10 Ways to Prevent Career Burnout

MENTOR A NEWBIE. Remember how scary it was to have no skills, no clients, and no experience? Helping the next generation of nail techs will help you hone your skills and develop new ones — oh, and it helps the newbie too, of course.

“CHOOSE THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH WISELY,” says Diana Ahern of InSpa in Seattle. “It is often not what we do but who we work with that causes burnout. Look for coworkers who share the same customer service values,” she advises.

YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL ALONE. If it’s the constant housekeeping that goes into making your salon look good that stresses you out get some help. Hire a cleaning person to dust and mop and vacuum.

A LITTLE CHANGE CAN GO A LONG WAY. Look for ways to tweak your services and environment to keep them fresh. “I redecorate my station at least every couple of months,” says Bethany Boyd of KC’s Hair & More in Tucson, Ariz. Rearrange your retail area, change the names and fragrances of your services, add new services, or switch up your nail art selection.

TAKE A CLASS. “Education gives you that little boost to re-excite yourself about your career,” says salon owner and educator Kristina Baune of Ultimate Imagge Inc. in Redwood Falls, Minn.

TAKE A BREAK AND EAT SOMETHING. It seems simple, but too many nail techs forgo their meal breaks to squeeze in a client — and resentment builds as well as stress.

GO ON THE WARPATH — ON THE COMPETITION FLOOR. Every nail competition brings a sense of drama for the competitors, and even the most seasoned competitors learn something new. Competitions keep your skills sharp and the nail industry exciting.

WHAT’S NEXT? Wendy Updegrave of First Class Nails in East Lyme, Ct., suggests that you “always plan for the ‘next big thing.’ Even if it’s just painting your work area, having something new to look forward to keeps you going.”

TAKE CARE OF YOU. You’re in the business of taking care of others, but remember to “make time for yourself,” advises Deb Blowars of Artistic Trends Salon in Perkasie, Pa. “In my spare time I teach myself a new craft like scrapbooking or knitting.”Try simply relaxing with music or taking a yoga class.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. There are plenty of other careers out there. Sit down and consider your other career options and consider the benefits that doing nails affords you.“Once I started thinking of other possible ways to spend my days, it occurred to me I still have the best job,” says Maggie Franklin of Laughing Lady Salon in Visalia, Calif.“Perspective is a wonderful thing.”