Real-Life Psychological Barriers to Salon Success!
I just returned from a 5-day conference on Human Psychology and I wanted to give you the “cliff-notes” version of the lessons that I learned. I have to tell you…it was mentally draining and sitting in a conference room from 9am to 7:30pm everyday… is enough to send a person to the loony bin.
But, there were some real eye-opening things that I did learn from the experience. One being that…I really should attend these seminars at least a few times a year. Like many of you, I was always of the belief that I could never leave my business for 5 days and go to a seminar. What a crazy belief!
Not only did I learn a ton of information that I never knew before about myself – I also learned that my people can survive on their own for a week without me! And here I am thinking (like an idiot) that I always needed to be there. Now, think about it, do you have that same belief? Now imagine if you didn’t. Hmm.
Now, when I got back to Boston, I was still on California time. Talk about jetlag! Well, I was scanning the television, in a brutal state of insomnia, when I came across something at about 1am in the morning. It was more powerful than anything I’d learned all week at the seminar.
It was a taping of a PBS event that was done a few months ago with a famous spiritual teacher named Dr. Wayne Dyer. He was introducing the audience to a new book that he wrote called “Excuses Begone!”. And I have to tell you, it was so eye-opening…because I had just come from the event and it felt like he was actually talking to me.
One of the things we had to do at this psychology event was identify a “limiting belief” that we had and then try to solve it. Well, I had a hard time coming up with one. And it wasn’t because I didn’t have one (as you’ll learn in a minute). It was because I didn’t know what an actual “limiting belief” was!
Well, I have to tell you, this 3-hour “Excuses Begone!” program really provided me with a serious “Ah-ha” moment. We all have these limiting beliefs that we carry around with us like baggage. And these limiting beliefs actually prevent us from realizing our dreams. And the older you get – the more baggage you’re dragging around.
Now, I know that if you’re like me, when I start listing the top 15 limiting beliefs that most people have – you’ll have an “ah-ha” moment too. These limiting beliefs “freeze us” in place and prevent us from moving forward toward our dreams. And here they are.
I can’t afford it Never Happened before It’s going to be risky
There will be Family Drama It’s not my nature No one will help me
It will take a long time I don’t have the energy I’m too busy
I’m too old (or too young) It’s going to be difficult It’s too big
The rules won’t let me Personal Family History I’m not strong enough
Now, think about every time you make a decision to do something new, to buy something new, or to change something. When one of these thoughts pops into your head – it’s your limiting belief that’s holding you back. It’s really that simple.
Now, how do you rid yourself of these limiting beliefs? Well, that’s what Dr. Dyer’s book is all about. So, this is what I want you to do. Give yourself a present this New Year. Log into Amazon.com and at least buy his book (it’s about $15.00). But, if you truly want the experience – log into ebay.com and order the DVD copy of the event (it’s about $50 on auction).
This is the best present you can give yourself this year. Just think if you can eliminate one limiting belief. Your whole life could make a dramatic shift.
P.S. Be on the look out for information regarding the HairMax 3-day Salon Growth seminar that I will be holding in late March 2010. It will be bigger and better than last year’s seminar.
Have a Great Holiday Season, Steve Sampson
HairMax Salon Software is a product designed to be the best investment your salon has ever made. It is not only the easiest and most powerful salon management software on the market. It is from a company dedicated to becoming the ultimate VALUE source to the industry.
Becoming a Pro!
Ok, I’ve been getting a lot of requests for the reprinting of my “Becoming a Pro” post that I did last year. I read it over again…and it’s more appropriate this year than last year. For all you salon owners that need to send a message to staff members “from another voice”…feel free to send the link to this blog post. This one happened to be sent to salons, but I’m sure if we really think about it – we could send it to many businesses.
Reprint of December 2008 – Becoming a Pro
Let me start out by saying – Stop whining!
You live in the best country in the world, you have a job, you have an opportunity to make a ton of money (if you want it) – but if your like 95% of the people out there – you’re blowing it.
What do I mean?
Look, in every profession in the world – doctors, lawyers, computer people, marketing people, and even salon “professionals” – there are pros and there is everybody else.
That’s right 5% of the people are pro’s – and 95% of everybody else is just trying to look busy.
If you’re a pro – you have more business than you can handle. You have people calling you up every day wanting to do business with you. You can’t fit any more clients in because your day is filled with clients who are eager to see you again.
Clients look forward to speaking with you because you have that certain energy that very few people have. It’s addicting to them! Why? Because it’s rare.
Pro’s don’t worry about whether they make an extra 5% commission. They don’t work for the money (although they usually make 2-3 times as much as the next person) – they do it because they want to be the best. They care about the client because they understand it all comes back in the end.
Pro’s are never late. They’re not stupid enough to think that “being always late = being really popular”. It just means you’re delusional. And that 50% of your clientele walk out the door now muttering “I would leave that jackass in a second if I had a half a brain”.
The truth is that they will leave you. Because within 5 miles (or less) of your salon – there is someone better. They just haven’t met them yet.
Pro’s never stop learning. They’re always looking out for the newest technique that they can introduce to their clients. And they do it. Pro’s are doers – not watchers. They take risks and aren’t so fragile that they crumble when a client is unhappy. They just fix it and move on.
Pro’s don’t show up to work like they just crawled out of bed. They realize that they’re in the Beauty Business! When you see them, they’re always dressed well, their hair and makeup is done appropriately – whether it’s 8am or 9pm. They wouldn’t have it any other way.
Pro’s don’t sit around the break room and complain about being treated unfairly. They don’t need to – because they’re a pro. If you’re not busy – it’s not the economy – it’s you!
You can stick a pro in a new shop and within a day or two every client (that is in somebody else’s chair) wants to suddenly try them out. Why? Because they’re a pro.
Wouldn’t you?
When a client spends their money – they want a result. If your relationship with the client is getting stale – that’s your fault. They’re paying YOU to stay on top of it. And you’re not. They will leave you and you’ll be wondering “Geez, I wonder what happened to so-and-so, maybe they moved.” (Guess again)
Pro’s use everything to their advantage. If they have a salon management software package – they use it. They put little reminders in the client’s records so that when the client walks in the door – it’s like they never left. That’s a pro. They care that the client is impressed when they remembered something about them.
Clients want to feel important. Pro’s know this.
Unfortunately, 95% of workers, just think about themselves and want to blame everybody else for their troubles. It’s time to grow up. There is no Santa Claus – and nobody’s going to hand you a million dollars.
You’re pay right now is directly proportional to the value you bring. If you want to get paid more – bring more value. Become a Pro.
Best Regards, Steve Sampson
HairMax Salon Software is a product designed to be the best investment your salon has ever made. It is not only the easiest and most powerful salon software on the market. It is from a company dedicated to becoming the ultimate VALUE source to the industry.
