sharpen your saw

Heard a story once about a man sawing down a tree in the woods. He was sawing for a long time and not making much progress. Another man passing by says to him:

"Sir you seem to be working for a long time and not making much progress. Why don't you stop and sharpen your saw?"

The man sawing is insulted, he responds:

"Can you not see? I am too busy sawing you dummy!"

Many of us get so busy, that we sometimes forget to stop and ask ourselves if what we are doing is working for us.
Is it still inspiring us?
Are we getting the results from our actions that we set out to get?
Do our habits make sense or are they leading us into a rut?

Today a busy salon professional can service well over 1200 clients a year and never take time to "stop and sharpen their saw".
Industry shows can be fun, inspiring and can be a great way to expose yourself to whats out there.
Once we get a taste for the type of "sharpening" that is right for us we can take the next step and attend an intensive workshop.
Workshops can range from one day to a week or more.
You can also attend an advanced academy that put on by anyone from Vidal Sassoon to Martin Parsons! With all that is available to us in this industry today Burnout should not be an option. Even if you are a veteran in this trade, it can sometimes be tempting to say "been there, done that". However, when I hear people say that it makes me feel sorry for their clients and the people who they work with!!
So, this is your challenge!!
Find ten classes or retreats that you would like to attend. Research them. Then narrow them down to at least 2 that you are willing to attend over the next 14 months. Next mark the time out of your salon and BUY A TICKET!! Preferably something you have to travel to!! Mark Twain said " Travel is fatal to ignorance, bigotry, and self centerdness." Get out of town!! Get out of your comfort zone!! And kiss that RUT Good-by!!

Here are a few suggestions on where to start. This should get a Pandora's box opened for ya!!

Martin Parsons seminars
Trevor Sorbie
Vidal Sassoon Academy
TiGI Academy
Redken Exchange NYC
Scott Cole and Melissa Yamaguchi
Irvine Rusk
Michael Della Penna
Chris Baran
Sam Villa
Carmondy Harmon
Michael Cole
Geno Stampora
Frank Gambuzza
Behind the Chair
Susie Fields Carter
Eric Fisher
NAHA
The Salon Association
Dom and Teri Gardino
Boho Artistic team
Scott Bentley and the B-Concept artistic team
British Hairdresser of the year
Wolrd hair Congress
Noah Hatton
Albe Mulcahy

And to help manage your new-found success on the business side check out the iBeautify.net stylist notebook
Organization and planning built for hairdressers by hairdressers.
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