Lesson 1
Calling All Healers
Intention
in·ten·tion· (in-tenshu-n) adj
Done deliberately; intended
suc·cess (suk-ses)noun The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted: attributed their success in business to hard work. Dictionary.com
One of the most important questions you must ask yourself when choosing a career in holistic business is WHY? What is it that interests you? Why do you feel the draw to have a holistic business? Having a business that is guided by the heart is one of the most challenging and rewarding careers anyone could embrace.
There frequently comes a time when an individual decides that what they are doing in the world doesn’t serve themselves or others. There is a longing to do something else, and a feeling that there is more to life than just surviving. You ask yourself, “What is my purpose-What am I here to do?” Being really honest with yourself and listening to your intuition regarding this question is essential before starting to take the first step towards creating a successful holistic business.
If you have reached this point, and you feel the need to help others, to make a living and to make a difference, then you are in a wonderful field of Service-the realm of helping clients become whole.
The term holistic is becoming a common term in the healing arts and medical professions and means to find wholeness. The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition is: have or relating to holism; relating to or concerned with wholeness or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts <holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body> <holistic ecology views man and the environment as a single system>.
This new word describes the change in health awareness. Holistic differs in perspective from the traditional medical model. Holistic means to let the body find balance or wholeness by itself. Each individual can start learning to become in tune with his or her own bodies. Sometimes gaining that skill requires education, and/or the help of a holistic professional. Your job is very important.
Holistic methods are the least invasive methods required for the healthiest result. These methods can range from bodywork, herbology, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, nutrition, counseling and I am even going to stretch this into the job of preparing taxes. Remember my definition is making a living; making a difference; staying in balance. Any heart-centered professional, pointing the client toward wholeness is a holistic professional.
Is This Work For You?
A holistic professional makes their living through their heart. In other words, this type of career deals with the professional being very clear on the intent for having a business. If the focus is not to be of service to others it will fall by the way side. Most careers can be chosen by using mental skills because all that is required is thinking, just using the mind. You can have a bad day and still fake your way through it with no one the wiser. However, a holistic professional must be on target every time because their intentions are felt.
As a holistic professional you must be present and focused. Having a bad day would be grounds for canceling and handing out complimentary sessions to everyone that did not receive your service on the day you were scheduled to be present.
Clients pay you to help them find their center they don’t pay you to have a bad day. There is a lot of work involved in just taking care of your self for starters. I will talk about Self Care later.
Holistic business targets are the interactive process of mind, body, emotions, and Spirit. If the professional isn’t going toward that goal as well, they will find that their clientele will always be minimal, people will not reschedule. Your reputation will not precede you. This type of work cannot be faked. The professional also discovers much about himself or herself when working with their clients. Clients pick up very quickly if you have something to offer or you are just putting up a front. The focus of the holistic professional is to guide the client towards taking control of their own health, and culturing personal awareness of their own needs and beyond.
One of the most important questions to decide if this occupation is for you is “What is my motive?” When I went to massage school, there were about 12 people in my class. I was one of a few that continued in a successful business. Success to me is the ability to earn a living, grow and expand, and make a difference in the world.
Some students had other agendas as their purpose for being in the classroom. One student in our class had just gotten a divorce, and was lonely and needed company. Another student intended to sell vitamins to his clients after the massage session was over. Still another student thought that she could make lots of money right away.
Our teacher was clear about motive with us during the first few classes. He said, “If you’re not in this holistic business to help others to initiate their healing, you’re in the wrong business!” Some people didn’t get that message and stayed on. Few people with unintentional agendas become successful.
Other Considerations
When choosing any holistic profession there are other considerations to think about, such as your target market. Who are you trying to serve? I once had a person call me to get advice, she wanted free advice by the way. As a footnote, anytime anyone wants free advice, charge him or her. Anyone who honors your time will offer to pay you freely. You have the option of receiving money or trading or just giving them your knowledge as a gift depending on the situation.
Anyhoo, it seemed that she couldn’t make a living in her business of “animal aura readings.” She asked me what my secret was. So I proceeded to tell her that the market she was in was a bit narrow but that she could do fine if she trusted the Universe and “cleaned house.” She needed to work on her inner fears, her inner house, changing her belief system that stated: I am not enough and there isn’t enough and letting herself be transformed into a being that trusts the Universe to guide her.
Regardless of what your holistic business is comprised of, you will always earn a living and make a difference provided it is your calling and that you are healthy and whole and one with the Universe or at least headed in that direction.
I went on to tell her about working hard and finding the target market for her occupation. I actually spent quite a lot of “free” time giving her sound advice. After all of that time, she came back at me with, “Yeah I know all that BUT how did you REALLY do it?” OK then.
Instead of listening to what I had to share and taking baby steps she wanted the success pill. Which I am pretty sure is available if you live in Wonderland. But on this planet, all buildings start with the first step. You can make hard work out of the simplest task or settle into the belief that there is some endurance required to build character and depth. Making work hard is usually experienced when the individual is trying to push the boat up the river instead of getting in it and going for the ride. It can be a long river ride, just enjoy it! Check your motives.
Joseph Campbell, a well-known philosopher in our time says, “Follow your Bliss.” You will need to because it will be the passion that gets you through the lean times. It is imperative that you understand this. You are making a living through your heart and this type of business requires passion. It also requires patience, and guidance from your Teachers and Mentors. More about meditation later. There is also an absolute: Empathy not sympathy. Look up these terms in the dictionary; it will be good discipline for you. Using the dictionary when you don’t know the meaning of a word raises self-esteem……...continued.
Al copyrights reserved 2001
BeWell Virtual College TM 2004
