A Barbershop Owner’s Survival Story From Drowning in Problems to Swimming in Solutions.

BY DWIGHT HODGE

When faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, one thing sets those who thrive apart from those who struggle: their focus.

Whether it’s a difficult or dissatisfied client, team issues, or financial pressure, where you direct your attention plays a pivotal role in shaping the outcome.

Unfortunately, most people tend to focus on the problem.

Take Jake, for instance. He’s been struggling to keep his head above water. His chair is always busy, and while his other two barbers have a few gaps, the appointment book looks pretty full for the next month. The problem is, Jake lost a key team member a year ago and hasn’t been able to replace him since.

For Jake, the issue isn’t a lack of clients; it’s a lack of skilled barbers to take care of them. This has created a ripple effect, leading to cash flow problems.

Every day, he feels like he’s swimming against a never-ending current. He’s so focused on just getting through each day that he loses sight of the upcoming quarterly tax bill. When he clicks on an email from his accountant and sees that his tax is due in six weeks, he feels completely overwhelmed, adding to the stress he’s already carrying.

For days, all Jake can think about is, “How am I going to find $10,000?” His thoughts are stuck in a loop, spinning from “I’m already so busy I can’t fit any more clients in” to “How can I possibly find $10,000 in such a short period?” to “I’m going to lose the shop, my team will be left stranded, how will I pay my rent, and what about all my loyal clients?”

Jake was embarrassed to find himself in this situation. After years in the business, he thought he should know better. He was scared and anxious about what others might think, but he confided in a friend who also owned a business.

After listening to Jake’s struggles, his friend Liam asked a question that seemed to snap Jake out of the downward spiral he had been in since seeing his tax bill.

“What possible solutions have you thought about?”

Jake looked at Liam, a bit surprised. “Solutions?” he asked.

“Yes, what are your options to get this bill paid?”

Jake paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and then let out a small laugh. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“What?” asked Liam.

“A solution!” exclaimed Jake. “I’ve been so focused on not having the money and worrying about how I’m going to pay my tax bill that instead of working through my options, I’ve been spiralling into a panic about losing my shop, damaging my reputation, and everything falling apart.”

Liam, with a hint of curiosity, said, “Okay, that’s a great realization. So, what might one solution be?”

It was difficult at first, but Jake started coming up with a list of potential solutions. Not all of them would bring in $10,000; in fact, none of them would solve the problem entirely. But the more Jake focused on solutions, the better his ideas became.

After implementing a few of his ideas and contacting the Tax Office to explain his situation, Jake felt a wave of relief. His conversations with Liam and the tax office had given him a plan, and for the first time in a while, Jake felt like he could breathe again.

Jake’s journey highlights the importance of focus in our lives. It shows that where we choose to direct our attention can greatly affect our experiences.

WHERE FOCUS GOES, ENERGY FLOWS.

Your focus is a powerful force. It’s where your energy flows, and what you focus on is what you’ll attract more of. Jake’s story is a perfect example of this.

Initially, Jake was focused on the problem—a $10,000 tax bill. By continuing to focus on this, he only saw more problems, and he started catastrophizing about everything that could go wrong.

After confiding in Liam, Jake experienced a crucial shift in perspective. He went from dwelling on the problem to exploring possible solutions.

Nothing else changed. Jake still owed $10,000 to the tax office. He was still short of skilled barbers. But by shifting his focus from the problem to the solution, he stopped spiralling into greater despair and started seeing a way forward. For a long time, Jake felt like he was swimming against the current, and now, after focusing on solutions, it felt like he was swimming with the current. Where he once saw challenges and obstacles, Jake now saw opportunities.

Be mindful of what you’re focusing on, and if necessary, shift your perspective.

Dwight Hodge is an experienced leadership coach and mentor. With over two decades of experience as a business owner, company director, and coach, he founded The Creative Leader, a leadership coaching practice that helps salon and barber shop owners elevate their leadership capabilities and take their businesses to the next level.

Dwight is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), holds qualifications in Business and Personal Coaching, is a Master Coach of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture) from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).

Contact: dwight@dwighthodge.com