Nails Magazine Supplements

The Big Book 2016/2017

Magazine for the professional nail industry.

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78 | NAILS MAGAZINE | 2016-2017 THE BIG BOOK HOW TO DO EVERYTHING BETTER GUIDE: ... EVEN BETTER How to Find More Peace in Your Day No matter how much you love your job and your clients, every now and then you're going to have one of those days when you want to run from the salon and never come back. You know, those days when every client seems to have the same agenda — to annoy and aggravate. It may be the client who runs late, who can't decide on a color, or can't articulate what she wants. It may be the no-show or the non-tipper. Regardless of the particular irritation, you're in a service industry and you're expected to maintain your smile. This is not always easy, but it is possible. To help you find your own moments of Zen, here are a few tools to help you keep smiling. Count to 10: Once we enter the grown-up world of working for a living, we forget this little trick. Can you duck into the restroom for a moment? Or back to the stockroom to retrieve a supply? Stand for a moment. Be still. And count to 10. If you can't physically leave the stressful situation, quiet yourself. Don't say a word. Mentally count to 10. Connect with nature: Nature soothes the wild beast — and that includes us. While long walks through the forest and relaxing weekends on the beach restore our soul and give us peace, they're usually not feasible on a daily basis. Is there a spot in your backyard that offers serenity? Is there a park nearby where you can eat your lunch and recharge? Even a small courtyard area, perhaps with a tree or a fountain, can offer an area of respite. Look for the good: Looking for the good increases our joy and gratitude and enhances our overall quality of life. Can you find the good in a no-show? Use the unexpected downtime to do your own nails, clean the salon, or even make phones calls on your to-do list. Then you won't feel like you're wasting time. Meditate: Meditation can give a sense of calm and peace, reducing stress and benefiting our emotional well-being and overall health. The emotional benefits can include increasing your ability to manage stress, reducing negative emotions, and gaining a new perspective on stressful situations. Reward yourself: This nifty little trick still works. Reward yourself with treats. If I don't say the ugly things I want to say, I'll treat myself to [reward of your choice]. If I remain pleasant for one week, I'll treat myself to [an even bigger reward]. What positive traits do you want to reinforce? What negative behaviors can you diminish? Start with an easy goal, and think about the rewards that would reinforce smiling through your appointments. Walk around the block: Sometimes just getting away from the salon environment is the break that maintains sanity. If you can get a quick break between clients, walk around the block or the shopping center. You can't control what your client does or how she acts, but you can control your reactions. Keep smiling. At the end of the day, you go home happier with yourself, and leaving with a smile on your face is always the best reward. How to Get Your Salon More Immaculate If you're not in the habit of deep cleaning your salon, you should add it to the list of what it takes to be a successful salon owner. Start with the Manicure Stations Take everything off the counters. Clean off the dust from your lamp and workstation. Wash your bottles and condense them. Do you use everything that's currently on top of or in each station? Make sure you only have the essentials within arm's reach. Anything else that is used infrequently or not at all can be stored somewhere else or thrown out. Imagine how your station looks from FEEL >>>

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