturopaths, health clubs, and yoga studios. These contacts will play an important role in giving you referrals and leads when you’re ready to start practicing.
5. Visualize the journey. Finally, assess where you are now in relation to where you would like to be. Consider the journey you’re on and what exciting things await you. It may mean taking final licensing exams, moving to a new city, or starting that first day on the job. The more detail you can see, the clearer the path will be to achieving your goals.

Launching a massage therapy career requires vision, but focusing on these goals can help you start seeing success right away.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500.