Here Is What Many of You Wish You Had Spent More Time Doing Five Years Ago …

question:

What do you wish you had spent more time doing five years ago?

• Traveling! Now, as a general manager, I can’t take large amounts of time off. — Jade K., St. Petersburg, FL
• Enjoying my spare time. — Ken W., Livingston, NJ
• Taking advantage of the mentorship I was under. Enjoying my newborn. Being more open minded about finding time to have a hobby! — Colby S., Dothan, AL
• No regrets, I spend more time looking forward than looking back. — Scott M., Christiansburg and Salem, VA
• Taking care of myself…when the self is great all is well in your life. — Julie U., Jupiter, FL
• Going out and socializing; really maxing out my extroverted muscles so that I would be ready to hide from people when 2020 hit! — Jen H., Sandpoint, ID
• Saving money. — Robert R., Sterling Heights, MI
• Spend more time on self-care. — Jennifer Y., Canandaigua, NY
• Working on retiring early. — BJ C., McQueeney, TX
• Exercising personally. Professionally finding ways to get out of managed vision plans. — Lisa S., Vancouver, WA
• Ever since I did my DNA test back then I wish I could have spent more time with my new family. Need more vacation time. I was only able to travel a short time to meet my real family but I try and stay in touch with them all and when I retire, I’ll have more time even though we’re all getting old. — Jeff G., Spring Valley, CA
• Take some personal time off. — Daniel H., Ontario, CA
• Traveling, but it wasn’t really an option. — Jordan F., Baltimore, MD
• After the Category 5 Hurricane Michael … spending more time telling those I loved how much I did. Lost my spouse six months later. It has been devastating but my job keeps me active and I tell all my family and friends how much they mean to me. — Chris C., Panama City, FL
• Making frames and advertising. — Kevin C., Glenview, IL
• I wish I would’ve spent more time with family members because that’s what’s most important in life! Whether that’s blood family members or chosen family members. — Morgan D., Carmi, IL
• There are some back of house things I wish I had spent more time on, especially before I hired employees. — Chris W., Portland, ME
• Working on earning my Masters in Ophthalmic Optics designation. — Pablo M., Atlanta, GA
• Five years ago I was deep in making huge changes that have allowed me to flourish where I am today. I’m glad I did that work. — Kyla S., Atascadero, CA
• Taking better care of myself! — Jennifer L., Dansville, NY
• Camping … getting back to the basics and enjoying the great outdoors. — Brent M., Lancaster, PA
• Relaxing. I never take enough time for myself. — Amy F., East Brunswick, NJ
• Investing in a marketing team for my business. — Keontae M., Royal Oak, MD
• Learning to market and advertise using social media more effectively. — Lorie F., Bakersfield, CA
• Planning the ultimate heist, I could be so rich right now. — Kelsey B., Winston Salem, NC
• Taking time off. — Scott K., Dover, OH
• Taking vacation days. — Zachary D., Saint Peter, MN
• Dealing with extended family issues. — Robert L., Jefferson City, MO
• Building a more detailed five-year plan. — Michael L., Reno, NV
• Working on my personal growth. — Ben T., Miami, FL
• More focus on what the next chapter is bringing. We all need to spend more time on “me” and what fills us. — Karen M., Wyoming, MN
• Five years ago I would have benefited from increasing my back-office knowledge to better myself for future business ownership. This stuff is stressful! — William C., Forsyth, GA
• Becoming proficient in social media. — Sonja F., Austin, TX
• Planning for a pandemic! — Deborah T., Austin, TX
• Understanding how to use computers more efficiently. — Amy D., Fergus Falls, MN
• Learning the full capabilities of the EMR, front desk, billing, etc. and writing down passwords to my entire office. — Marc U., Pine Beach, NJ
• Marketing, not using a marketing company but actively recruiting new patients in an effective way. I wish I had dropped insurances sooner. My hesitation in marketing before was not wanting to spend a lot of money to bring in an exam-only insurance patients that don’t share the same values as my practice. Then the amount spent in marketing wouldn’t be covered. — Susan E., Austin, TX
• Social media advertising. — Cindy H., Chattanooga, TN
• Really being present with my son, not just physically, but mentally. — Joanne L., Easton, PA
• Taking more time to focus on running. — Steven N., State College, PA
• Expanding inventory. — Harvey B., Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Having clearer goals and a better understanding of how business works. — Adam R., Palm Beach Gardens, FL