Coronavirus: How to remain positive in times of adversity

Ruth Atkins, Salon System educator, shares an insight into remaining positive in times of adversity along with practical advice for techs… 

We are facing unprecedented times and it is very difficult to keep positive when businesses face closure, family and close friends are struggling with their health, worries about financial ruin occupy your mind and for the first time in your life, you are forced to stop everything you are familiar with.

Ruth Atkins

There are a few things that you ought to remember at this difficult time, which should ease the burden. You are not alone, we are all in the same boat, your situation is not unique and there is safety in numbers. This is not going to be forever and this, too, shall pass.

This is a golden opportunity because above all else, you have time. Use that time to sit back and observe, evaluate your business and put plans in place to cope with the aftermath – because there will be a deluge of clients itching to get back into their previous grooming regimes and all will need appointments. Consider the things you wanted to change about your business before but never had the time. It’s always good to have a plan – and a goal – to focus on.

“You are not alone, we are in the same boat, your situation is not unique and there is safety in numbers,” – Ruth Atkins, Salon System educator. 

With the power of the internet and all businesses crying out for cash flow, it’s never been a better time to invest in online training courses. There are a lot of online courses out there with some great discounts. All can be done remotely for now, with practical aspects undertaken when the restrictions on movement are lifted. It will keep your brain active, challenged and interested, which is important right now. Set out a specific time in the day to study and be sure to book it out in your diary to cement its importance.

You probably have a range of social media platforms that still need content so it’s a good time to create some quick posts, little visual gifs and uplifting images for your audience. Just with your phone, for example, you can create inspiring quick step-by-steps performed on yourself to keep interest. Trail through your old ‘before and after’ pictures of treatments and post these (with the client’s permission, of course) and and repost clients’ encouraging feedback. It’s okay to duplicate, too – don’t worry if you’ve posted a fabulous picture in the past if it’s good enough to show more than once. Create a social media schedule for over the next few weeks so your posts are regular and you don’t upload everything all at once. Offer advice, hints and tips to your audience with ‘at-home how to’s’.

“Set out a specific time in the day to study and be sure to book it out in your diary to cement its importance,” – Ruth Atkins, Salon System educator. 

Most importantly, look after your mental health: stick to a routine but take a break, go outside, sit in the garden, listen to the birds singing and block out the noises in your head. Thoughts will pop in, but it is important to acknowledge them before putting them to one side. Listen to podcasts on mindfulness and meditation and try to put a few things into practice. Try to embrace this time rather than dread it. Turn off all media for an hour a day: no phone, no TV and no news updates. Spend time with your family; you are lucky to have this precious time and this crisis will not last forever.

You are a creative person and you will get through this. You are going to be a stronger and more grounded individual because of this time that we find ourselves in.