In a few days it will be Labor Day, an American federal holiday that has been observed since 1894, but to be honest, it’s often regarded as a day of rest  and a time for end of summer barbeques with family and friends.

The days may be getting shorter but there’s no reason why the glow of summer can’t linger on, for you and your massage and bodywork clients. As your clients return from summer vacation and get back into the swing of things, take a few moments to consider a a few nuggets of inspiration, kernels of truth – call them what you will – from some of our favorite bloggers.

Essential ingredients for good client relations:

Sensitivity, Self Confidence, Self-Appreciation + Feeling Good

SENSITIVITY

Every time you cradle a head in your hands remind yourself that this may be the most important hour your client has all week/month/year. Dedicate yourself to it. You have a gift. Share it to the best of your ability. Make that effleurage envelope the shoulder. Slide a warm pillow under the client’s head with all the grace and love you can muster. Be the pillow. Warm and soft and supportive. (Nah, I’m totally just screwing with you on the pillow zen. Ha!)”

- Allissa Haines, excerpted from her blog, Writing a Blue Streak

SELF-CONFIDENCE

Everyone is good at something. I’m not the only person who has pointed out that most of us take our skills for granted. . . So take those skills you have and teach someone else. You’d be surprised at what a boost it can be to your self confidence and what fun it can be for you and the student. What kinds of skills? Pretty much anything. If you’re really young and have only had fast food jobs, bring the experience of dealing with the public. Many of your colleagues have only had office jobs and don’t have the experience or patience to deal with customers or know how to handle complaints. Being a great massage therapist is about a lot more than just the hands on technique.”

- Kelli Wise, author, Massage Therapy World, excerpted from a Tools for Touch™ blog post

SELF-APPRECIATION

List all the incredible things you’ve done that you don’t feel you were properly appreciated for. That anonymous bouquet you sent to the woman who was having a bad day, the time you pulled strings so a friend could get a better position. The extra mile you went to make sure your family was well-cared for, even when you were tired yourself. The way you balanced that incredibly hectic day, plus pulled off a completely selfless act in the microminutes you had to work with.”

- Sophie, scribe of the Feel Good Tribe blog

FEELING GOOD

The law of attraction is the concept that “like attracts like,” and by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, one can bring about positive or negative results. Many of us have seen this theory come to life right before our eyes, either with great dismay or with great satisfaction. Over the years we have learned that what you focus on with feeling becomes real. So, we thought why not consciously put the law of attraction into action with focused intention Heathby remembering to do one thing… Feel Good!”

- Heath and Nicole Reed, excerpted from their blog, Healing Matters

So, on that ‘feeling good’ note, we hope that all of you readers will now have some good reasons to put aside some daily labors (and not feel guilty), give yourself a pat on the back (or ask someone else to) and spare a few moments to consider all that you as a bodywork professional do to make your clients healthier, and the world a better place.

Labor Day weekend cheers from the At Peace Media studio!