The Year’s Not Over Yet. There is Still Time to Fix It

IN FULL DISCLOSURE, I am not a Potterhead. I don’t know an apparate from a veritaserum. But I do love a personality assessment. (I’m a Cancer, INFJ, and Idealist, in case you wondered.) So when we asked, “What Hogwarts House would you belong to and why?” in Buzz Session (page 60), I thought I had a pretty solid idea what my Pottermore results would be… definitely Ravenclaw, maybe Gryffindor.

To my shock, I was sorted into Slytherin. The snakes! The house all the villains come from! But I’m a good guy! So, of course, I retook the test but the results didn’t change … even when I fudged a few of the answers (so Slytherin of me!)

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To be fair, I am a good guy but I can also be cunning, aristocratic and power hungry… though I prefer the synonyms clever, refined and ambitious.

Sometimes we don’t like to acknowledge our less desirable traits. Like that we can be lazy, unmotivated, or procrastinate until the stress of getting things done becomes overwhelming.

Maybe that’s where you find yourself now. The last quarter of the year snuck right up on you and you’re nowhere near meeting the goals you set out for yourself at the beginning of it. Don’t worry, you don’t need a magic spell to fix it. We asked a few industry experts and our own Brain Squad what to focus on for end-of-year peak performance and came up with a 90-day plan you can start executing now in our Big Story on page 34.

If you’re just feeling a little burned out and apathetic, visit our Special Feature (page 44) to help remember why you do this. It’s all about ECPs’ MVPs, those most valuable patrons that have become so special the relationship has transcended the office environment. Eyecare is an intimate business and sometimes “How can I help you?” can be the start of a beautiful relationship.

Most of us feel we’re working harder just to stay on top of things (One Quick Question, page 47). That can be frustrating. But as we head into fall and holiday planning, I hope these stories leave you feeling a little more prepared, and grateful for the privilege of working in such a crucial and dynamic industry.

Best wishes for your business,

Dee Carroll

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

dee@invisionmag.com

Five Smart Tips From This Issue

1. Party time! As we head into the holidays and the invitations start streaming in… say yes! (Manager’s To Do, page 20)
2. Do you provide vision therapy? Try practicing it at its highest level. (Best of the Best, page 48)
3. Forget Christmas cards. Birthday cards are where it’s at. (Tip Sheet, page 50)
4. Sometimes a new employee is just not gonna hack it. We tell you when it’s time to let them go. (Ask INVISION, page 52)
5. Trouble finding good help? Have you tried a working interview? (Do You or Don’t You, page 61)

Deirdre Carroll

Having built a career in service journalism, Dee has been covering the eyecare industry for over a decade. As editor-in-chief of INVISION Magazine, she is passionate about telling independent ECPs stories and can be reached directly at dee@invisionmag.com.