ASCP Skin Deep

MARCH | APRIL 2019

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ascp now offers advanced modality insurance! ascpskincare.com/ami 39 expertadvice MIND YOUR BUSINESS "Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we're doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what's going on around us." —www.mindful.org From pop-culture celebrities to ancient gurus, the term mindfulness—the concept of focusing your awareness on the present moment—seems to be on everyone's tongue, and for good reason. Studies show the direct benefits of mindfulness and meditation on memory improvement, stress reduction, a healthier lifestyle, better sleep, and a sense of well-being. So, how can you as a business owner incorporate this ancient Buddhist teaching and its techniques to help make your business more meaningful and successful? Let's focus on how you can integrate mindfulness into the three primary areas of your business: your daily activities, your clients, and your employees. BE MINDFUL WITH DAILY ACTIVITIES With the whirl of busyness that accompanies each day, it can be diffi cult to stay focused on the activities that are essential to the success of your practice. A good place to start is to make a list of all the items that must be completed daily for your spa to run optimally. From client calls and appointments to marketing and retailing, make a list and prioritize the items that are most important. The key is to focus on items that are at the top of the list—those that are the absolute most important to continue to grow your spa. To keep all those items at the bottom of the list from infi ltrating your thoughts, delegate them to a team member or hire an outside resource to complete them. It's all about being present and focused on the most important tasks each day. BE MINDFUL WITH CLIENTS Of course, we must be aware of the needs and demands of our customers. I have never heard of a business closing its doors because they continued to focus on their clients! Little things, like remembering family members' names or acknowledging birthdays, communicates your care. Staying mindful of our clients' needs in the treatment room without letting the daily activities of running a business fl oat around in our heads gives us the opportunity to stay centered on our greater purpose—serving others. BE MINDFUL WITH EMPLOYEES An important part of growing a successful business is team development and culture. We've all heard it before: employees do not leave bad jobs, they leave bad bosses. If we are aware and mindful of our team's training and education, along with a positive work environment that comes from clearly defi ned roles, responsibilities, and expectations, then we can focus on letting our team do what they do best. The best advice someone gave me years ago about managing was, "It's OK to give direction on what your team should do, but do not tell your team how to do it." Mindfulness has proven benefi ts, and these can be applied in our daily practices. It is not about ethereal ideas that are not grounded in empirical evidence, but about best practices that will help you manage your day better and reap the benefi ts of your investment in your time, clients, and team. In the Moment How to make your business more mindful by Drew Coleman

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