I used to be the anxious, overworked, malnourished hairstylist who lives off coffee and regularly experienced creative burnout [and gut issues.] Ya’ll, it does not have to be this way. I promise! The money will come and so will the joy. The clients who understand boundaries will still be there. The new ideas will come flowing in. Your relationships will get better and so will your health. You’ll have more time for all that you love. ______________________________ These are the things I implemented so I can still love my career and my days behind the chair : * hired an assistant (outsource) * automated my booking process * set working hours outside of the salon * no longer squeeze guests in and implemented a waitlist * increased my pricing so I no longer have to double or triple book. I only do it if I want to * apply a convenience fee when I am asked to come in on a scheduled day off * set time for lunch * eliminated services I no longer enjoy doing and reserved days for what I enjoy most (ie,. extensions are done on Fridays and now Fridays are my favorite day at work) * set days for clerical work and content creation * identified my niche and stuck to it * have as much fun as possible outside of work ___________________________ This allows for my clients, family and myself to get the best parts of me and not what’s left of me. It takes a little work to get yourself out of the rat race and hamster wheel in this industry but the point is to enjoy it for years to come and not just now. What are you doing for long-term happiness and freedom? 😌