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It might surprise you to know that, of all the workers in the world, hairdressers are the happiest. Hairdressers are happier than lawyers, doctors, accountants -- and marketers. "How come?" you ask. "What do they know that I don't?"
I don't cut hair for a living, but I have been getting my locks sheared monthly for the past 40 years. And I've known enough hairdressers in my day to have ascertained their Seven Secrets to Career Contentment.
I'm sure they won't mind if I share them.
1. Be yourself. Hairdressers are individuals; they are not only allowed, but encouraged, to show off their individuality in the workplace. From blue hair to dreadlocks, bare midriffs to button-downs, you can find it all at most salons. And hairdressers can be themselves in their conversations with clients, too.
In your own work, it doesn't need to be blue hair. But you do need to be able to share your personality, thoughts and feelings openly with those around you. If you sacrifice this because you're in a corporate environment where you think it would be frowned upon, you may succeed in climbing that company's ladder -- but probably at the expense of your happiness.
2. Be creative. Hairdressing is a creative job. New styles are emerging all the time, and hairdressers have the opportunity to learn them and create their own variations for clients. They also get clients who plop down in the styling chair and announce: "I'm bored -- I want to try something completely different!"
Wouldn't it be great if you could plop down in your chair at your next staff meeting and say the same thing? All of us need some outlet for creativity in our work -- and companies that encourage and reward this creativity, rather than insisting on hierarchy and conformity, tend to have the happiest employees. Ultimately, however, your happiness is in your hands, not your employer's. You can almost always find ways to contribute new ideas if you try hard enough.
3. Set short-term goals. Hairdressers coiffure several clients a day; usually, the client departs with a smile and a thank you. Mission accomplished.
In a corporate setting, it's not that easy. We often work on long-term projects where we might not get the satisfaction of completion for weeks or months. But if you make a point to set daily or short-term goals for yourself and accomplish them along the way, you'll feel better about your work. If you're in an office environment where such incremental achievements are acknowledged by bosses and co-workers, that's even better.
4. Be social. Hairdressing is a social profession. Stylists spend all day chatting with their co-workers and clients. Studies show the opportunity to talk and listen to others reduces work stress, in addition to building a sense of belonging.
The lesson here: Don't spend all day in front of your PC with your office door shut. Don't be lazy and communicate with colleagues exclusively by e-mail, either; it may seem faster and less of a hassle, but ultimately you may begin to feel isolated. Get up and talk to people -- and listen to them, too.
5. Form relationships. A hairdresser's clients can be very loyal, trusting their hairstyle to one person for years. Stylists pride themselves on their ability to retain their clients -- even as they move from salon to salon over the course of their careers. These bonds can become highly personal and meaningful, as stylists and clients share the intimate details of their lives over time.
In the business world, too many people are afraid to form real, honest friendships -- either with their colleagues or their clients. "What if I have to fire him someday?" an exec might argue. "What if I tell her something that she uses against me when we are vying for the same promotion?" a young worker might say. "What if I want to seem tough and no-nonsense at work, because I think that will get me ahead?" an aspiring muckety-muck might explain.
Here's my answer: If you are a different person in your work relationships than you are in your non-work relationships, you can never be truly happy at work. It's your choice.
6. Take ownership. Even though they generally work for someone else, most hairdressers have a strong sense of ownership in their work. Their success or failure depends directly on how well they serve their clients.
In the corporate world, it can be hard to have that sense of ownership. The larger the organization, the more removed employees often feel from their company's accomplishments. The way smart companies combat this is to provide individuals or small departments with specific long-term goals, and to allow them significant leeway in determining how they achieve these goals. And if that isn't enough ownership for you, you can always start your own business.
7. Don't make it about money. If you're a hairdresser not named Jose Eber, you're probably not rich. In fact, you're probably not even close. But you're happy.
So, as a professional marketer or businessperson, what should we learn here from the hairdresser's example? That's it's time to give up our day jobs and go trekking in the Himalayas, 401(k)s be damned?
No. It's still better to have money than not. The lesson is that you should do as well as you can financially -- but only by doing something you enjoy. Once you start making career decisions based on where the dollars are, rather than where your heart is, you've pretty much guaranteed yourself a life of unhappiness at work.
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Comments
"Once you start making career decisions based on where the dollars are, rather than where your heart is, you've pretty much guaranteed yourself a life of unhappiness at work."
What's that saying, I think it's 'Good job, Good money, good life....pick two'.
Posted by: Mack Collier | 04.18.07
I wish we all could be hairdressers.
Posted by: Tammy Strnatka | 04.18.07
I think it's also saying that I'm going to ask my hairdresser for a tip next time, rather than vice versa.
Posted by: scott baradell | 04.18.07
They say that if a Hairdresser can get past the 8-10 year mark then they will probably keep donig it till they die and after 15 years in the industry I can see why. Each industry attracts certain types of people who have the required personality types needed to do that job.
Hairdressers (usually) are happy people, you have to be if you are dealing with people all day. Are we the happiest? I know I am more happy with my work than anyone else I know, yes, I love my work, how many can say that?
My advantage? I get instant satisfaction from my work and get to make people feel special. I have also formed strong bonds of friendship with many of my clients, but strangely with only a few of my many work collegues. Not so strange when you look at the politics of the work place. Office workers often tell me of the stress of their politics but let me tell you, these are nothing compared to what goes on behind the scenes in most salons! The trick for any work place is trust in yourself and your beliefs, but also be willing to take advice. We often cannot see our own short-commings so when a collegue or boss enlightens you about these, pay attention becuase usually they DO have your best interest in mind.
It is true that you are responsible for your own happiness, but so is the boss. They need to be there to manage you and your career whether you're a Hairdresser or sit in front of a computer. The support and encouragement of a boss will push anyone to greater achievements and make you feel valued, and therefore, satisfied. While we Hairdressers get compliments on our work from happy clients, we rarely get recognition from the boss (sound familiar people?) But I'm luckier than most because I have an abundance of Sagittarian optimism, I don't let lack of praise get me down. A strong belief in your own worth can make you happy no matter what your vocation (yes, easier said than done!)
Hairdressers also get to hear all about the lives of their clients, the good AND the bad. You can either let it get you down, or you can learn from it, I chose to learn. I have also found that so many of my clients were more than happy to help/advise/encourage me when I decided to go out on my own. I put this down to A) they want to give something back to me & B) they can see the passion I have for my craft.
Hairdressing gets into your blood, I can't even go a week on holidays without the need to at least blowdry someone's hair.
So love what you do and do what you love.
Oh, and marry well if you can!
Posted by: dean @ Office Hair | 04.18.07
Seems to me that if you work without Passion, you're doomed. If you can't use the things that you most believe in at your job, it's over. Especially true here in the US, where we spend more time at work than most other people. It's a recent revelation for me, but now that I've found it I'm really so much more engaged...
Posted by: Dean Wormer | 04.18.07
I grew up, sitting on phone books, with my head under a dryer at my grandparent's hair salon.
My grandfather, now 95, fit the bill of the happy hair dresser perfectly. He relished his job, and his many close friends, which was how he viewed his clients.
My grandmother developed "terminal" cancer thirty years ago, so she and my grandfather retired to spend their remaining months together.
At 91, Gramma is cancer-free and still going strong, and Grampa's only regret is that he didn't go right on working, only on a lighter schedule.
"You've got to understand, Mark," he tells me, "These were my friends."
Chatting, giving pleasure, being creative, putting your hands in someones hair -- an easy, chaste intimacy, feeling appreciated, and respected for a certain expertise, and getting paid for it. Five dollars for a haircut, I think it was, at the peak. Yet, one woman traveled from Canada once a month to have her hair done by "Marino." Another came down from Boston. A family legend has it that my grandfather was exempted from the draft in WW2 because he was deemed, "essential to the morale of women in the State of New Jersey."
We happily believe it.
Posted by: Mark DiMassimo | 04.18.07
Great observations, thanks!
Tammy: As someone who did a life changing career transition some years ago, we CAN all be hairdressers, and don't necessarily have to give up dollars to do so...
Posted by: Susan Martin | 04.19.07
Funny that this topic was brought up. Me and one of my colleagues were discussing this same thing after a frustrating afternoon of how we should just throw in the towel and go to beauty school. My mother was a hair stylist for 30 years and some of my most memorable and happiest times as a child were sitting in her salon pretending to be an adult and laughing with all of the people coming in. I still remember a lot of her clients and have run into quite a few of them over the years. I must agree that there is something to be said about a career where you can be creative, be your own boss, have great working and personal relationships and make great use of your time. I wish we could all do that.
Posted by: Jessica Woods | 04.19.07
Eight secret maight be: deal with beauty (can you imagine how it feels like making a woman feel beautiful?).
My father is hairdresser. I work in IT. I can't really compete...
Posted by: Davide Fugazza | 04.23.07
I linked and tried to throw you a trackback, but it didn't seem to work.
Great post!
Posted by: K T Cat | 04.23.07
After being in the hair industry for 33 years, I have come to realize that I am one of the most fortunate persons on earth. I have the income I dreamed of and it is from my hobby, HAIR! When I was young, I didn't stop to think if this industry would allow me to grow old. Well it does. There are endless opportunities and I want to live long enough to do them all. I truly believe my clients taught me everything from getting grass stains out of jeans to saying "no" to my grandchildren (go figure, there are alot of years between!!) When my daughters told me they wanted to follow in my footsteps, I was proud. I knew they would be happy and secure. Very few individuals have the luxury waking up and wanting to work. I am one of the fortunate ones. I love what I do.
Posted by: Shelley | 06.20.07
I can't wait to get to work tomorrow...
There is hair to be done!!!
Posted by: Mieke Smythe | 08.30.07
I have been a cosmetologist for 14 years and am 33 years old. Talk about passion!!!You have to love your job!I am no longer taking new clients (great business to be in), just raised my prices and still in great demand. I work hard and have longed for this to happen.I live in Green Bay,Wi. Yes,this is soo..possible. The best advice is to be professional(not boring) and gain the clients trust. The money will roll in. Money should not be your first focus. I started doing one haircut a day.(Boring and lots of towels),but now can't take new clients. What a reward!!! I go to a hair show and clients are putty in hands.Use tecniques that you learned at shows and you make money.
Posted by: Rhonda Spetta | 10.10.07
I love hairdressing i am a freshmen in a technical school and i fell in love with hairdressing i am looking forward into getting into that shop.
Posted by: nani | 01.28.08
Nice post Scott!
Having happy clients, as well as happy staff transformed a depressed dentist into a happy dentist (Paddi Lund, author 'Happiness centred Business'). He got rid of customers he didnt like and kept the happy ones!
Keep happy!
Very Happy Phil
:)
author 'How to boost your happiness'
Posted by: Very Happy Phil | 02.13.08
The woman who cuts my hair seems as happy as can be and is very social. She probably knows more about me from her in questions than most. Cheers to the hair dressers.
Posted by: Neil Anuskiewicz | 02.14.08
hello all. i am a very happy hairdresser!! been doing it for 10 yrs now. own my own business and can honestly say i love my job. its true what someone said about not being able 2 take a weks holiday without the need to do a blowdry or something.. it truely is in ur blood and the passion is always there. i have so much fun with all my staff and clients. there are some days when we just dont stop laughing. it is a great tonic. long live the success of the trade that is HAIR!!! woohoo!!!
Posted by: Jenny | 08.12.08