Barb,

Lately I've been reading about groomers burning out on the Facebook forums.

What can we do to prevent this from happening? How do we support each other? How do we stop it from happening to future groomers? How do we prevent the go hard or go home mentality and change it to the work smarter not harder mindset?

I have lots of questions but unfortunately no answers. I think we should work together to find a solution but how?

Sugar, burnout is no laughing matter, so to make sure I’m covering my perky derrière, I reached out to my (much younger) friend Angela Anderson—flaming red hair, sharp as a tack, and fresh from her ‘Banishing Burnout!’ seminar. Angela had some hot tips that’ll make your workload lighter than a poodle’s pom-pom.

But first, let’s talk Barb’s Basics.

First things first, give yourself permission to pause. We’re not machines, we’re maestros with a pair of shears. If you’re giving every groom the full works without a breather, that’s a first-class ticket to Burnout Boulevard.

And honey, let’s leave the ‘go hard or go home’ mentality in the past. The best thing we can do for each other is say, ‘Sit down, sip your tea, and save some of that sparkle for tomorrow.’ No one ever saved the world in a single clip, after all.

For our future groomers, let’s show them that working smarter, not harder, isn’t just a motto; it’s gospel. Remember, darling, you don’t need to outshine everyone—just shine steady enough to keep doing what you love.

Now, let’s dive into Angela’s Absolute Must-Dos for Banishing Burnout. Take it away, Angela!

Angela’s Tips to Prevent Burnout:

1. Charge Correctly for Your Craft Angela says it plain: if your pricing doesn’t cover business costs and personal treats (like that weekly massage), it’s time to re-evaluate. Block out that ‘me time’ and charge what you’re worth, honey—self-care is non-negotiable.

2. Set Solid Boundaries with Clients Angela’s advice? Practice the fine art of “No, thank you.” Establish firm hours and don’t hesitate to turn clients away if you’re full or simply need a break. Let other groomers pick up the slack—your scissors deserve a rest too.

3. Invest in Your Ingenuity: Work Smarter, Not Harder Angela suggests that honing your skills means saving time in the salon. Keep current with classes and adopt time-savers (washing family dogs together, anyone?) so you can breeze through your bookings with ease. A little learning now leads to lots of saved time later.

4. Cultivate a Cash Cushion Angela’s all about that rainy-day reserve. She says to set aside a portion of your earnings for unexpected expenses or slower months. A solid stash keeps stress at bay, letting you focus on the fur, not the finances.

5. Prioritise Peace of Mind with Play, Pampering, and Pauses Angela insists on making time for what makes you feel fabulous—whether that’s crafting, exercise, or a jaunt around the block with a podcast. Schedule in those breaks and self-care days like VIP clients. Your future self will thank you, sugar.

So there you have it, darlings—Angela’s wisdom and Barb’s best back-to-basics, all wrapped up in one handy list. Remember, we need to keep our sparkle as well as our scissors sharp. Let’s lift each other up, slow things down, and keep this industry as fabulous as we are.

Till next time, Barb-bye!

P.S. If I could bottle Angela into a drink, it’d be a fiery red cocktail with a kick of cinnamon and a bold splash of espresso—sassy, spicy, and just enough zing to keep you going. Cheers to that! You can learn more about my fabulous friend here.