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Bodywork Buddy Blog

Bodywork Buddy: business management software for the solo therapist that keeps you organized and makes tax time a breeze.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

How To Burn Out in 7 Years ... or Less!


A post last week from Massage Table Outlet about the importance of self-care for massage therapists has inspired me to write this post.  Unfortunately, it's a topic that I feel doesn't get enough emphasis in our field.

- Massage Table Outlet


Therapists often don't realize the importance until it's too late!  So while my list here is playful, please take care of yourself and take this information to 

How to Burn Out in 7 Years... or Less!

Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
  • Do as many massages a day as humanly possible.
  • Only schedule enough time in between clients to change the linens on the table.
  • Fuel up on gummi bears and Mt. Dew during your work day.
  • Forget everything you ever learned about proper body mechanics.
  • Use your thumbs AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE in your work.
  • Consider doing massage as your daily requirement for "exercise" and never do anything additional for your body.
  • Try to work 7 or 8 days a week.
  • Don't stretch - this is for sissies.
  • Say YES to everything and everyone - especially clients.
  • Never learn any new techniques. Stick to the exact same work you've been doing since massage school so you're sure to be bored out of your mind.
  • Play the same massage music every day... for years.
  • Charge just enough to feed yourself and possible not make your mortgage or rent payment each month.
  • Take on all of your client's emotional and physical baggage yourself - make yourself a martyr.
  • Give all of yourself all the time to every one....except yourself.
  • Don't learn to work with any kind of tools.
  • Spend your off time doing hands-heavy hobbies like playing piano, gardening, kneading dough, etc.
  • And last but not least:
    Never receive any bodywork yourself!

Do you have other tips to add on how to quickly burnout as an MT?  Comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts!




Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online schedulingShe continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

10 comments:

  1. Great post :) I'll add to that:
    Don't spend any time networking and sharing ideas and resources with other massage therapists in your area.

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    Replies
    1. oh yes - great addition, Lisa! Thanks for posting!

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  2. Love it! (I said "no" to a client today! felt so good!)

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  3. That is so true! It is funny when it is written out like that though. :)

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks, Andrea - hope you're taking great care of yourself and doing well in your new venture!

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  5. Great post! Guilty of some of these still a lot of work to do on NOT doing them. Hugs, Bobbi Jo-AZ

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    Replies
    1. yeah, it's kind of a full time job to take care of ourselves sometimes!

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  6. Take a vacation even if it's a long weekend every couple months! And get a massage every day of your vacation for you and for ideas!!! Great list and put in a fun way!

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