As a business owner myself I know at times it can seem overwhelming, wearing all the hats of massage therapist, marketer, salesperson, office administrator... and the list goes on.

Yet there is one key decision that will chart the course of your business and will ultimately determine your level of success long term. This decision will also increase your chances of staying the course till you have your ideal massage practice.

Can you think what that might be?

Well, let me ask you…

Are you trying to build a massage practice? Are you hoping to get more clients? Are you feeling it out to see how it goes? Or have you committed to building the business of your dreams…. no matter what!

Many therapists can't wait to finish massage school, find the ideal location for their practice, and jump right in there looking for ways to fill their schedule book with clients. But when things don't work out quite as smoothly as they expected, they get frustrated and give up all too easily…. because they never stopped to make that all important decision that they were absolutely committed to building a successful massage business.

This decision is a turning point. It announces to the world that not succeeding is no longer an option. This decision will inspire you to take action, even when things get rough.

My husband Francis is also a massage practitioner (jointly we have over 30 years in the profession). Early on in his career he traveled with motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins, as his personal massage therapist. One of the things that Tony used to say was, “To get new results you must take new actions, and all actions are fathered by a decision.”

So, what fundamental decision have you committed to regarding your massage practice? And is it a decision that inspires you to take action? Can you write it down somewhere that you will see on a daily basis?

OK, so you have made your decision… but do you believe it? Do you have the confidence in yourself to carry it through? In his classic book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill said that if you can conceive of something and believe that you can do it, then you can! And the more you believe in yourself the more likely you are to achieve your goals and manifest your dreams.

So what are your beliefs about:

Your skills as a massage therapist?

Your ability to attract your ideal clients?

Your ability to build and sustain a successful massage practice?

Your ability to create prosperity and abundance (and maybe even complete financial freedom) in your life?

Because until you believe that you can do it, you won't take the sustained action necessary to build a thriving business. And that would be a terrible shame because you have unique gifts to share in a way that nobody else can, and there are people for you to work with that no one else can help in quite the same way as you.

So, if your “belief muscles” are a little atrophied, how do you build them up? Here are some things you can do:

•Write a list of all the reasons why you WILL succeed in your business and read it every day and every night.

•Create a concise “belief statement” or declaration and post it where you will see it often.

•Listen to and read about how others have succeeded.

•Once you have made your committed decision just get in action and then make course corrections as you go. It is always easier to make adjustments when you are in motion, whereas procrastination will get you nowhere. And remember, getting in action reduces fear and doubt.

•Work with a coach or mentor to help keep you on track.

So let's face it, as you grow your business there will be times when you will feel challenged, when you have to move outside your comfort zone, when you make mistakes, and when you doubt yourself and your abilities. This happens to us all! And you can either let these things undermine your confidence and sabotage your success, or use them to strengthen your decision to build the business of your dreams… no matter what!

A Native American elder once described his own inner turmoil like this:

“It feels as if there are two dogs inside of me. One of the dogs is always fearful, anxious and filled with doubt. The other dog is playful and confident. The worried dog fights the joyful dog all the time.” When asked by his friend which dog wins, he thought about it for a moment and replied, “The one I feed the most.”

So which dog do you feed? The one that is doubtful and full of fear, or the dog that is joyful and successful? The choice is yours alone to make. But don't make it lightly. Because the answer will greatly influence the success not only of your massage business, but of your entire life.