On the whole, the nail techs I have the good fortune to work with every day are a passionate bunch. But anyone can fly her enthusiasm flag now and then. I was just reading an article written by salon coach Bryan Durocher (he’s also one of NAILS’ Coaching Chronicles bloggers) on keeping your passion alive. I really like this exercises he offers to help you hone your vision and reconnect to the passion that drew you to this industry in the first place:

We all have to take the time to slow down from our busy and hectic juggling act called life and really think about what it is we want. Now, that is easier said than done. The best way to figure out what it is that we do want and have passion for is to start with a “vision statement.” This is what your ideal and perfect life would be like. This is where you write down exactly what your life would be like if there was nothing stopping you. What would your life look like, feel like? How would you spend your time? Create that perfect schedule that suits your needs. Write how your career will bring you passion so that you are excited to go to work every day. How would you spend time taking care of yourself? Make it complete, and don’t leave anything out or it will be left out.

Use your statement as a guideline to determine the activities or things that bring you the most joy, creativity, excitement, and passion. These could be secret dreams you have had your whole life and have never told anyone or something you have always longed to do or create. When you determine what it is that you really want, the process of turning a desire or dream into reality comes about much faster.

— Judy