Ready to set yourself up for success this year? Do something different and just say no to any New Year’s resolutions. Instead, re-focus on your goals for the year. When all is said and done, resolutions are actually goals, right? But often we don’t treat them that way, which is why we don’t follow through. What about setting a theme for your year instead?
Your theme is a word or a phrase that you set to guide you – in any area where you want to grow and develop. In this case, we’re talking about goals for becoming an esthetician (or growing as one) but it’s appropriate for any area where you want to change/develop/grow. Be sure to consider the goals you’d like to achieve this year so the theme you set will help you get there. Your theme will help you track your progress and guide you towards making good decisions.
The benefits to using a theme instead of making a resolution, according to Heather Moulder of Course Correction Coaching are:
1: A theme is flexible and more forgiving than a resolution.
You can set numerous goals within that theme that get fleshed out and met throughout the year. And if, along the way, you change your perspective on a goal – it’s easy to change course. All you have to do is re-think how you want it to work within the broader theme and move forward.
#2: A theme will help keep you on the right track when things don’t go as planned.
Your theme serves as a bigger vision and helps you be more willing to pause, reflect on your goals, and decide to go in a different or new direction when things don’t go as planned. As long as you continue to work within your theme you won’t feel like you’re failing at anything. You’ll feel you’re still on course (even after re-evaluating or changing your goals).
3. A theme helps you set bigger goals and actually achieve them
Because your theme serves as your big vision, it helps inspire you to set bigger goals. Plus, you’ll always have it in mind when making decisions so you’ll be less likely to give up when things get difficult.
Here are 5 goals we believe set great estheticians apart from good ones and can help you set your sights on rocking it in 2023!
1. Be an Excellent Communicator: Be an SBF: Simply Be Friendly. Smile, be warm, and be positive. Make sure your clients know they are your top priority. Always be clear, thorough, and confident during the time spent with the client. Keep slang and phrases like “you know” and “like” to a minimum in your conversation. They don’t demonstrate confidence or professionalism. Communicating effectively might seem obvious, but as an esthetics professional it is essential. You’ve only got one chance to make a great first impression. Bad impressions follow you, are harder to overcome, and result in poor customer retention.
2. Be a Retail Rockstar: You give the most amazing facials, you’re a peel queen and nobody can touch you in the wax room. But are you a rockstar retail educator? That is the key to product recommendation – don’t sell – educate. Be knowledgeable not only about products, but their ingredients and how they interact on the skin. Why do your clients need a certain product? What is the effect or desired result? Determine your clients skincare concerns and recommend products specific for those concerns. Your client is seeing you in order to receive a professional treatment and improve their skin. Homecare is as important as treatment if they want to see results.
3. Be Professional: Look, act, and BE the professional you are. Send the message that you are the expert. Appearance, hygiene, and attitude are as important as your expertise and the keys to gaining respect and becoming outstanding in your career.
4. Set Specific Goals: What do you want out of your career? What environment suits you best? Where would you like to work? What kinds of services do you want to perform? Who is your ideal client? How much money do you want to make? Where do you want to be in five years? In one year? Ask yourself these types of questions, come up with your own, and write down your answers. Make them specific and measurable. Remember, a goal is a dream with a deadline – emphasis on deadline.
5. Continue your education: Estheticians must ABL(e) – Always Be Learning! Don’t ever believe you’ve learned it all. This industry is constantly changing and evolving. Keep learning and you keep growing. Read professional trade journals and magazines to keep up with what’s going on and stay informed of current events that could impact your business. Take advantage of classes offered by product manufacturers and attend trade shows. Trade shows are an excellent way to take educational courses from industry experts (AND they’re a great venue for networking). Listen to podcasts, attend webinars, and enroll in memberships. We are firm believers in continuing education, and there’s no better way to keep growing than listening to industry experts and hearing about the latest skincare buzz happening in our industry.
