We are in a very creative, but also very clinical field. Marrying the creative and clinical sides together can get tricky, especially when we spend time around other professionals doing the same job. It’s so easy for Rachel and I to both lose our sense of validity both within our professional practice and as music therapists. Today, we are talking about how we find validation in our daily work and own our legitimacy as business owners.
Music therapy looks so different for each setting and with each individual music therapist. Though we all have the same background, initial training, and competencies we have to meet, our individual skills sets differ as we continue our training/work and develop a unique set of personal assets. It is easy to get caught in a comparison trap or set up unrealistic expectations by trying to emulate our heroes and can feel frustrating when those ideals aren’t achieved.
Instead of letting our selves feel caught in the trap of comparison or looking to outside sources for validation, we are actively working to build ourselves up in what we do every day and finding what works for us. Here are some of the ideas we shared that could be helpful for you in your business and practice.
- Realizing your specialty – It is perfectly fine to say no to certain work. You do not have to work with every person or take on every project. Realize what you love doing and what you don’t.
- Embrace what you are best at – Take stock of what you are and are not good at so you can play to your strengths and ask for help when needed. What are you an expert in?What would someone else say are your strengths?
- Instead of getting caught up in the “I should be doing” or “why am I not doing”, have a personal pep talk and recognize what you have been doing or are doing!
- Save pieces of positive feedback to go back to (ex. emails, voicemails, notes, etc.)
- Write it down – Keep a running list of the positive things you are doing, have done, and want to do. Write down the positive things in your day. What is your big or small win for the day?
- Mindset is everything!! Your mindset makes all the difference in your success and growth. What attitude do you want to have? How can you achieve that?
- Share the burden – If you don’t have an awesome business partner like I do, find someone you can talk to, openly, about everything! You can solve so many problems by just talking out loud and sharing what’s on your mind.
- Track your goals – Find a way to actually track where you are and where you have been. Seeing your progress is inspiring and helps you to keep progressing.
No matter where you are in life or in business, there is a way to celebrate your success and find validation. Celebrate your little victories and find ways to build yourself up every day! If you are still looking for some answers or ideas, check out our new course, Setting Yourself Up for Success.
Until next time,
Katey & Rachel
