We’ve all fallen victim to “I’ll get to that later” and for a salon or spa owner the consequences of putting things off can be substantial. Repairs are not tended to, supplies go unordered and bills pile up. The pains of this neglect eventually trickle down to your staff, affecting productivity and morale. This naturally hurts where it counts with customer service and eventually your bottom line.
While tools like a reward system for every completed task can help in the short-term, truly shaking off the procrastination bug requires that you dig deep to the root of the cause. Here are some potential explanations for why you put things off:
Perceived Failure
Anxiety about failure is understandable. After all you didn’t go into business to fail. However there’s huge difference between failing and quitting. Think of missed opportunities as growing pains with invaluable lessons embedded within them. Upon facing your fears and realizing that failure is a rite of passage, you’ll be more equipped to embrace future successes.
Bracing for Success
While fear of failure seems obvious, fear of success can be a real challenge as well. Do major life changes cause you some pause? Reconcile with the consequences of your success and how they’ll affect your path in life.
The Burnout
You’re likely familiar with the saying “If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life.” It may have even be your motivation for becoming a business owner. Still, at times managing the various responsibilities within the business can start to feel like a grind. Just remember that it’s important to take a break, re-group and refresh. This much needed breather will give you a fresh perspective for tackling any issue.
A Lack of Focus
Distractions are rampant in a salon, causing important tasks to be delayed while other, more immediate concerns are dealt with. With careful evaluation you may find these “immediate concerns” are getting more attention than they deserve. For optimal time management treat each task like you would a booking: Block out a reasonable amount of time to start and complete your project. Do whatever it takes to stick to the schedule and then reward yourself upon completion.
Outside the Comfort Zone
Projects that fall outside of your comfort zone or skillset are easily pushed off. If the skills required for a pending task will benefit you in the short-term, allocate time towards learning it now. If the skill is niche or not likely to be used again, hand it off to an employee or contractor better suited for the project. Your energy is better spent on tasks within your wheelhouse.
Too Much to Handle
Don’t be deceived by the overused term “I work better under pressure” – some projects are just too overwhelming to start but procrastinating will only paint you into a corner. Break larger tasks down into smaller, organized segments and check them off the list as they’re completed. This will give you a sense of accomplishment to help carry you through your day.
Emotional Barriers
The ultimate and most important potential cause of procrastination is emotional strain. This must be addressed immediately for it’s impossible to make any progress with a mound of emotions piling up. Be conscientious to discover and get to the root of what you’re feeling. This honest assessment, though difficult, is absolutely necessary for moving forward.
Leave a Reply