How To Protect Your Peace

 

Photo by Honor Photography

A funny thing happened on the path to “success.” I realized that upholding boundaries only creates a problem for the people who benefit from you not having any. This can be in your personal life as well as professional relationships and structures. As a hair stylist, I found such a freedom in finally scheduling within my posted hours, and cutting out services that weren’t profitable or enjoyable. Treating myself as a legitimate business may seem like an odd place to begin a journey toward inner peace, but it created a space to practice setting boundaries and then feeling the success of following through on them.  

 

Once I had these business boundaries in place, I started noticing how certain people in my book started pushing back against them. For a long time, it was a struggle each time I saw their name on my schedule until I recognized that I must be giving them the belief that if they push hard enough, I’d give in. It was that moment that I knew it was my responsibility to give my clients an amazing experience and service that was within the framework I created—and let them know which options within that framework were available. This changed everything. Learning that no matter what situation I was in, I could figure out a way to be responsible for the success I wanted to create was incredibly empowering.

 

I’ve now started implementing this mindset when I do my Virtual Consultations for extension and color appointments at the salon. Understanding the value of what I have to offer, within the boundaries of the business framework I’ve built, has made it very easy to tell if a potential client will be a good fit for me. I’ve realized there are things about people that are just that—personality traits, anxieties, time and financial sensitivities—that I understand and can work with. I don’t have to be best friends with my clients to love taking care of them, and everyone is unique. But there are some serious non negotiables that tell me whether I am willing to take on certain cases. But that’s a post for a different day😂

 

I’ve been paying attention to these details in the people I work with, my peers, people I mentor, and the companies I do business with. The things that matter to me as a human matter just as much to my business. It is clear who aligns with my core values, my mission, and my vision. Once I understood my worth, it has been simple to disconnect from those entities that are discordant. It's not EASY, but realizing I have the power to protect my peace means that nothing can prevent me from living a healthier and more joyful existence. 

xoxo, linds

 

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