The Unexpected Business Lesson I Learned at the Hair Salon

Have you ever found yourself trying to force things to work the same old way, even though it’s clearly not effective anymore? I recently had a light bulb moment at the hair salon that highlighted this exact struggle and reminded me of a valuable business lesson worth sharing.

The Hair Situation

I’ve worn my hair in a similar style for years, but lately, it just hasn’t been cooperating. I’m not sure why – could be age, gray hair, or simply the way my hair is growing – but it hasn’t been working. My hair stylist and I joked several times about changing the direction of my part to go where my hair was naturally flowing, but I resisted. I was used to the way my hair had always looked and wasn’t ready to make a change.

However, one day I had my light bulb moment and decided to give it a shot. We changed the direction of my part, and it looked and felt better. This simple act of deciding to work WITH my hair rather than AGAINST it, removed stress from my daily routine, and got me thinking about how this same principle can be applied to business.

Applying it to Business

As a business owner, you have dreams, goals, and a vision for your business. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, things just don’t go as planned. Have you ever been stuck in your ways in your business, like I was with my hair? Where you’ve held on too tightly to something (or someone) that used to work, but then circumstances changed, and those ways no longer work? I think we all have, at one point or another, but trying to fit a square peg into a round hole will only lead to frustration, inefficiency, and a serious lack of effectiveness.

A Fresh Perspective

This is where I come in – to be the one who pushes back a bit so you can see the bigger picture and find new ways to achieve your goals. Just like my hair stylist guided me to a better solution for my hair, I am here to open your thinking up to new possibilities. What are you fighting against that you could be working with? What if, instead of fighting against the changes, you embraced them? What if you adapted your way of doing things to align with the changing conditions? What if you decided to go with the flow and work with the way things are instead of the way you wish they would be? I think you’d find freedom and a new sense of purpose and energy. Changing doesn’t mean you’re giving up, taking the easy way out or giving up on principles, but rather finding a new (and maybe even better) way of doing things that will still help you accomplish your goals.

What You Can Do

If you’ve been pushing up against some changes in your business, and avoiding the inevitable changes, here are a few practical steps you can take to embrace change:

1. Evaluate Your Current Methods: Regularly assess the way you do things – your processes and workflows. Are they still effective, or are you holding onto them out of habit?
2. Be Open to New Ideas: Sometimes, the best solutions come from unexpected places. Don’t be afraid to try new approaches or ask for suggestions from those around you.
3. Work with Your Environment: Understand the current business environment and adapt your strategies to fit it. This might mean embracing new technologies, adjusting your business model, or changing your marketing tactics.
4. Seek Professional Guidance: Just like my hair stylist provided great insight, seek advice from mentors, consultants, or others who can offer a fresh perspective on your business challenges.
5. Reflect and Adjust: Take time to reflect on changes and their impact. If something isn’t working, be willing to pivot and try something else.

Achieving Success

For the past year, I was frustrated with my hair because it had changed, yet I wasn’t willing to. But once I decided to stop fighting it and go with the flow, everything fell into place. The same is true for our businesses. By being open to change and willing to adapt, you can find more efficient and effective ways to achieve your desired results.

If you’re constantly beating your head against the wall, trying to do things the way you’ve always done them, but not getting the same results, take a step back and consider a new approach. I can almost guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results!

If you’re feeling stuck and need a fresh perspective to get your business back on track, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you navigate through the changes and find new strategies that align with your goals. We can work together to transform your challenges into opportunities for growth and success. Click Here to Schedule your Free Discovery Call

Deb Mitzel is a Small Business Operations Consultant & Coach, as well as a 17hats Implementation Specialist. Deb is passionate about helping her clients get time back so they have the bandwidth to bring their personal and professional dreams to life. She believes that an Integrated Life – one where your life and business are designed to serve you best – is not only possible, but achievable. If you need help with your business and would like to chat with Deb, she offers a Free Discovery Call to learn more. Click below to schedule your call!