Just Blog It – Best Advice I’d Ever Been Given

I was in my 10th year doing massage, and working for someone else before I decided to go and start my own business. After working for a few months, head down, just grinding, it seemed as if I wasn’t getting too far.

Isn’t it great how life just puts people on your path to let you know whether you’re on the right path? I met Tierra Destiny Reid at a gathering at an Atlanta Capital event, celebrating Women Business Owners. After I peeled myself off the ceiling and finished gushing, we talked for a while that day, and several years afterward. The thing she always told me was that “If you show up, I mean really show up, things will fall into place for you.” Go above and beyond, exceed customers’ expectations, and just do your best. And, for a while, business did well.

After dealing with an illness in our family, I changed my focus, so that I could be there. I literally stopped showing up. Now, that it has been a few months since the passing, I feel as if I’m back to square one.

The best way I know how to cope is watching comedies, or anything that would make me laugh. Bill Cosby was just recently awarded the Johnny Carson Award at the American Comedy Awards, and during his acceptance speech, he reminded me what I’m supposed to be doing to get back on the path. During his acceptance speech, he reminded everyone that you have to SHOW UP, not only for your audience, but for YOURSELF.

I just sat there, and cried. It was a very good and happy cry. The very thing I was already told, was being told to me by someone else. Sometimes, you just need to be reminded. So now, I’m going to get back to what I’m supposed to be doing, and show up, not only for my awesome and patient clients, but for myself.

Just Blog It – Industry Pet Peeve

As a Massage Therapist, many people believe a few stereotypes about us. We’re flaky, rarely ever on time, either fix every problem they have on the first session, or just bruise clients all over. All therapists are called “Masseuses”, and give Happy Endings are a few others stereotypes that are bandied about.

I cannot speak on behalf of all therapists, so I do my best to break every opinion that I can about massage therapists just by doing my job. Before I was a massage therapist, I was rarely ever on time, but being in a networking group called BNI changed that at the very first meeting. The beauty of that was that it didn’t just change only for meetings, but every attendance that required me being there. My family didn’t even recognize me, wanting to be everywhere on time, not just going to meetings.

To avoid driving Therapists crazy trying to distinguish a Masseuse (Female) from a Masseur (Male), just call them a Massage Therapist. They’ll correct you if they want to be called a Masseuse or Masseur. I usually correct you by saying, “I call myself a ‘Positive Attitude Adjuster'”.

From my standpoint, clients will never get a “Happy Ending” from me, and if they are looking for that, they have come to the wrong person. I enjoy helping people too much to be doing such foolishness. The last time I was subtly asked, I was so in a therapeutic mindset, I had no idea what was being asked of me. I closed the session, saying thank you for coming to me for your massage.

“That’s it?” he quizzically asked me.

“Yep, that’s it!” I replied, enthusiastically.

He asked me the same question twice more, and I left the room, wondering why he kept asking. Then, the light bulb exploded over my head, and I stood in the hall, and just laughed to myself, sent him to the cashier to pay for his services, and quit at the end of the day.

You can never control what other people think about what you do, you just have to do the best YOU can with what you DO.

Just Blog It – My Favorite Quotes

Inspirational quotes help a lot to keep one’s spirits up, especially when it comes at the right time.

What works for me are the ones that have a little humor, because laughter is my favorite coping mechanism. Here are a few of my favorites-

(Ed. Note- As I was writing this last night, a fight broke out on the train, so these 2 quotes were SO apropos! The fight just meandered from one end of the car, to the other, spanning several stations. It seemed as most folks in the cab weren’t immune to Stupiditis.)

Just Blog It – 5 things I’ve learned since I’ve turned 40

I tell you- the List Post for me is the most challenging one to do! This post took all day to write, and took on several iterations. Here is the one that finally took-

1- Saying NO by far, is the best diet plan in the world.

2- Your taste preference will change, whether you want it to, or not.

3- In my 30’s, my type of exercise was jumping to a conclusion. Now, I’ll do a 5K. You run (or walk) your race. All you need to do finish.

4- Your hormones will go on strike. If people call you Sybil, don’t take it personally.

5- Before your kids leave home, find something fun for YOU to do.

Just Blog It – Introduce Yourself!

 Hi! My name is Sonia Hazard, and I am a self-described Positive Attitude Adjuster (otherwise known as a Massage Therapist). I am in my mid forties, and an empty-nester. I’ve been married for about 8 years now, and have my own business. 

My business is NiaMassage, a mobile massage business in the Metro Atlanta Area, that brings stress relief through massage therapy to offices and homes for the past three years. ‘Nia’ in Swahili means ‘Purpose’, and that is what I feel my purpose in life is, to help make other people feel better! I’ve done massages at Launch Parties, Diva Parties, Ambush Massages at work (The only people that knew we were coming was the boss!), as well as appearances at store and community events.

Writing blog posts for me are challenging, because I want to entertain and educate. This is an opportunity for me to get in the habit of writing, and have FUN with it! I’m still learning, so bear with me.  😉  See you tomorrow!