Christmas rush tips for nail techs: why pause matters

Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares why pause is a powerful tool during the festive season…

It’s that time of year: I start to panic, like my life will come to a close in December and I have to get everything done! My inboxes are full, I have work to do, but the countdown to Christmas has begun and I feel like I won’t be ready.

So, before you dive into a busy period on autopilot, I want to offer a reminder to slow down.

As an industry, we’re wired to go, go, go. We pride ourselves on being reliable, hardworking and constantly creating. But when every day becomes a blur of clients, content and chaos, it’s easy to lose the spark that made us love this job in the first place.

So many of my mentees have lost their sparks recently, because they are so overworked in their businesses that every day becomes just another day. This is where the power of pause comes in: stop, breathe, even book a pilates class. (This always sorts me out!)

Pausing isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about taking a breath to look at the bigger picture: your prices, your goals, your systems and most importantly, your energy.

When was the last time you stepped back to reflect on what’s working and what’s draining you? Maybe it’s time to review your booking system, tidy your workspace, update your marketing photos or plan next year’s direction.

I know the pressure to say yes at this time of year is tough. You want to make clients happy, boost your income and finish the year strong. But being fully booked isn’t a badge of honour if you’re running on fumes. It will only make you miserable! 

Building small pauses into your day – whether that’s five minutes between appointments to get your steps in, or a quiet coffee with no distractions before you open, can boost your mood. Those moments of peace help you reset and cope.

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And when you do take time off after the Christmas rush, really take it off. Reflect on the year, celebrate your wins and visualise where you want to go. Remember, you can’t grow plans, hopes and dreams in the midst of the craziness. Most often, these happen when you allow yourself to stop.

So, as you head into the busiest season of the year, don’t forget to look after YOU! A successful business starts with the best version of you. If you would like to work with someone who will help you with the areas mentioned in this piece, I have coaching spaces remaining for early next year.

I’m also offering Scratch readers 10% off my mentoring services when they book using code SCRATCH10 at www.studiobyhannahbeth.com.

See you in December and stay calm! 

Hannah x