Coaching – surfing the universe

2025 Day 21: 60 Ways I can help Healers

2025-0121T-6060 Austin, TX

I’m behind on my daily blogging. I’m holding Carmel and her family in my heart. I am grateful that I met Carmel and many of her family, and they will all forever be in my thoughts. I’m grateful for the many conversations with friends that I have had over the last few days. I’m grateful that my mind is often happy, optimistic, and entertaining. I am grateful that even though my mind will give me regular doses of negative self-talk, it usually does so in a compassionate way.

Five years ago I posted 2020 Day 21: Surfing Universes – Life Coach – 60 Needs that Healers Have. I still have a dream of leveraging my talents to help healers. To move me closer to this dream, here is my first brainstorming list of how I can help.

1. Vision, Strategy, and Roadmap

Many healers feel overwhelmed when trying to translate their gifts into a sustainable business. Figuring out a long-term strategy, setting measurable goals, and knowing where to invest time and resources can be daunting. A clear roadmap helps ensure that each step you take is aligned with your core purpose and the needs of your clients.

• 1.1) I will help you define a long-term vision that honors your unique gifts and desired lifestyle.

• 1.2) I will support you in mapping out incremental goals so you can measure progress effectively.

• 1.3) I will show you how to prioritize tasks, ensuring you spend energy on what truly matters.

• 1.4) I will guide you in discovering the niche where your skills and passions best serve your audience.

• 1.5) I will help you adapt your roadmap when life circumstances or client demands change.

• 1.6) I will encourage you to integrate continuous learning and refinement into your overall strategy.

2. Infrastructure, Operations, and Legal

From choosing a workspace to establishing a reliable digital record-keeping system, setting up the operational “nuts and bolts” can be confusing. Legal concerns, ethical guidelines, and liability issues can further complicate this stage, preventing many healers from focusing on the healing work itself.

• 2.1) I will help you identify and set up the ideal workspace—whether that’s at home, a shared facility, or a private office.

• 2.2) I will guide you through creating or refining key operational systems for scheduling, communication, and record-keeping.

• 2.3) I will show you how to manage legal and liability considerations through well-structured contracts and ethical guidelines.

• 2.4) I will ensure you understand the basics of protecting your intellectual property.

• 2.5) I will help you plan for contingencies, such as sickness or extended time off, to maintain consistent client care.

• 2.6) I will provide resources to help you stay organized and compliant with industry regulations.

3. Financial Management and Cash Flow

Financial uncertainty is a major source of stress, especially for those transitioning from a day job to full-time practice. Questions about budgeting, cash flow, and retirement savings can feel overwhelming. A solid financial foundation gives you the peace of mind to focus on what you do best—healing.

• 3.1) I will guide you in creating a realistic budget that meets both personal and professional needs.

• 3.2) I will help you develop a strategy for setting aside retirement savings, even during lean periods.

• 3.3) I will show you how to track income and expenses efficiently, minimizing year-end tax surprises.

• 3.4) I will provide insights into legitimate deductions and tax strategies relevant to healers.

• 3.5) I will support you in planning a smooth transition from part-time side hustle to full-time practice.

• 3.6) I will help you understand borrowing options and risks so you can make informed financial decisions.

4. Marketing and Outreach

Attracting and retaining clients can be challenging, especially in a crowded marketplace. Healers often struggle to communicate their value proposition or figure out which marketing channels will effectively reach their ideal clientele. A thoughtful marketing and outreach plan ensures you connect authentically with those who most need your services.

• 4.1) I will work with you to identify your ideal client and develop messaging that resonates.

• 4.2) I will help you structure a process to attract your first, tenth, and hundredth loyal client.

• 4.3) I will show you how to leverage both free and paid advertising channels without feeling “salesy.”

• 4.4) I will guide you in creating a strong social media presence aligned with your personal voice.

• 4.5) I will demonstrate how to build thriving communities—both online and locally—around your offerings.

• 4.6) I will teach you methods to gather meaningful client testimonials and feedback for social proof.

5. Product and Service Development

Defining what exactly you’re selling—whether it’s a one-on-one service, group classes, or digital content—can be complex. Understanding your customers’ real needs and refining offerings based on feedback are critical for long-term success. Clarity here means you stay relevant and innovative in a competitive market.

• 5.1) I will help you design a minimal viable product or service that meets immediate client needs.

• 5.2) I will guide you in validating your ideas through pilot programs and targeted feedback.

• 5.3) I will show you when it makes sense to pivot, refine, or expand your offerings based on results.

• 5.4) I will help you maintain authenticity and integrity while evolving your services to meet client demands.

• 5.5) I will coach you on pricing strategies, including when and how to offer discounts or sliding scales.

• 5.6) I will support you in creating pathways for customer feedback and reviews to continuously improve.

6. Personal Growth and Self-Care

Healers often dedicate their energy to others, risking burnout if they neglect their own mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Personal growth and self-care fuel the resilience and empathy required to sustain a healing practice.

• 6.1) I will show you how to design daily routines that replenish your physical and emotional energy.

• 6.2) I will help you balance the demands of client work with personal time for rest and rejuvenation.

• 6.3) I will guide you in setting clear boundaries that protect your well-being and professional relationships.

• 6.4) I will encourage you to engage in ongoing self-development, keeping your healing practice fresh.

• 6.5) I will remind you of the importance of joy, play, and creativity as core parts of a sustainable life.

• 6.6) I will share techniques for managing stress and preventing burnout before it sabotages your business.

7. Work-Life Integration

Even with solid self-care, it can be tough to integrate the demands of running a business with relationships, family responsibilities, and personal goals. Achieving work-life harmony ensures you stay emotionally grounded and present for clients and loved ones alike.

• 7.1) I will help you identify areas of your life that need attention and set realistic boundaries.

• 7.2) I will guide you in prioritizing tasks and delegating when possible, so you don’t become overwhelmed.

• 7.3) I will show you how to structure your schedule in ways that honor both personal commitments and client needs.

• 7.4) I will encourage open communication with loved ones about the challenges and rewards of self-employment.

• 7.5) I will help you plan for vacations and time off, ensuring smooth business operations while you recharge.

• 7.6) I will share strategies for staying focused on personal growth, even when business demands intensify.

8. Communication and Negotiation

Speaking up about fees, handling client expectations, and navigating collaborative relationships can be intimidating. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential for sustaining a positive reputation and securing fair agreements.

• 8.1) I will teach you communication techniques that help you convey professionalism and compassion.

• 8.2) I will support you in discussing rates and boundaries confidently, ensuring mutual respect with clients.

• 8.3) I will show you how to negotiate win-win solutions when bartering or partnering with other practitioners.

• 8.4) I will provide guidance on handling challenging conversations—such as refund requests or client dissatisfaction.

• 8.5) I will empower you to protect your professional reputation through clarity and consistency in all interactions.

• 8.6) I will help you leverage strong relationships to expand your network and build a supportive community.

9. Technology and Remote Offerings

Healers often find technology daunting. From managing a website to hosting remote sessions or webinars, embracing the right tools can amplify your impact but also introduce new complexities. Striking the balance between tech-savvy and authentic human connection is key.

• 9.1) I will show you how to set up and maintain user-friendly digital platforms, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

• 9.2) I will guide you in choosing the most effective webinar and video conferencing tools for remote sessions.

• 9.3) I will teach you how to back up critical client data and safeguard sensitive information.

• 9.4) I will demonstrate how to implement automation (like email marketing) without losing a personal touch.

• 9.5) I will help you streamline your online presence—whether through social media, your own website, or an online store.

• 9.6) I will recommend best practices for working remotely, from maintaining client privacy to effective communication.

10. Growth, Scaling, and Advanced Strategies

Some healers aspire to expand beyond a one-person practice—perhaps by hiring staff, accepting partners, or seeking outside investment. Scaling requires strategic thinking, risk assessment, and the willingness to evolve your role within the business.

• 10.1) I will assess your readiness for expansion, helping you determine whether to hire, partner, or seek investors.

• 10.2) I will guide you in creating a scalable infrastructure that supports additional staff or practitioners.

• 10.3) I will help you find affordable health care for yourself and your employees..

• 10.4) I will help you plan exit strategies or succession plans, should your life or goals change unexpectedly.

• 10.5) I will encourage you to share your expertise—through speaking engagements, collaborations, or publishing—so you can reach a wider audience.

• 10.6) I will help you leverage advanced marketing tactics and partnerships for sustainable, ethical growth.

These ten categories address the full spectrum of challenges that healers often face. My goal is to assist you in these areas so you can focus your energy on healing others. If you are a Healer, please comment below and let me know how I can best help you from this list (or otherwise).

2020 Day 30: Needs that Healers Have – Determining Market Value

In 2020 Day 28: Helping Healers determine what to charge for their offerings, I discussed how to determine what to charge for products and services. I presented a couple of equations:

Cost of Product/Service < Price of Product/Service < Price Customer Will Pay

Price Customer Will Pay < Customer’s Perceived Value

I also noted that it can be difficult to determine the customer’s perceived value of a healer’s offering. If measured by the benefit to the customer, the value could be unbounded in many cases. However, often customers use the price of similar offerings to create a perceived value without considering the actual value to the customer. For instance, if a customer can find multiple places offering $50 one-hour massages, then they may come to perceive the value of a one-hour massage at $50.

A different way to determine a customer’s perceived value is to give customers a coupon for any one of a group of products and/or services and see which one they pick. With enough coupons, this will give you relative values of your products and/or services.

A third way is to just ask your customers how much they value your offerings. Understand the non-monetary value in as much detail as possible. From this you may be able to find competing offerings that would give the customer the same non-monetary values.

If your offering requires your customer to commit a certain amount of their time, then you need to factor in how much your customer values their time. Imagine a customer who makes $100/hr after taxes. Then they are already spending $100 of their time for a one-hour massage. Whether they consider this consciously or not, these customers will normally be less price sensitive than someone who values their time at only $25/hr after taxes. This is not just a factor of the amount of disposable income each person has. It is related to how much they value their time.

The perceived scarcity of your offering will greatly affect its perceived value. If your offering is seen as a commodity, then it will have a value similar to that commodity. If your offering is seen as one-of-a-kind, then its value is determined by your offering price and the demand from customers who can afford your price.

2020 Day 28: Helping Healers determine what to charge for their offerings

This is post number 4 of a series of posts going through 2020 Day 21: Surfing Universes – Life Coach – 60 Needs that Healers Have. I’m focusing this series on individual healers serving other individuals.

In 2020 Day 26: Helping Healers identify products and services to offer I offered some questions that you can ask yourself in order to brainstorm and narrow down the products and services you wish to offer to your desired target market. In this post, I’d like to discuss how to determine a price to charge for your products and services.

For a sustainable business, the price you charge for a product or services needs to be greater than the cost to the business and less than the amount that the customer is willing to pay. The amount the customer is willing to pay is different than the value to the customer. The customer may not even be aware of the actually value of the product or service. In fact, it may have no value or infinite value, and both the healer and client may be unaware of the true value. What does matter somewhat is the customer’s perceived value of the product or service in the moment that they commit to purchase the product or service.

Cost of Product/Service < Price of Product/Service < Price Customer Will Pay

Price Customer Will Pay < Customer’s Perceived Value

While it is difficult to determine the value of a product or service to a customer, especially for those in a healing profession, it is not difficult to determine the customer’s perceived value. This can be done easily by setting different prices for a product or service and seeing how many people pay that price. If you want to geek-out on this, you can calculate and graph the price elasticity of demand for each of your products and services. I would encourage you to have an intuitive feel for how changes in price affect the demand for your offerings. This will give you information either about your customer’s perceived value of your products/services or their ability to pay.

Price Customer Will Pay < Customer’s Ability to Pay

It’s good to know which of these, your customer’s perceived value or their ability to pay, is more of a factor in limiting the price your customer will pay. You can gain information on this by offering a sliding scale along with trying different top prices. You can also gain information on this through adopting a “gift” price determined by the customer.

For the minimum price to charge, you must know the full cost of your product/service. If it’s a product, it will have a Cost-Of-Goods-Sold (COGS) amount which includes the total per-item cost of the product. You will also have the overhead for you business which includes all of the fixed costs that don’t directly depend on the amount of products/services you sell. Advertising is best considered as a separate cost. Ideally, you would have focused advertising and track your advertising costs for each product/service. Then you can more easily calculate your Advertising Cost of Sales (ACoS) for each product/service. For services, the COGS should include the total costs of the employees, including yourself, who are providing the services. Your per item Profit will then be your Price charged minus the COGS and ACoS.

Profit = Sales of Product/Service – COGS – ACoS

2020 Day 26: Helping Healers identify products and services to offer

This is post number 3 of a series of posts going through 2020 Day 21: Surfing Universes – Life Coach – 60 Needs that Healers Have. I’m focusing this series on individual healers serving other individuals.

Determining the products and services you offer is an important step in developing a successful healing practice. This step should be done immediately after determining your desired target market. You may revisit your desired target market after completing this step.

Below are some questions to help you brainstorm and narrow down your potential products and services. Writing (or typing) the answers down will help you gain clarity.

What are the needs of my desired target market? What challenges do they have? What products or services are they currently paying for? What products or services would address their needs or challenges?
What are my unique strengths? What do my friends say are my unique strengths (ask them)? What would my friends pay me for (ask them)? What products or services have I purchased for myself or others that I could offer to others?
What products or services have I made or offered in the past? What products or services am I qualified to make or offer currently? What products or services would I like to be qualified to make or offer in the future?
What products or services do I wish that someone offered to me earlier in my life? What impact would this have had on my life?
What products or services would, by providing these to my desired target market, make the world a better place? How would this occur?
What products or services would, by offering them, give me a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection? Why?
What products or services can I see myself most easily providing? What products or services do I feel would be a challenge for me to provide? Why?
If I provided just one product or service, what would it be? Why?
Which products or services would I be willing to offer for free to my friends and family? Which would I be willing to offer for free to anyone on a limited basis? Which would I be willing to offer at half-price to anyone? Which would I only offer if I were paid full price? Why?
Which products or services do I feel I would be most successful in offering? Why?

2020 Day 24: Identifying your desired target market

Brainstorm item #2 in 2020 Day 21: Surfing Universes – Life Coach – 60 Needs that Healers Have is identifying your desired target market, which is the set of people or businesses to which you plan to offer your products and/or services. By example, my desired target market for this blog post includes human healers, worldwide, who can read and understand English (or perhaps translations of English). I’m not targeting corporations. I’m not targeting entrepreneurs in non-healing professions. It doesn’t matter that corporations and non-healing entrepreneurs might also benefit from reading this blog post. I have chosen to exclude them from my desired target market. This focus is important, from both a practical marketing point of view, and a universe surfing point of view.

When identifying your desired target market, think about the present moment first. Then consider further out in time, e.g. one month, one year, one decade. Notice how you feel as you consider any changes in your desired target market over time. Also consider narrowing and expanding your market and notice how you feel. Guide yourself through meditations in which you consider serving different markets. Notice your feelings during these meditations. If your meditations go well, you will gain some insight into your desired target market. This may present itself as an “ah-ha” moment, or perhaps as an energetic happy glow within your chest (fourth chakra if you count such things) when you are meditating on a specific target market.

By going through this process, you will use both your mind and your body to select your desired target market. One final step is needed and that is to consider your spirit. This is where you connect your market to your own personal higher purpose, as much as you understand that through your own spiritual development to date. Look inside yourself and identify personal stories from your past that are important to serving your market. Be able to explain to anyone who asks why this particular target market is important to you.

As another example, I’m going to continue with the business for which I posted a business plan for yesterday in 2020 Day 23: My longest run 5.47 in 53:33 and Life Coach business plan. After meditating on it just now, thinking it through, and giving it the spirit test, I see my desired target market to be English speaking healers of any age, residing anywhere, who are providing products and/or services that I would want to provide myself if I had their talents, energy, and inspiration. During the meditation, I felt myself drawn to focus on women. I see an initial market that is focused on members of the same community who are in a limited number of female-dominated healing professions.