Motivation

[groomer friend 1]

I haven't felt like grooming in months. How can I get excited about grooming again other than going to shows? I have a hectic work schedule that doesn't always make it possible to attend shows.
K

[gluergirl]

Maybe your schedule is a bit to hectic...and it is time to go a bit slower and enjoy the grooming again rather than just getting through them.
I only book so many dogs per day, and I like it that way, I get to spend some time talking to and petting each dog I do, and I bond with them. I always look at my appointment book and think about the dogs names that are written there and think about them, and I look forward ot seeing them again.
For me, my motivation is thinking about the job I had before, and comparing it to the job I have now! I choose now and never want to go back to a factory, or plant ever again.
I would much rather spend my days with dogs than with people!

I hope you can get inspired again, since this is all new to me, I am inspired by this forum, DVD's the pictures of grooms on here, and trying to make myself a better groomer. Maybe you need to take a look at your day through the eyes of a newbie like me to see how great this career is!

Good luck, I hope you feel motivated and insired real soon
Lisa

[Cat Crazy]

Sorry to hear you're not currently enjoying grooming. I think the best solution would be a two week,all-inclusive vacation to a 5 star resort in the warm, sunny country of your choice.
Since that's probably not gonna happen, how about getting a DVD? or a new toy/product to use? Could you get together with any local groomers for a couple of hours and "talk shop"? Maybe, try making a bit of time in your hectic schedule for you - a massage, a relaxing walk with the dog(s) outside of your usual area, soak in a bubble bath - just something that is only for YOU.

OR....some Mike's thingies!!! LOL

Hope you feel better soon

[wynningway]

I love grooming but I get in a rut when I do the same clips day after day. (Not that I am complaining as I love these clients and they are my bread and butter). But I try to find a client that will let me do something special in a hair cut or color to let me be more creative. This usually works for me.

[Jenneversage64]

Watch videoes

Next best thing to a seminar. Try a new shampoo or cologne. I bought some cute bandanas and was excited to put them on the little guys. Look at B&A and maybe get a new style idea to try. I recently braided the ears of two Shih Tzus and gave them bandanas and I couldn't wait to update their styles. Mama loved the new look.

[abandk03]

I get real slow Jan and Feb a few dogs a week here and there. Those are the times I feel like not grooming as I get lazy. Once I get busy agaim I'm on a roll.

[tmenne]

Take a few days off. Thats what I did after two weeks of go go go. I took this Sat and Sun off. I just told people I was full or wasn't going to be working. I need sometime off. I know by next week I will be ready to roll again.

[gottalovegracie]

Go do a few shelter dogs...it will remind you why you got in this business in the first place...to make pets feel better.

[AMelena]

You know, I was in a REAL slump for almost all of January and February. I dreaded going to sleep because I didn't want to have to wake up in the morning to go to work. When I woke up I was always really tired and down. When I got to work all I could think of was how I could get my dogs done faster so I could go home, curl up on the couch and get lost in a book or TV. This was right after getting attacked by a cat and having my hand in a splint for two weeks but I'm not sure how much that had to do with it. The past two weeks I've started dieting. But not really looking at it as dieting...I've started changing the way I eat. No more soda at all..not even diet. I only drink water and unsweetened tea. No more fast food, period. Whenever I eat fast food I always feel bad about myself. I bought the 30 Day Shred work out dvd and I do it every day no matter now tired I am. I've lost ten pounds in two weeks. Now, I have quite a bit of weight to lose so obviously this kind of thing might not pertain or work for you but, I have to say, not only are my days easier, I'm -enjoying- work again. I look forward to it. Maybe you don't need to lose weight or get healthy, but maybe it's time to make SOME change in your life. Make a point to go for a walk every day, or stop eating fast food, or buy yourself flowers every day. Something that just changes the routine of your life -outside- of work. When life changes, for better or for worse, it becomes more interesting!

[peeps]

I usually buy myself something, like a big ticket grooming related item or even new grooming clothes. Hope that helps.

[Darkangel_737]

The solution to working too hard:

It's time to raise some prices! If you are feeling overworked at least you will feel better paid. If you make some folks mad and they go elsewhere, you are making the same money with less work! Woo hoo!

[HuggaPug]

buy a St Poo of your very own :0) no matter how much i get burnt out of grooming clients dogs, I really enjoy doing my own. Plus I can do whatever I want with them. I would love to retire now and just groom my own dogs- that would be sweet!

[pooh13]

It's time to raise some prices! If you are feeling overworked at least you will feel better paid. If you make some folks mad and they go elsewhere, you are making the same money with less work! Woo hoo!

YESSSS!

I refuse to kill myself to make a buck.I am very content grooming 5-6 in a day, less if the dogs are big jobs.All of my clients (dogs) love coming to my salon ,I don't rush the job I take time to play with all of them .Even if the dog is a pita for grooming I still show him love and kindness before during and after the grooming.They all receive treats(with owners approval of course).Many of my clients will stay for the entire grooming they get to see first hand the process it takes to make them beautiful. Find your happy medium,Not everyday is going to be perfect or even fun but you have to make it fun and rewarding, No one else is going to do it for you.Set a comfortable limit on the amount of dogs you will groom in a day you don't to be a power groomer to make a living.

[Helly]

Take a vacation. Go to a movie that doesn't involve dogs in any way. Read a good book that isn't about dogs. Learn something new, something you've always wanted to do but just haven't gotten around to it. Go out and grab some air. Ride a bike. Ride a horse. Plant some flowers. Visit the elderly or shut-ins. Take 'em some cookies while you're at it.

Change your diet and exercise routine. More veggies and fruit. Less red meat, if you eat red meat. Watch out for pasta, it can make you sleepy. Walk, run, swim, bicycle, ride a horse, join a gym and make yourself go work out.

See your doctor for a physical. Tell him/her how you're feeling. Blood work may show you need vitamin/mineral supplements or your thyroid is out of whack. It'll also show if your problem is diabetes. If everything checks out fine, ask if it's possible you could be depressed or suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

If you want to get really drastic you can always do what I've done in the past. Quit grooming for a while. Find a job where you don't have to think and don't have to be creative. And you don't have to worry about getting bitten. This can go along with the "learn to do something new" advice above.

For me, I learned to run a sonic welder robot. After about 2 weeks, I could run it like a pro without even thinking about what I was doing. So I could sit and gab with my co-workers, run my robot, and make a lot of money. It was fun, mindless work.