Time Management Tips for Massage Therapists

Time to fold the sheets. Time for the next client. Time to send that email newsletter. Time. Time. Time! “I need more hours in the day,” as the saying goes. Let’s face it, time is finite and 24 hours is all we’ve got, so here are some tips to make the best use of it that we can.

It’s all in the approach.

Time is limited and your most valuable asset - especially when you’re running a massage practice. It needs to be treated with respect. If you’re not careful someone (or some project) will swoop in and completely derail your efforts. Designate some time to marketing, even during busy times, to keep the momentum and the clients coming in. Put systems and protocols in place to make things run smoother and easier to delegate, if necessary. Block off time in your schedule for the things you seem to forget or you never have time for, like client thank you notes or inputting receipts. Schedule ‘appointments’ for daily tasks like cleaning, filing, and paying bills. All the ‘little things’ that get put off and pile up and become ‘big things’.

Seek out (and use!) tools that work for you and your business.

Many have heard of Inbox Zero and other email management systems. The key here is to find a system that keeps your sanity and your inbox under wraps.

Hootsuite is a fantastic tool to manage and schedule your social media posts. It’s a great way to look like you’re tweeting to the crowd, when in reality you’re providing some zen to the client on your table. If you don’t enjoy Hootsuite, there are others like Buffer, Everypost and countless others. And don’t forget my favorite: hiring someone else to do it for you!

Keeping tabs on all the informative, humorous, and research-based articles out there can be tricky. This is where Feedly becomes your best friend. It keeps all your favorite resources available and right at your fingertips. I could go on for days about all the tools readily available. Whiles it’s good to try new things, it is more important to remember to let go of things that go against the grain of how you operate. Keep it simple and keep it efficient.

Respect the boundaries! (Your own)

If your practice is in a close-knit or small community, you may find your time is eaten away by chatty visitors or clients. Set boundaries by keeping work and personal lives separate and have a deliberate flow to the interaction with your client - that includes indications at the start of treatments, what’s next, and keeping things moving forward. If you have additional therapists within your establishment, make sure there are proper channels for communication and hold to clear boundaries at the onset of your working relationship. Get comfy with the word “no.” Too many of us agree and regret later. When asked, contemplate your available time and if agreeing is something you actually want to do. Brené Brown says that it’s better to be uncomfortable for a few moments then regret or resent the person who asked you. (I’m paraphrasing here.) “No” can be the ticket to maintaining boundaries.

There are countless ways to manage your time and your practice. What are some ways that work best for you?