Winter is a magical and busy season of the year. As the nights get longer and colder, the urge to stay in bed and cozy up by the fireplace sounds incredibly appealing. But, as nail techs, we must stay productive to keep the business open.

Consider all the clients who want to have cute nail designs for the holidays. Your regulars need you now more than ever; take it as a sign to stay motivated! You have a business to run, and this season is the best time to keep the ball rolling. End the year productive and happy with these tips!

 

 

1. Prep

 

We all know how hectic the holidays can be, not just for business owners but for everyone. As entrepreneurs, it's important to prepare yourself and your team to ensure your business is up and running despite the chaos and busy schedules. You can read our blog about nail prep. Knowing your goals and plans can help you stay motivated to go to work and achieve them.

 

 

2. Take breaks

 

If you want to stay productive, consider taking breaks in between nail sessions. You can have walking breaks, read a self-help book, or have a chat with your client. According to a study, taking breaks during work can help you focus and increase productivity. If you’re stuck or overwhelmed with your tasks, you can get a breather and go back to your work, whether you’re working on DIY press-ons or catering to a nail client. You can consider doing the Pomodoro technique in your workflow.

 

 

3. Sticking to a schedule 

 

During the winter, it can be hard to stick to a schedule when the chilly weather wants you to stay in bed. You can try beating the cold weather but setting an alarm, running yourself a warm or hot bath before going to work. It can be mundane and somehow routine-like to have a schedule, but it will help you stay consistent in showing up for work, which can also help you stay productive.

You need to strengthen your work ethic if you’re a beginner nail tech, and for experienced nail professionals, you know that every minute counts for your clients, and you don’t want to let them down.

 

 

4. Get some sunlight

 

You want to soak up some sun before going to work to get some vitamins in your body, which can energize you. How about taking a walk when going to your nail salon? Or just meditating under the sun before work can help you stay focused for the day. A scientific study confirms that the sun and nature can have a positive impact on your productivity at work.

 

 

5. Have a healthy lifestyle 

 

There will be many festivities during this season, from Thanksgiving to New Year's, and food and drinks are sure to be abundant. You might want to keep your food and lifestyle in check during this time, especially if you have bookings lined up for the whole busy season.  It's all fun and games until you show up with a hangover at work, affecting your workflow and possibly disappointing your clients. 

There’s no harm in indulging yourself, just make sure that you can still carry yourself well, know your limits, and put your best foot forward at work. Remember, health is wealth, and you have to think about the long-term effects of your lifestyle.

 

 

6. Avoid overworking yourself 

The last thing you want to do is suffer from burnout since it can affect your productivity. Learn to practice work-life balance and streamline work processes that can boost your creativity and productivity at work. Learn how to balance your time and energy and know when to stop taking in clients when you’re fully booked.

 

 

7. Practice mental health care

 

Mental health care is essential during the winter since some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Consider reaching out to your counselor or a mental health professional to manage the symptoms. It is also best to surround yourself with the people you love and care about. Here's our blog about practicing mental health care as a nail tech.

 

 

8. Socialize 

Truly, socializing can boost your productivity; conversing with your clients during the nail appointment will make it feel entirely enjoyable. You can talk with your staff during slow periods at the salon. Conversing with others will be motivating and inspiring, giving you the energy to work even harder. 

 

 

9. Have fun at work

 

Who said you can’t have fun at work? You definitely can! The best thing about being a nail tech is that you can spice things up at work, from your nail designs to creating content for marketing purposes.

Time flies when you’re having fun, and you can easily do your tasks at work if you’re enjoying every minute. Don’t forget to shake things up when work's starting to get slow and cold, just like the season. You can always be creative in finding ways to have fun at work.

 

 

10. Treat yourself 

 

Finally, reward yourself after a long, tough day at work. You can indulge occasionally as a way of practicing self-care. Loving yourself and recognizing your efforts will enhance your productivity at work.

 

The winter season is your hope in achieving your goals before the year ends. Surround yourself with people who will help you stay on top of your game as an entrepreneur. We have an iGel Beauty Facebook community where you can be a part of a supportive network of talented nail professionals. Let's connect!