Clearing the Mind Clutter

1. If you want to balance your energy, research says the color blue instills a sense of calm.
Try this: Now that its spring, take some time to stare at the blue sky. Not only will the blue calm you but the clouds, according to researchers, will remind your subconscious about the importance of staying “light”. The image of the infinite skies will remind you of infinite possibilities.

2. Being around animals is known cure for calming nerves and clearing mental clutter.
Try this: Do some heavy petting!

How do you clear your mind of clutter?

Help Fight Hunger in America

As many as 17 million children nationwide are struggling with what is now called food insecurity. 1 in 5 children are living without consistent access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy life.
Visit feedingamerica.org/ and give a gift. Tell your member of Congress to visit their local food bank. Let me know what we can do together to fight this problem.

Pushing Past Procrastination with Baby Steps

Have a good idea? Need to finish a project? Have you been putting off doing things that would bring you closer to your desired goals?   Hummmm… sounds like PROCRASTINATION. 

The definition of Procrastination is “to put off or to defer”

Often interchangeably used with laziness, we all procrastinate and it is almost inevitable. The most successful people procrastinate too, but they do it less often and they especially do not do it on important things. For most of us it’s just our everyday responsibilities that seem to overwhelm us. In the midst of all the important things we know we need to do, we somehow convince ourselves that none of these things really need to be done right now and so we choose do them later.  Problem is often times later keeps coming later or not at all.

Ever see the movie What About Bob? (1991) Bill Murray plays Bob Wiley, a neurotic New Yorker struggling with a whirlwind of paralyzing phobias. Between his fear of failing plus procrastination, Bob lives a limited existence. His therapist, played by Richard Dreyfuss tells him he could start to be happy if he didn’t look at all his problems as a whole. That he should break them down and tackle them in baby steps.  So little by little, one foot in front of the other his life begins to improve. OK, so it’s Hollywood, but the concept of baby steps is a good one, especially when we are trying to achieve our goals.  

So you’re not neurotic like Bob but you know you’re procrastinating. Question is… Are you ready to do something about it? Here are three easy baby steps that can help you push past being paralyzed by procrastination.  

1. Social Accountability: Tell Somebody. Forget what you were told about not telling people because they may steal your ideas. Let friends know what you plan to do. Ask them to hold you accountable and remember, real friends are truthful and supportive. Surround yourself with positive people and embarrass yourself past procrastination.

2.  Make a List. (I’m a tactile learner. I need to write things down, often twice) Be sure to check your list at the end of each day, draw a thick black line through your accomplishments.  Take note that feeling you get as you see that list getting smaller and smaller. Feels good right?

3.  Schedule It. If you don’t schedule it, it’s not real. Seriously. Put that action item on your calendar, (make it an event on your smart phone, utilize the first and second alerts to keep yourself on point.

Weather you want to become financially independent, champion a cause, learn to scuba dive or just clean out your closet, it’s your goal, your dream, so take ownership of it and make it happen. Let’s see how quickly and easily you can push past procrastination. Go ahead, try it and let me know how it works for you.

Offering Graphic Design Services to other Therapist

Before I followed my passion to practice massage therapy I designed graphics and still do. I enjoy both. My short term goal is to do both, have some design clients as well as massage and bodywork clients. I'm finding it difficult to find that design client who I can support for a few hours a week on a consultation basis. Then I thought, what about the health and wellness community. Check me out at justjina.com as well as bonafidetouch.com.  I also offer social media management.  Let me know what you think.

Getting and Keeping Clients

So I worked this past weekend at a spa. Such different clients. Scrubs, Stones, in and out. Its a good filler but I am finding that I really enjoy talking with people. This is where I can distinguish myself from the chop shops. Adding some personality. I don't like to talk during the treatment, but before and after works for me. (I do try keep it short and to the point because most people love to talk especially after a massage). I have one client who is a senior, lives alone with her cat, children and grandchild are far away. She really enjoys just being recognized. (she also bought a series). Some people are depressed and or lonely and enjoy not only the benefits of a regular massage but look forward to coming so I try to make it an experience, not just a treatment.

Maybe you're heard a little something about this thing called Facebook? Or Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+? Social media is everywhere, and you can benefit from it, whether you have a business presence on social media or not. But first you will need a website. There are plenty of free templets out there. Wordpress is probably one of the best. After your site is up and running, then it's time to get people talking about it and driving traffic to it.
Just the Click of a Share Button
Social media "share" buttons provide an easy opportunity for your website visitors to share your site with their contacts. When a visitor selects, for example, the Facebook "Like" button, a link to your website appears on their Facebook page, and most of their  friends will see it. Viewed as an endorsement, this virtual word-of-mouth referral can be a powerful tool for targeted leads.
Even if you are hesitant about setting up a social media business presence because you are not committed to the required maintenance, you can still take advantage of the "virtualness" through share buttons.

Stressed?

Stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses.

Stress is a normal part of life. Many events that happen to you and around you -- and many things that you do yourself -- put stress on your body. You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts.

How to Reduce, prevent, and Cope with Stress

It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about your stress level. The bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, and your career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management.

Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.