Hairdresser Boredom

Hairdresser’s Boredom
Is it real? Is it normal?
Yes and Yes
Boredom by definition -Weariness, flatness, repetitiveness.
How do you know you’re in it? And, what to do with these feelings from another hairdresser’s point of view.
Boredom comes in waves with different triggers, could be clientele, stagnant creativity in the field, or it may just be the salon you’re working in. Whatever the occasion, you feel BORED doing what you’re doing, you can either act on it – let it flow till you get inspired or leave the industry for a while till you can sort it out.

Boredom with Clientele –

This type is a killer, it’s a love hate relationship. You’ve known Sally Sue for years, but you are growing weary of her problems, her lateness, the list goes on enter problem here______. Client personal problems are a norm in our business; however, it is our job to shine the light on positive thoughts. Sometimes the monotony of it all gets to us and BOOM! We get negative too.

In the beginning of a client-hairdresser relationship, informative banter of getting to know one another turns into you giving advice on whether he/she should leave a spose, have a surgery, stop drugs- start drugs, grow a garden or send kids off to a military school. Unfortunately more times than not our opinions matter on more than just hair issues. And that alone can be a heavy burden for a hairdresser to carry.

Not all clientele will fit with each hairdresser, you just need to weed out your problem people in a new way before you lose them. You may need to switch HOW you take these appointments.
Block shorter times to cut down on the time spent in chair- throw a color on his/her head and set up your next appointment 15 minutes later. Offer magazines, a book, a dryer to sit under to bide time. No need to be rude just become assertive in your anxiety of peoples problems. Change the subject- have the nail girl give her a mani while under the dryer. Find a way to deal with these people instead of bitching about them to the other girls. Fix it, keep your client and keep your money. This is a business keep that in mind, these problems are theirs not yours. Leave it at work.
Stagnant Creativity –

You know all about all the products. You have used every single thing out there. You know how to do up-do’s, you’re the master at color, and you want to push people off the professional stages and show em how it’s really done.
Bullshit Flag –

The industry is EXPLODING! You lazy toad! You don’t know everything and you won’t even come close with that attitude. Do you need inspiration? You bet!

Look…If you want to stay busy in your salon you’ll find a way to get inspired, and getting involved and up to date on new and inspiring things is completely— on you.

There are free classes, there are high dollar classes, and if you feel like this industry needs MORE then BECOME an instructor! Don’t lose your enthusiasm, and don’t paint yourself into a corner by not knowing how to do braids, relaxers because deep down you’re afraid of them.

You can’t be afraid of something you haven’t done. PRACTICE! We all do it! You’re no different. You may have to try more times than the next guy/girl –but you can do it *insert task here* Pull yourself together and Do it!
Boredom in the salon

Bored with said Salon you’re working in? Maybe You’ve worked in the same shop a week maybe a year, heck 10 years. It’s boring.
Ask yourself, is it the decor? The area? The lack of clientele? The workers? If the boredom comes from the aesthetics, ask your boss if you can paint it a different color, change your stationwith another stylist. Make your station more personal. Plant bushes outside, change the bathroom color. It never hurts to ASK – you may be surprised, owners get lazy sometimes—I said sometimes. And you pointing out a fresh look may be a welcome thing to hear.

If the issue is bigger than that, say-clientele is lacking, then we head on back to education, if everyone around you is going down in flames with clients – it’s probably due to the lack of knowledge that’s costing you guys the flow of people.

*Consider this…are you guys rude bitches? It’s a great question! People don’t want to deal with the attitudes and ever growing UP charger’s you dont deserve.*

The rule is you may only get one shot to sell yourself, don’t blow it by not offering new things and ideas.
Maybe the location hurts you- no one knows the shop is even there! Look into local papers- run an ad and if the owner won’t do it then run the ad yourself with JUST your name only and if anyone takes a client from that ad charge them, after all it was your money that got the person in.

Still Not Happy! Just leave the shop.
I know I know …Heather! Why do you keep saying leave if you’re not happy?

BECAUSE you’re not happy! Use the experiences of the past shop to influence your wants and needs from the next shop.
Recap- If you’re bored walk it down the list.
Can you change the situation? Can you deal with people? Can you take the time to get involved more within the industry? These are things only you can answer but figure it out soon—clients are waiting. So smile, figure your stuff out and get to work.
*being in this business for longer than 20 years gives me the right to say these things*
Heather Lea (finally) Owner Hair Loft on Linden