There are so many training courses I want to do. I want to do them just to feel that I'm expanding my knowledge and increasing my skills.

I have a wish list of things I want to learn and on the one hand I want to do it because I think "I work hard and this is how I want to treat myself" but then again I know that it's a lot of money to spend on lots of things all at once.

I'm not sure how much opportunity I would get to use my new skills in the sense that some treatments are inevitably always going to be more popular than others (I do a lot of massage).

I guess what I'm asking is, "is it really bad to spend lots of money on training even if it's a skill that you later find out you're not going to use very much/be very good at?"

I'll give you an example....I want to learn eye lash extensions but I don't think I'll be very good at it. Would it be really bad to try and learn it and to see just what happens because I might surprise myself?

I'm an information junkie and I would ultimately like to teach so I figure the more I can do, the more I can teach kind of thing but I don't want to overdo it if that makes sense?

Also, I think I need to establish the value/difference between a qualification vs product training. So for example, I have nvq2and3 in nails so I wonder how important is it to get product training? In the same respect, I have a vtct tanning qualification, would it be worth bulking that up with some product training such as fake bake?

If I have training in one brand for facials for example, would there be more value in that if I went on to train in another facial brand in addition to that or would I being paying money to go over old ground?

Is there such a thing as too much training?

Does a wider range of product training increase future employment opportunities or is it more of a name dropping thing rather than a necessity?

I should perhaps add that I qualified in nvq beauty and nails last summer and I'm at that new stage of my career where I want to be generally good at lots of things and then if I decide to specialise it will be later down the line.

I guessI just want to be the best I can be without overdoing it if that makes sense?

So many thoughts/questions!

What are your thoughts?

Edit: Also, I don't do electrolysis or body electricals (i did nvq3 massage route)...do I need to do these in order to teach?

I can't answer all of your questions for you, but I can make some comments.

Firstly, there are lots of threads on here about being a jack of all trades, but a master of none. I think it's important to focus on what you offer already, and are good at to become the best you can be in those those before looking at other things to offer.
There is nothing wrong with offering a wide service menu, but I don't think it's worth being able to offer everything possible before truly mastering what you already offer.

I would say also that basic and general training is good, but doing a conversion course with the suppliers of the products you wish to use isn't wasted time going over old ground, it's worth the time to make sure you are getting the best out of your chosen products and using them correctly, as all products have different unique selling points, and often work in different ways.

I would personally look at classes to learn more about the products I want to use, and get product specific training in treatments I already offer, before looking at other treatments. This is just my opinion though, so I hope it's some help to you x

In my opinion there is no such thing as too much training if you are interested in all those areas you want to train in. Especially not in this industry. If I had the funds, I would love to train in lots of things that are available out there. (CND conversion, facial product training, various types of massage...)

However, I would only train in areas that I am interested doing. There is no point training in everything just for the sake of it. You have to have some interest and passion for that, because only then you can be really good at it.

I am only at the beginning of my career just like you, but I know that I take special interest in facials and skincare so I know that if I get a chance I would love to attend various products training and advanced facial courses.

I think it's important finding out what you want to specialize in as these courses are quite expensive and there is no point doing them if you will never use that skill and just for the sake of having a certificate.
Hope this helps a bit.

Cheers guys, this offers a nice amount of food for thought.

I guess there are some things I am more passionate about than others. For example, if I were to learn electrolysis it would be for the purpose of learning it as a skill rather than because I have a passion for it (I'm actually a bit scared of needles!).

Then there are some qualifications worth taking because little to no further product training is required (for example, many things related to massage and holistics fall into this category).

I've got quite a few things on the cards regarding training (combination of product training and qualifications). Do you think I should space out the time between learning new things? I'm currently looking at doing things at a rate of maximum of one new thing a month. Do yas think that sounds about right?

Hi Hon,
Its great that you want to do lots of training and improve your knowledge base but I think its best to totally master one skill before moving on to another. Take eyelash training, you may do the course and love it...though bear in mind it takes a while to get really up to speed and become really good, also if you train to do eyelashes and then dont spend the time focusing on it to build up your application because you are jumping straight into another course then yes that money will be wasted. If I was you I would write a list of the courses you are interested in doing, then space them out according to how much time you think you need to become really good. For example an intimate waxing course is short, not to expensive and you would only need to do a couple to become really proficient, so this would be a good place to start, then maybe do EE but allow yourself 8 weeks to practise and again become really good. then using the icome that your new skills bring in you could may be do a more intensive course..lymphatic draining massage or aromatherapy perhaps. Dont miss out on discovering you are really passionate or good at a service by not giving yourself the chance or time to practice it and work with your new skills. Better to be the best at one or two things than offer everything but not do any of them particularly well because you are look over your clients shoulder to the next training course/product. Take a deep breath and remember that you will be learning new skills all through your life as a therapist, you will miss out on a great journey if you try and do everything in the first few kilometers!!!
xxxx