Happy spring equinox! Spring officially begins today (Mar. 20). The flowers are in bloom (my peach blossoms especially!), and it’s the perfect time to start fresh if you haven’t yet had the chance to do so this year. Sure, we’re three months into the year, but I like to take any chance I get to learn from past mistakes and plan out new goals. Whether it’s to save up to buy new pedicure chairs, add new signature pedicure services to your service menu, or to make more time for yourself or for your family, plan things out steadily and with care to ensure your success.
Start with a goal and a timetable. What specific and achievable goal would you like to accomplish this year? Is it to add a gel-polish service to your menu? (If you already offer gel-polish or are thinking about it, read up on proper gel-polish removal here.) Do you want to offer your clients complimentary drinks? (Read this article on offering alcoholic beverages if you're thinking about it.) Do you want to draw better nail art? (Get inspired with these step-by-step nail art tutorials.) Write down your goals and the date you want to accomplish them, then start filling in your calendar with weekly steps to move forward toward your goal.
If you’re as forgetful of your own goals as I am of mine, there are a few online services and apps that help you e-mail or text yourself reminders. One online service that also offers an iPhone and Android app is called Remember The Milk. Sign up for a free account to manage your tasks and access your account online or through a smartphone. It also syncs with Google Calendar.
Don’t get discouraged if you fall behind. Stay positive! There will always be obstacles and circumstances that may be impossible to prepare for. Don’t quit! It’s easy to fall back into comfort and habit, but you can stay driven to meet your goal.
On a personal side note, I have been pushing myself to run one mile weekly to get more fresh air and to increase my energy/productivity, but instead of having it dauntingly stare me down on my calendar, I started an excel sheet where I actively write in the date and place I ran. It automatically adds up in a separate cell so I can watch the miles accumulate. This doesn’t work for everyone, nor does it work for more sophisticated tasks, but I look forward to filling this out after every run, it pushes me to work at it, and I want to work even harder to make up for days I happen to miss.
Sènsé Nail Spa in Seattle documented the demolition and reconstruction of their salon six years ago and shared it on their social networking sites.
Promote each milestone. You don’t have to go it alone. Promote your milestones on your salon’s Facebook page. Post photos from the trade shows and nail classes you’re attending. If you’re trying out new nail art, post photos of art that inspires you. Display your new product purchases in your salon. Your clients would love to hear about your achievements and you can get them excited to try something new.
Blu Water Day Spa & Salon celebrated the completion of their new hair studio with a promotion for their Facebook fans.
Celebrate when you get there. Accomplishing your goal won’t happen overnight. It just takes a mental commitment and the will to keep it going, little by little. Every little bit adds up significantly over time, and before you know it, you will have accomplished your goal. Then celebrate with your salon staff and clients when you make it!
Let us know about the goals you’ve set for yourself or for your salon, we’d love to hear about them. We'd especially love to hear about them in a few months after you've completed your goals.
— Kim
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