Early Monday afternoon I was out and about running errands. I was heading home from the post office near the main intersection here in downtown Northampton, when an acquaintance ran across the street shouting my name. He is a very well known and respected bodyworker here in town. We met once a few years ago to get to know a little bit about each others’ work. Since then we have brief conversations about work when we run into each other.
When he caught up to me on the street he said, “I’m glad I ran into you, I have a question for you.” And he reached for his bag, unzipped it and reached inside. I, for a brief moment thought, ‘Wow. He’s going to ask my advice/opinion about something; Or show me something related to our common interest in bodywork.’ I had a moment of feeling proud and respected that he was going to ask ME something.
I stared down at the bag he was reaching into, wondering what interesting information he was going to show me and ask me about. How quickly these feelings come and go …
Out of his bag he pulled an empty supplement bottle asking, “Do you guys sell these at Cornucopia?” And with that, my heart broke a little and my ego deflated.
For those who don’t know, I have worked at Cornucopia for just over 1.5 years. It is a part time job that I got after my husband and I separated so I could have some extra money to help me adjust to my new single income life. I work primarily in the vitamins, supplements and body care section of the store. It is a job that I really do enjoy and I have learned so much over the past 19 months. But first and foremost, I consider myself a CranioSacral Therapist.
So, in that brief moment on the street I began to question my career identity in this town. It got me thinking over the past few days about what I am doing to build my practice and my reputation as a CranioSacral Therapist. I don’t in any way mind that people know me and associate me with my work at Cornucopia, but I want that to be second to them knowing me as a bodyworker.
I’ve been in practice for just over 7 years in Northampton. I am very grateful for the clients I have. But in a city with over 200 bodyworkers, it has been challenging to build a private practice and become a recognized name. I will say that I am fairly well known within the CranioSacral Therapy community, and I am very thankful for that fact. The struggle is getting more potential clients to know about me and my work.
The positive outcome of this interaction is that it has got me thinking about my marketing, my business plan, my goals, and my dreams. I’m very happy at Cornucopia and thankful for the income support it provides. I’m fortunate to have a second job that I enjoy and don’t dread going to because I have to make money. But on some level it has led me to a place of complacency and because of this I have neglected my passion: my work.
I am good at what I do … you can ask clients and colleagues and they will tell you the same. I now know that I must focus more on getting out there and getting known in the community. I have been brainstorming and have many ideas that I need to refine. I now must begin to take action.
I know that I will be successful. I know I can achieve my goals. I believe it is all possible.
