Being a hairstylist with a packed schedule, it’s natural to experience occasional moments of overwhelm. Balancing photoshoots, training sessions, client appointments, and maintaining a full booking calendar can make your to-do list feel never-ending. Improving your time management skills is a valuable asset for your career growth and overall well-being. Cos Sakkas, the British Hairdresser of the Year and Global Creative Director at TONI&GUY, shares his expert advice on how to effectively manage your time and prepare for the upcoming busy months.
1. Have a daily to-do list
Planning for every possible scenario is not feasible; each day will inevitably bring unexpected challenges – that’s the nature of the job. Instead, create a daily schedule and outline the tasks within your control for the day. Regardless of the nature of these tasks, listing them with allocated time slots can boost your motivation to complete them. There’s a gratifying sense of accomplishment when you check off each task from your list!
2. Set realistic goals
Amidst the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to lose sight of our goals – it’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year! In addition to your daily to-do list, it’s highly beneficial to maintain a goal planner. This allows you to record your aspirations and outline the necessary steps for their attainment. Goal setting is a pivotal aspect of advancing in the field of hairdressing, so remember to revisit and update your goals as the year unfolds.
3. Prioritise
Whenever feasible, make it a practice to prioritize your tasks. Whether you’re reviewing your daily to-do list or your long-term objectives, organize your tasks by significance and include specific deadlines or target dates.
You can categorize your tasks as follows:
Do immediately: These are critical tasks that require immediate attention and can’t be postponed.
Schedule for later: Tasks that lack specific deadlines but still need to be addressed. Assign them a suitable timeframe.
Delegate: If you’re in a managerial role, don’t hesitate to assign tasks to your team members when appropriate. Effective delegation is key to efficient time management.
Delete: If you come to the realization that a task is non-essential, it’s a wise decision to remove it from your list. This way, you can free up valuable time for tasks that genuinely matter.
4. Set reminders.
The reminders app on my phone is an indispensable tool for me. Utilize it to schedule timely alerts, ensuring you receive notifications well before your deadlines.
5 . Learn to say no.
Hairdressers naturally aim to satisfy their clients, but it’s essential not to let this inclination lead to excessive work and overwhelm. It’s perfectly acceptable to decline requests. Pushing yourself to the point of stress and subpar performance isn’t beneficial for your well-being or your business.
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