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On the mornings when it’s hard to get out of bed, what do you tell yourself to motivate yourself to go to work?
Looking for a positive way to get motivated and go to work each day? These readers share their secrets (and sense of purpose!) which will surely inspire you.
by Reader to Reader
September 1, 20083 min to read
On the days when I find it hard to wake up, I remember a story my teacher told me in school. What was the moral of the story? Be a day-maker! You never know what could be going on in someone’s life before they came to you. Who knows, my doing her nails might make her feel beautiful and cheer her up because she just had a fight, was diagnosed with a disease, or got fired from work. In that hour that she is with me, I can turn her day around. To me, that’s always worth waking up for! — Jade Olszewski, Oasis Tanning & Spa, Havre, Mont.
I’m always asked why I’m so excited to work. Simple, doing nails is a way to let out the art that is inside. I also work at Michaels Crafts, another outlet for creativity. There is an art to applying acrylic, polish, and nail art. I enjoy doing nail art so much that I feel “cheated” if a client opts not to get art during an appointment. I like to be challenged with designs clients can come up with. — Kathleen M. M. Ringwood-Wood, My Nails Rock!, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
In the shower I’ll add a few drops of peppermint essential oil into the water to wake me up. Then, I’ll listen to some ’70s disco. If I have something new to wear, I’ll wear that or at least I’ll dress up more than I usually do. In the car I’ll listen to a Geno Stampora motivational pep talk. If all else fails, I’ll drink a Red Bull Sugarfree. — Mercedes Prendergast, Rosa Martinez for Studio Artur, Jenkintown, Pa.
Not very often, but sometimes I don’t want to go to work at all. Then I look at my appointments and since I have all good people it makes me happy to visit with them. We always laugh and have a fun time doing nails. So I say a little prayer “Lord, please make this a good day today” and then I jump in the shower. Having a strong work ethic helps, too, because I have never played hooky for my own personal enjoyment and left my clients in a lurch. Then when I get to work the time usually flies! — Jill Wright, Jill Wright Spa for Nails, Bowling Green, Ky.
My clients’ enthusiasm and excitement about getting their nails done keeps me motivated to get up and go to work. It brings a smile to my face that these women are anxiously waiting to see what new and artistic creation I will come up with next. In addition to that I am an example to my daughter, so it is very important that she sees me display a strong work ethic. — Camille Mason, Screamin’ Mimi’s Nails, Toledo, Ohio
I’d like to think that I’m making people’s days brighter by showing up to work — by being an ear to bend, a shoulder to cry on, a place to relax, and by making women look pretty and feeling better about themselves. I also have the opportunity to spread tidbits of info about healthy nails and safety issues. You never know when sharing this knowledge saves somebody a staph infection they could have gotten from a negligent salon. — Kelli Burleson, Harlow’s, Grand Blanc, Mich.
NEXT QUESTION: How do you let clients know you’re raising your prices? [Answers will be printed in the December 2008 Issue.] Share your opinion on the topic by e-mailing your response by September 15 to sree.roy@bobit.com or at www.nailsmag.com/forums under “Discuss the Current Issue.” Please include your name, salon name, city and state with your response.
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