2 mins
HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED AND PASSIONATE IN YOUR CAREER?
DANIEL BRAUND, BARBER AT LOST BOYS CLUB, PONYTPRIDD IN WALES
“I’ve been on quite the journey to becoming a barber. I battled with my mental health for two years after losing both of my grandparents. To be honest I felt lost. But I got real direction when I fell in love with barbering after completing a course at college. I love meeting new people and I’m gaining confidence every day. But I know there’s still more to learn and a long way to go! How did you stay motivated and passionate all the way through your journey to reach the top of the industry?”
DAN GREGORY, BARBER AT HUNTER COLLECTIVE
“Sometimes in this industry it’s hard to have the same passion day in, day out. We would all be lying if we said we never felt unmotivated but I have some ways of compartmentalising to keep myself motivated each day.
I start off by remembering the reason why I love my job: my reasons are that I get a great sense of achievement when I see my client happy with the end result, the conversation you have with clients can take your mind off things that can be bothering you personally and most of all I love cutting hair!
The next thing I do is switch my mindset and try and enjoy every cut and client who is in the chair. More than wishing my day away or looking forward to finishing the haircut before it’s even started, I tell myself that I will enjoy my next client and the haircut. That way I light a fire in my mind that changes the way I approach the situation.
There have been situations in my career where I have felt a little lost, de-motivated and have even thought about quitting, but I always think back to the friends I’ve made through my industry. I will also go back and look at pictures that once inspired me to be the best barber I could be, for me this is the early 2000 American Crew style books.
I will also watch people who I used to aim to be like and that always seems to ignite that desire again. It allows me to change my mindset and makes me feel more positive. Then it’s like a domino effect and before you know it, you can’t understand how you felt so negative in the first place.
Trust me Daniel, it will happen throughout your career again and again but you will have your own way to compartmentalise your thoughts, you may just not have realised it until now.”