ne definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Do you have parts of your professional career where you do that? We are always quick to see those issues in others, but can we take a step back and recognize when we are doing the same thing over and over?

Let’s take a look at several situations where I see many groomers, and often many businesspeople, doing just that without even knowing they are doing it. First, are you making as much money as you want or need to live? What are you doing about it? We often complain about it, but we do nothing that would change our circumstances. So why don’t we make those changes?

Usually, it is because we don’t see any other way other than what we are currently doing to get out of the rut. Maybe it is time to look at our options. Should we charge more? Should we offer different services? Should we be open longer hours? Do we need to fire someone because they are hurting our business? Should we move the business to a better demographic? Maybe we just need a vacation or to attend a tradeshow so our own attitude or enthusiasm will change.

When we are in the middle of a problem, we often need to get outside help or a consultant/business coach to, if nothing more, get some new ideas. In an ideal world, we should be giving our business a facelift every five years to avoid the rut. Otherwise, some clients will get bored with us and move along.

When was the last time you remodeled your salon? Have you changed the paint? Added something new to the reception area? We also get bored with our own environment if we don’t refresh it occasionally. Often, brightening up your daily routine doesn’t require a lot of money. Sometimes even just doing a deep clean will change your attitude about coming to work.

Do you have an employee that is causing you a lot of heartache or anxiety? Have you addressed the problem or are you just ignoring it and hoping it will disappear? Did you go through retraining? Or is it time to let them go? Or maybe it is a client causing you stress because you can never make them happy? What a strategic firing (client or staff) can do for your overall mental health is amazing. We always feel that neither one can be replaced but, amazingly enough, they almost always are.

Some clients and staff have “expiration dates.” They started off as one of your best, but now they have become complacent, and you feel loyal to them because, in the beginning, they were good. The reality is, they may be feeling the same way, and the best thing for both of you is to start a new chapter in your lives. I have had several occasions in my career where employees returned and thanked me for letting them go. After they left, they realized they weren’t happy either. No one was at fault. It was just that things had changed.

Maybe the rut you have found yourself in has nothing to do with money, staff or clients. Perhaps you are just tired of doing doodles or dealing with “red-zone” dogs. Maybe your back can’t take another Great Pyrenees bath. No one says you have to do any of those things, or you could raise your prices on those dogs! One of two things will happen: Those clients will seek another groomer, or you will find that it is not near as much drudgery if you make more money.

It could also be time to invest in a hydraulic tub or a nicer grooming table. We have to remember that investing in good equipment can make a big difference in our wellbeing and ability to groom as we get older physically. Think of it this way: a $1,000-$4,000 investment could allow you to groom another five to 10 years. How much income would you lose if you had to quit 10 years before you were ready to retire? The earlier we wear out our bodies, the sooner we will get to the point where we no longer can do what we love.

One philosophy I have always lived by is, if you work hard, you also need to play hard. If you keep working and never do anything to rejuvenate your mind and your body, your productivity slowly deteriorates, and you usually don’t even realize it. More importantly, the people around you see it and have to deal with your change in attitude, and now life becomes even more difficult. So, make sure you go to tradeshows, date your spouse, do physical activities regularly and take vacations. You will be amazed at how some of those little things will make a big difference in your productivity and, more importantly, your attitude in your daily life.

So if you find yourself in a rut doing the same things but hoping for different results, it is time to be bold and do something different. Changes are not always easy, but if you don’t make them, you may be going down that path to insanity.

Dr. Cliff Faver graduated with a BS in Biology/BA in Chemistry before getting a Veterinary degree in 1987. He is the past owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona and now the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products, teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program, and speaks internationally on hair and skin. His passion is to merge groomers and veterinarians to aid in helping and healing pets. He is also a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, Board member with Burbank Kennel Club, and has served on Novartis Lead Committee, Hill’s International Global Veterinary Board, and a Veterinary Management Group.