Barberhacks in an entertainment network focused on barbering..
I love my job, but I work with a variety of people that are always complaining. There is always something that isn’t quite right, something that sits in the back of their mind that says, “Everything can’t be perfect”, and it is. Do you have these feelings? I’m here to introduce you to some of the techniques and things that I do to maintain passion for my job everyday.
There was a time when I was younger when I didn’t quite know what to do, I didn’t quite understand the world around me the way I do right now. I started hairdressing without any thought of how I could approach it, it was something I could do that would make me money, something that I could trade up for any profession. That’s not to say that I didn’t apply myself, I just didn’t have focus, something to work towards, a goal to attain, I was a young man who just worked for the sake or working, and spending my evenings entertaining myself in whatever ways I could. I made a lot of people a lot of money with the sweat off my back, but I didn’t care, I had been taught that if I worked hard I would be rewarded for it. That if I could attain a certain level of technique that I would attract others towards myself. I was distracted with life and was fine with just pushing myself to achieve perfection in my craft, although throughout way I had ‘mentors’ telling me which way that I could achieve something nebulous. I remember them telling me never to use clippers among other advice that would put me in a box, and I listened to them, naive and pliable.
It took me a long time to realize that I could shape my own way in this business. In fact, I think I came on this a couple of years ago, when I finally found myself with goals, and with some self-direction. I’m the definition of a slow learner. So, to those that are coming into this industry, or to those that are looking to define themselves I have some advice.
Make Goals
Sit down and think about what you want from this career. What is your end goal? What do you really want to achieve? Do you want your own shop? Do you want to be an educator? Do you want to be the busiest barber in your shop? Do you want a Mercedes to drive around in? Sit down and write five different things that you want to achieve. Do it right now, I can wait while you do.
Actualize Those Goals
Now that you have some goals you have to break down how you are going to about making them come true. You want to be the best barber in your shop? How are you going to make every single fade that you put out look like the best Instagram photos that you have ever seen? Do your fades look like that? Write down five ways that you can make your five goals come to fruition. Pick the one goal that you are most excited about and pick one of the five ways that you can make that goal happen and start to do it. Maybe it is as simple as asking one of your co-workers how they make their edge ups so damn crispy. Maybe it is time to get yourself involved in barber battles. I’m going to get very Nike on you, and say, “Just do it.” Start with one goal, and one way, and next week start with another goal and another way. As you start to achieve your goals, sit down and make more of them. Repeat.
Scared?
Very few of us aren’t afraid. You are going to fail at some of these goals, and that is going to suck. Do you remember your first haircut? Do you remember how bad it was? I do. I was frightened of failure. I’ve failed so many times now that it is normal to me. I’ve learned how to pick myself up and dust myself off and keep going. Is it easy? No, it’s not. I’ve gone to some dark places during those times, but I’ve always managed to find myself back onto the rails and looking forward to what comes next. If you’re not starving and you have somewhere dry to sleep you can keep moving forward.
Are Your Goals Achievable?
Some of your goals might not be ‘right now’ goals, that is why you’ve broken them down into smaller parts. If you want to be the next Schorem, or Elegance, or even their ambassadors, you will have a lot of competition along the way, so be real, and find something along the way that you can achieve and do it. It may just be the perfect taper. My goal this week is to have a day where I don’t cut the same haircut twice in one day.
Where is this going?
Only you can dictate this. If you are 18 and you want a shop by 20 and you don’t have a license and you need one where you are to barber, get that license and then find the capital to build a shop.
How does happiness come into this?
There is nothing better than seeing your dreams come to life. There is no better feeling, to me, than making it happen. I wanted to do a photo shoot this year and highlight some of my work. So far, I’ve done five of them, and I get better with each one.
Where do you get the energy to do this?
This comes from inside you. Find a reason that you want to succeed. Maybe you want to be able to provide for your family, maybe you want a new pair of sneakers every month. If it fills you with creative energy and ambition, latch onto it and make it work for you.
In Conclusion
This may seem like common sense, but I wish that someone had been able to imprint this into me when I was younger. It took me a lot of adversity and hard work to be able to understand what I want from my life and my career as a barber, but now that I have defined what I want I am so much happier for it, and happier in my career.
I wish the same for you, so take care and don’t chase your dreams, make them happen.
Stay Sharp,
Crowbarber
I love my job, but I work with a variety of people that are always complaining. There is always something that isn’t quite right, something that sits in the back of their mind that says, “Everything can’t be perfect”, and it is. Do you have these feelings? I’m here to introduce you to some of the techniques and things that I do to maintain passion for my job everyday.
There was a time when I was younger when I didn’t quite know what to do, I didn’t quite understand the world around me the way I do right now. I started hairdressing without any thought of how I could approach it, it was something I could do that would make me money, something that I could trade up for any profession. That’s not to say that I didn’t apply myself, I just didn’t have focus, something to work towards, a goal to attain, I was a young man who just worked for the sake or working, and spending my evenings entertaining myself in whatever ways I could. I made a lot of people a lot of money with the sweat off my back, but I didn’t care, I had been taught that if I worked hard I would be rewarded for it. That if I could attain a certain level of technique that I would attract others towards myself. I was distracted with life and was fine with just pushing myself to achieve perfection in my craft, although throughout way I had ‘mentors’ telling me which way that I could achieve something nebulous. I remember them telling me never to use clippers among other advice that would put me in a box, and I listened to them, naive and pliable.
It took me a long time to realize that I could shape my own way in this business. In fact, I think I came on this a couple of years ago, when I finally found myself with goals, and with some self-direction. I’m the definition of a slow learner. So, to those that are coming into this industry, or to those that are looking to define themselves I have some advice.
Make Goals
Sit down and think about what you want from this career. What is your end goal? What do you really want to achieve? Do you want your own shop? Do you want to be an educator? Do you want to be the busiest barber in your shop? Do you want a Mercedes to drive around in? Sit down and write five different things that you want to achieve. Do it right now, I can wait while you do.
Actualize Those Goals
Now that you have some goals you have to break down how you are going to about making them come true. You want to be the best barber in your shop? How are you going to make every single fade that you put out look like the best Instagram photos that you have ever seen? Do your fades look like that? Write down five ways that you can make your five goals come to fruition. Pick the one goal that you are most excited about and pick one of the five ways that you can make that goal happen and start to do it. Maybe it is as simple as asking one of your co-workers how they make their edge ups so damn crispy. Maybe it is time to get yourself involved in barber battles. I’m going to get very Nike on you, and say, “Just do it.” Start with one goal, and one way, and next week start with another goal and another way. As you start to achieve your goals, sit down and make more of them. Repeat.
Scared?
Very few of us aren’t afraid. You are going to fail at some of these goals, and that is going to suck. Do you remember your first haircut? Do you remember how bad it was? I do. I was frightened of failure. I’ve failed so many times now that it is normal to me. I’ve learned how to pick myself up and dust myself off and keep going. Is it easy? No, it’s not. I’ve gone to some dark places during those times, but I’ve always managed to find myself back onto the rails and looking forward to what comes next. If you’re not starving and you have somewhere dry to sleep you can keep moving forward.
Are Your Goals Achievable?
Some of your goals might not be ‘right now’ goals, that is why you’ve broken them down into smaller parts. If you want to be the next Schorem, or Elegance, or even their ambassadors, you will have a lot of competition along the way, so be real, and find something along the way that you can achieve and do it. It may just be the perfect taper. My goal this week is to have a day where I don’t cut the same haircut twice in one day.
Where is this going?
Only you can dictate this. If you are 18 and you want a shop by 20 and you don’t have a license and you need one where you are to barber, get that license and then find the capital to build a shop.
How does happiness come into this?
There is nothing better than seeing your dreams come to life. There is no better feeling, to me, than making it happen. I wanted to do a photo shoot this year and highlight some of my work. So far, I’ve done five of them, and I get better with each one.
Where do you get the energy to do this?
This comes from inside you. Find a reason that you want to succeed. Maybe you want to be able to provide for your family, maybe you want a new pair of sneakers every month. If it fills you with creative energy and ambition, latch onto it and make it work for you.
In Conclusion
This may seem like common sense, but I wish that someone had been able to imprint this into me when I was younger. It took me a lot of adversity and hard work to be able to understand what I want from my life and my career as a barber, but now that I have defined what I want I am so much happier for it, and happier in my career.
I wish the same for you, so take care and don’t chase your dreams, make them happen.
Stay Sharp,
Crowbarber
Tools I Use and Love:
All links are affiliate links that help the creator of Barberhack earn commissions.