Change can feel overwhelming, but it is also an opportunity to do something different, perhaps to do what we always knew was right but were too caught up in business as usual to follow that call.
Perhaps you'll need to re-examine the values and beliefs you have assumed, neglected, or taken for granted, and make a shift to bring yourself into line with something more appropriate to the times.
How can we find the courage to step into the river?
There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of The river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. See who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. Hopi prayer.
- Don't isolate yourself: involve staff, clients, providers, and other interested people in brainstorming opportunities for change.
- Keep the fundamentals (people and things that are truly aligned with your values), but change what you do with them.
- Change to meet the needs of people and planet not just profit.
Here are some possible pivots for change:
Keep your mission, but change your scale
Example: Think local or regional instead of country-wide or international. Offer services that are personal and unique rather than ubiquitous and generic.
Keep your services, change the way you conduct them
Example: Focus on services that fit sustainability criteria (environmentally and socially responsible), and engage your clients in the process and purpose behind this.
Keep your customers, but change what you sell to them
Example: If one-on-one services and products have been your main source of income but are too costly now, offer more group services and a simplified or spa-made product line.
Keep your providers, but change the profit structure
Example: Talk to your providers about the potential for sustainability measures that could lead to cost cutting for everyone - encourage and support them in this.
Keep your staff, but change what they do
Example: Look for untapped skills possessed by your existing staff, and see if there are ways in which you could use these to develop new services or replace jobs that you are currently outsourcing.
Keep your reputation (in providing caring and therapeutic services), but apply it to a different industry.
Example: There are many settings in which spa-type services can be beneficial, including corporate wellness programs, hospice care, hospital adjuncts, non-profit organizations for crisis care.
Share your own Keep/Change ideas and examples below.
For some ideas about how to approach these issues creatively see Inspirations: Creative team work.
Join Vision Spa Retreat in envisioning real change in the spa world.
