Your journey to success is not as far as your think.Last week we reviewed the characteristics of successful people, figuring out together why certain people tend to stand above the crowd. Now that’s all mapped out, we continue our journey to success by learning from their triumphs. Like last week, I urge you to follow these guidelines within yourself every day to unleash your inner power. You and only you have the power to be as successful as you want to be.

Follow these guidelines with an open mind:

Professional Appearance — are we are in the image business! If you can’t make yourself look good, how are you going to make your customers  look good? You never get a second chance to form a positive first impression with a potential new customer. Successful people always dress for success: if you want to be respected and compensated like a professional, then you must look and act like a professional. We are in the business of making our clients not only look good but also feel good about themselves, so naturally, it’s important that we treat ourselves the same way. Be sure to take care of yourself if you want to succeed.

Hard Work — yes you will have to work hard at maximizing your full learning and earning potential. Are you willing to provide the extra effort and hard work required to get to the top? If you are willing to work hard, you will be taking a giant step on your journey up the ladder of success.

Self Management System — do you work hard to exceed client and owner expectations by doing a little more then what is expected? Do you have the self discipline to do what is necessary to succeed? You and only you have the power within yourself to do what is necessary to bring out your full potential.

Honesty and a Code of Ethics — is the only way to personal growth and happiness.  Getting ahead at the expense of others is just wrong. Always be sincere and honest with your boss, fellow workers, and yourself. I guarantee you will be a happier person. Treat others the way you would expect to be treated. Reputation is precious; character is priceless.

Positive Work Habits — if we are all creatures of habit, why not form positive work habits? If you’re always late for work, you’ll be late all your life. If you allow yourself to be drawn into salon gossip, you will be setting yourself up to always be drawn into gossip and negativity. Successful people work hard to establish positive attitudes and work habits. If you don’t like something, change it!

Customer Service — successful people know the power of customer service gives them a competitive edge. They excel at customer service by exceeding expectations of their customers. They work hard at earning the trust and loyalty of their customers by working hard to exceed expectations.

Make these characteristics as part of your every day lives if you want to stand above the crowd. In order to achieve success as a hairdresser and salon owner, you must learn more than how to cut and style hair. If you want to stand above the crowd, start today on a program of personal growth and development. If you take action every day, your possibilities will be endless.

This concludes the second part of our journey to success series. Join us next week for the end of the trail, where we’ll see all that it takes to succeed.