Congratulations on graduating from beauty school! You have picked an amazing career.
Your first year can be a whirlwind of emotions and experiences. While I remember the excitement, it was often overshadowed by uncertainty and fear. Don’t let that discourage you though because I’m proof that with the right mindset and by putting some strategies into place, you’ll not only be able to survive your first year, but you’ll be able to thrive in this industry!
Here are some proven strategies that I learned from mentors along the way:
Embrace Positivity
Your thoughts have so much power over your success. I can’t express just how crucial it is to stay positive!
While you’re going through the inevitable learning curve, remember that every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, shift your mindset. Ask yourself “What can I learn from this situation?” Find the lesson within the experience so you know how to handle it better next time.
Positivity attracts more positivity. And likewise. Negativity draws negativity to you as well. So be intentional. The next time you feel negative thoughts creeping into your mind, stop them as soon as you realize that’s where you’re headed. Instead flip your thoughts to focus on the fact that you’re learning and growing. That’s a very positive thing! And you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by new opportunities.
Learn from Your Mistakes
You're going to make mistakes. You're going to have clients that aren't happy. It’s inevitable; especially when you're first starting out as a hairstylist. Rather than beating yourself up over them, view each mistake as a learning experience. Real life, on-the-job training, if you will. This is how you’ll grow and improve your skills.
I encourage you to keep a journal. At the end of the day, write down what you learned from each error that you made or each experience that you've had. Write down how you feel and how you can do better next time.
Taking the time to reflect on each situation will have a huge positive impact, and it will help you look at the situation differently – as an opportunity rather than as a failure.
I challenge you to then take it a step further and practice. Set up your mannequin head and practice the right way to handle that cut. This reflective practice will not only accelerate your growth, but it will also build your confidence.
Stay Humble and Teachable
Humility, my Friend, is the key ingredient to success. No one knows everything. And it's OK to ask for help. In fact, if you ask any successful hairstylist, they will tell you that they would not be where they are in their career if they didn’t ask for help. They also had to take it a step further and accept the help from others.
Being humble allows you to be teachable. I encourage you to seek mentorship and guidance. This will fast-track your learning curve and provide you with invaluable insights that you might not have discovered on your own.
I have seen far too many hair stylists refuse to ask for help and try to do it all on their own. But that usually leads to burn-out and eventually they walk away from their career as a hairstylist. That breaks my heart.
Prioritize Self-Care
Taking care of your body and mind is essential for a long and successful career as a hairstylist and especially to get you through this first year.
I encourage you to make time for regular exercise. Get enough rest and eat nutritious and healthy foods.
Your physical health directly impacts your energy levels and your performance.
Guard your mindset. Feed your mind with inspirational books like The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson or Daring Greatly by Brené Brown. These books offer powerful lessons on mindset, resilience, and personal growth.
Embrace the Discomfort
Learning something new can be very uncomfortable and awkward. But that's just a natural part of growth.
Embrace it.
This discomfort is a sign that you’re growing and you're pushing your boundaries and you're expanding your skills.
I promise you, overtime, what once felt challenging and overwhelming will become second nature to you, and you’ll look back and be so proud of how far you've come.
Surround Yourself with Positive and Like-Minded People
Trust me when I say that your environment greatly influences your mindset and your motivation. Which in turn leads to your success.
So, surround yourself with others who are aspiring and positive people dedicated to their craft and who have set goals to succeed.
I encourage you to find networking groups such as memberships like On Point Hair Academy. Being part of supportive community will keep you inspired and help you stay forward-thinking. It'll keep you from getting into the trenches of feeling sorry for yourself and feeling like a failure.
Set Realistic Goals
Take time to break down your long-term goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Put them into action and celebrate each achievement along the way.
For instance: Learn how to cut a Bob. Practice it until you get it. And then celebrate when you do.
Continue Your Education
Never stop learning! NEVER! I encourage you to attend hands-on in-person workshops. If you can't find any in your area, be sure to check out On Point Hair Academy for our ongoing workshops.
Watch tutorials online and stay updated with the latest trends and techniques. And then practice them.
Stay Organized
Keep your workspace organized and clean. This will not only help reduce stress, but it'll also improve your efficiency as a hair stylist.
Your first year as a new hairstylist is just the beginning of an exciting journey. By maintaining a positive mindset and learning from your experiences and taking care of yourself, you'll set a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling career.
Remember, every great stylist started where you are right now. With perseverance and passion, you'll reach your goals.
Keep practicing, keep pushing forward, stay inspired and enjoy the ride!
On Point Hair Academy was created for stylists like you who need just a little help (or a lot of help) in different areas of their hairstyling business. You don’t have to take this hairstyling journey alone.
Let’s connect!
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Remember, your work is not about you. Your work is about how you make your clients feel.