35 Time Management Hacks From Your Fellow ECPS

AS PART OF OUR annual Big Survey, we asked more than 270 eyecare business owners and managers for their standout time management tips. More specifically we asked them “Are you an ECP who runs a nicely profitable business, still has time for your family, as well as meeting friends and your own recreational pursuits? What’s your secret? What time-management tips can you share?” Here is the wisdom they had to impart:

• Work hard but you don’t have to open as many hours as you think, i.e. Saturday.
• I work 40 hours a week and have standing plans every week for the Jewish Sabbath (I only work until 3pm on Fridays) and I don’t work on weekends.
• I keep mornings free for necessary communications, cleaning, errands and self-care. I’m a night owl so like to do my thinking, and often technical aspects of orders, in the evening and at night, when I’m alone.
• Get everything done as it comes up — don’t procrastinate — and leave yourself extra time during the week to catch up if you need to. Space exams far enough apart that you’re always steady, but have time for dispenses and repairs in between.
• I love my store, I love having my own business and being my own boss; but I am not consumed with it every waking moment. I put in an eight hour day, six days a week, and at the end of the day, shut off the lights, close the gate and go home.
• Keep it small.
• As an owner it can be very difficult to separate owner responsibilities and “management” responsibilities. I force myself to follow a pretty strict schedule for my management duties, making sure I “clock out” at a set time each day. After that, I am only an owner and will only deal with owner-related issues should they arise. Management stuff will wait until the next morning.
• When I get home I leave business at the door and try not to take business calls or do business unless I wake up early to do it.
• Always be doing something, even while conversing with coworkers.
• Spend as much time as possible with family outside. Even if it means skipping out of the office a couple hours earlier than usual.
• Create a plan and stick to it.
• Pick your battles. Then let go some of those battles. Delegate the battles you picked to the leaders you developed. Stop telling yourself that you have to do everything and control everything. Develop amazing leaders, empower them and be happy and profitable. Share that profit with your leaders so they feel appreciated and help you grow your practice every year.
• I take the backroads home which helps me unwind before I walk in the door.
• If every entrepreneur followed the EOS Traction (by Gino Wickman) combined with Great Game of Business (by Jack Stack), to the “T” for their business, they would grow their business 20% or more yearly.
• When I am at work, I am 100% at work. I don’t think of home. When I am at home, I am 100% at home.
• Devote only so many hours to running your business and cap it at that, or else it is a 7-day a week occupation.
• In order to do all of those things, I have an inflated payroll. Paying someone (or two someones) less than my hourly rate and taking less money for myself is the only way for me to have extra time.
• Stop worrying so much and serve the people who get what you do for them.
• Work smarter, not harder. Drop insurance plans. See one patient instead of three and make the same amount of money. Educate your patients that having more than one pair of eyewear is important and essential.
• Leave business at the office. Learn to disconnect and respect your family’s time. They deserve you and want you to be present.
• I schedule time off and try not to do anything work-related during that time. When I’m at work I try to be very efficient. I always evaluate ways to build in efficiency: online scheduling for patients, organizing bill paying, delegating whatever can be delegated.
• Come in early to do paperwork before the staff comes in and schedule an extra day off each week whenever possible.
• I work four days a week and trust my employees when I’m gone.
• Make a list and work the list. Engage the family in the business
• Delegate tasks to key personal that you trust. Giving them more responsibility increases their moral and confidence and it can free up some of your time to enjoy life.
• Involve your family. Come in early every morning for admin work “on” your business, transition “into” your business and then go home and spend time with family.
• Instead of seeing patients forty hours per week, set aside free work time in the office to catch up on accounts receivables, recalls, ordering, phone calls.
• Try and leave the office at the office. What wasn’t finished today, will be finished tomorrow.
• Don’t get bogged down doing unnecessary testing in eye exams.
• I’ve learn to say “no” to things more often. My time is just as important as anyone’s, and if I’m not happy, I won’t do my best in ANY area. I take a daily walk and listen to music. If I don’t at least make time for that, I’m doomed.
• Making sure you have trained staff. When you have a good team, your work and family life is much easier.
• You are the face of your business, but you’re not your business.
• Hire people who are efficient and can perform tasks that you are not strong in. It allows teamwork and everyone to function at their best.
• No Saturdays. Ever.
• I schedule everything! Make time for friends, working out, other business ventures.

For the full story, and even more on how ECPs fared during a weird, weird year, visit www.invisionmag.com/the-big-survey-2020.