Episode 5

Excellent communication revolves around connection.

Take a moment and reflect on the best conversation you’ve ever had. 

Do you remember who you were talking with or where you were? In my 26+ years behind the chair, I’ve discovered what worked and did not work to communicate effectively with clients to protect my energy and set boundaries. I quickly discovered this also applied to conversations in my personal life and that same energy that needed protection and boundaries while communicating with friends and family. This realization brought me a newfound awareness of how to communicate in a way that would flow differently. 

In today’s blog post, I want to share a few practical tips to help you communicate effectively. Therefore protecting your boundaries, reclaiming personal power, and becoming present in your day with The Self-Care Behind The Chair Method. 

Our method consists of four pillars – Communication Skills, Boundaries, Mindset Shifts, and Self-Care Strategies that act as a toolkit to combat overwhelm, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Today, we’ll focus on Communication Skills as a key practice to prevent burnout, reclaim your personal power, and become present in your life and for those that matter most.

Download today’s worksheet to help identify the best conversation you’ve ever had. It will help you gain insight into your communication style.  

Have you ever considered the flow of your conversations? Do you listen to respond or listen to speak? We all have learned communication is vital for great relationships, but have we ever truly learned how to communicate in a way that protects our energy and sets boundaries for ourselves? In my experience, I was not taught specific skills in communication within our education system or any ongoing education offered by our industry. 

I was unaware I was among the group listening to speak and not truly listening.

I would be exhausted after a day of conversations with clients, a night out with friends, or family get-togethers. In the beauty industry, there is limited education on communicating in a way that preserves our energy. 

Instead, my observation ends up being an exchange of words, talking over each other or comparing stories where no one is listening. We wait to hear when the other person has a break in their sentence to begin sharing the thoughts we’ve been holding.  

Doesn’t this sound exhausting? Think about how your brain and emotions feel after an entire day of this exchange!

When I think of my answer to the question about the best conversation I’ve ever had, I can think of many deep, meaningful conversations with special people in my life. Believe it or not, the conversation that sticks out the most as I type this today was one I had on an airplane with a stranger while traveling around the country as an industry educator. After putting on a 3-day training in LA, I was flying home, exhausted. 

The woman next to me had many questions and a desire to chat. I didn’t have the energy to engage. She shared the entire 3-hour flight home about her life, struggles she had, her dreams, and stories about her family. 

I stayed quiet, acknowledging and nodding as she spoke, minimally sharing about my life as it related to what she was sharing. As we were departing the plane, she said something that had stuck with me. She thanked me for the amazing conversation and said it was the best she could remember!  

Ummmm….WHAT?? That made NO sense to me. I barely even spoke!

After that exchange, I thought about this many times. I realized it wasn’t the conversation that was amazing; it was the connection she felt as she spoke. I just listened to listen, not speak.

Next time you are conversing with a client, friend, co-worker, family member, or stranger, pay attention to how often you listen to speak. You’ll recognize it because you will have a thought and the urge to say it before they finish their sentence.  

Instead, pause and give a moment for the conversation to flow naturally. It is amazing, the level of connection that organically will happen and how meaningful your conversations will become.

The great thing about life is there is always space to grow and evolve. I thrive in the learning process. Though what I have to share brings so much value, I know that I am always a work in progress. I also learn new communication skills along the way! We would love for you to experience this for yourself alongside us. 

I challenge you to adopt this exercise and apply this communication practice to your days. Both behind the chair and within your personal life. If this is successful for you, please share with us! Send a DM on Instagram or EMAIL us a message so we can support and cheer you on! 

If you think this message could help someone you know in the service industry suffering from overwhelm or burnout, please invite them by sharing this blog post. Or send them to our website www.theevolutionsociety.com where they can join our community and will find many valuable resources.

Download the communication Worksheet HERE

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Until next time, value your worth, protect your energy, strengthen your personal power, and take care of YOU first. 

With Gratitude and Grace,

 ~Apryl