In every professional field there are practitioners that have all the success they desire and those that struggle just to pay the bills.

As a professional massage therapist for 6 years (now retired) I have experienced both of these realities but at the height of my career I had a thriving and successful massage business that brought in an income well into 6 figures annually.

Over the years I've had the privelege of working with many different therapists and I have observed both in them and in myself, what 'attributes' set the really successful massage therapists apart from those that we're struggling.

In my opinion here are the core 5.

1) Passion

Successful massage therapists love their work. In fact they couldn't imagine doing anything else that could possibly excite them and give them as much personal satisfaction and fulfilment as being a massage therapist. This genuine 'passion' is easily felt by their clients and keeps them coming back for more of that 'wonderful energy'.

2) Positivity

Successful massage therapists strive to maintain a positive attitude. They give themselves the confidence they need by 'choosing' to believe in themselves and their abilities. By focusing their desires, thoughts and actions on achieving specific goals they become more and more empowered. They are then able to more effectively empower their clients.

3) Entrepreneurial Spirit.

Successful massage therapists see their themselves as running a 'business'. They realize that they are both a 'provider' of massage and a 'marketer' of massage at the same time and that their success comes from doing both things well. They research and develop effective systems to both market, manage and grow their massage business and they also are continually on the look out for creative ways to 'leverage' their time and energy to increase their income beyond just performing massage.

4) Giving

Successful massage therapists are 'givers' plain and simple. They see themselves as offering a valuable 'service' to their clients and they really enjoy providing it to them. They have a genuine desire to really help improve their client's health and wellbeing and pride themselves on giving 110% in every treatment.

5) Walk Their Talk

Successful massage therapists follow their own advice. By this I mean they themseleves receive regular massage and are conscientious about living well and also achieving their dreams. They genuinely 'walk their talk' and this integrity makes what they say to their clients and the treatments they give to their clients all the more powerful.

Ultimately wherever you are today in your career, it has been your thoughts and actions (i.e. your decisions) that have brought you to where you are today.

If you have not yet created your ideal massage business, then you may find great benefit in further developing and practicing the above 5 attributes.

One thing that's for sure is that if you continue to think and act in the same way, then you will continue to experience similar results.

If we want a different result, then we need to take a different approach. It's really that simple.

Wishing you a happy, successful and fulfilling massage business!

Jamie Thomas is a marketing mentor and motivator to hundreds of massage therapists around the world and is the creator of http://www.massagemarketing.wordpress.com. A site loaded with FREE massage marketing and success tips for massage therapists.