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TIPS OF THE WEEK 
by Vicki Peters
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TIP OF THE WEEK #12
By Vicki Peters

"BURNOUT"

Got burn out? 
Don't want to hear one more excuse as to why their nails popped off while 
they were sleeping or just flew across the room! Can't say no when you're 
fully booked? Service with a smile is getting more difficult every day? Well 
if you have any of these symptoms you may have burn out!

Burn out sneaks up on us quickly. We are service providers that don't take 
breaks because we hate to loose the money, and feel a strong responsibility 
to take care of every client We usually don't take breaks during the day and 
work five days a week 10 hours a day is the norm for us that are booked 
solid. The pressure of seeing one client right after another all day long, 
listening to them "dump" on us only contributes to "burn out". 

This can be avoided. It is not easy and you have to do the "C" word, 
change!!!!!!! Here are a few things to consider:
1. Take a lunch break. Woofing down a cold Big Mac in between clients is not 
taking lunch. Mark your lunchtime on your appointment book in pen not pencil 
so it cannot be erased. 
2. Do not take a repair during your lunch and leave the building so no one 
can find you. 
3. Get outside and get some fresh air too. 
4. Take your 12:00 client and push her back 30 minutes do all your afternoon 
appointments are now 30 minutes later. If a client wigs over a 30-minute 
change to her appointment she will get over it. Remember the "C" word. 
5. Do this for an evening break as well if you're pulling a long day. 
6. Another suggestion is sell your lunch or dinner appointments as "Prime 
time". A 90-minute appointment includes lunch or dinner and the client has 
to bring it with her. Do not charge her extra for this time and you end up 
having dinner or lunch with a different client every day. Scheduling is the 
same as taking a 30-minute break. Most of the time your dinner ends up being 
your tip and the client will call to see what your in the mood for on her way 
to you. 
7. We have to listen to client's chatter all day and that can be tiring as 
well. Give them a head set to listen to music 
when you want to keep the conversation limited.
8. When I had a stressed client the first thing I did was tell them to take 
the shoes and socks off and I put them in a pedicure bath while they were 
getting their nails done. Give them a towel to dry their feet off and have 
them out their shoes and socks back on while you dump the pedicure bath. 
Takes a second and you mellow them right out.
9. A heating pad under your table towel will also mellow out a client too.
10. Take vacations. Your clients will live and do not let them make you feel 
guilty about their nails. And there are other techs out there that can 
handle your clients for you or hire someone who is part time somewhere or 
retired like me!
11. Go to trade shows and classes when your "burned out". You will be 
surprised how motivated you will be when you attend a show and do some 
networking with others just like you.
12. Learn how to say "no". There has to be a limit.
13. BUY SOME SOAP!
I tell this story in a lot of my classes. Go buy some really expensive soap 
and a small candle. Stash them in the bathroom. Finish the day, clean up 
your station and get your purse and keys, then lock yourself in and shut all 
the lights off. Get the soap and light the candle in the bathroom. Lather up 
to your elbows and really scrub your hands. What you are doing is scrubbing 
off the day's clients and washing them down the drain so you don't take them 
home with you. It is amazing how fresh you will feel after doing this!!!!!


DISCLAIMER
Any products mentioned in the "Tip Of The Week by Vicki Peters" is not an 
endorsement of any kind.

Vicki Peters 
"When you stop learning your career ends and your job begins"
Visit my new web site: http://vickipeters.com 

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