O.D. to O.D

WHAT DO YOU DO EVERY DAY?

EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US RUN WHAT IS CALLED BUSINESS U

Scot Morris
O.D. F.A.A.O
Chief Optometric Editor

WHAT WAS your answer to the title of this month’s column? Have you ever really thought about it?

I have been asking that question to my staff and to my peers, from the podium, for a few years now. I typically get these answers: “Help people see better,” “see patients,” “fit contact lenses,” “sell glasses,” “manage staff” and “run a business.” Were any of these your answers? All are correct. But, I want to ask you to think a little deeper, though. Give yourself five minutes before you read on to really think about that question.

BUSINESS U

My favorite answer is we “run a business.” That business may be in private practice, a commercial practice, med-surg or a referral center, or maybe you are an employee in one of those entities. Regardless of your method of practice, each and every one of us run what is called Business U. Whether you are an owner or an employee, a provider or staff member, you are always running Business U.

Running this business may take the form of enhancing the patient or consumer experience, improving clinical skills, refining the exam process, improving communication or sales skills or motivating other members of the business. So I ask, are you taking steps to improve your Business U, or are you just going through the motions of the normal day? What are you doing to better and enhance your knowledge and skills? Do you have a game plan to improve business U?

Building and improving Business U is a daily process and, like any other business, we have to have a plan to make sure that Business U continues to run smoothly.

IMPROVING BUSINESS U

Here are eight ways you can improve Business U:

1. Take care of yourself. First and foremost, you have to be able to perform. To accomplish this, eat the right “good” foods, get enough sleep, exercise, take a day off once a month to recharge the batteries and schedule some THINK time.

2. Do something to improve your mind every day. Make it a priority to set aside 15 to 30 minutes a day to read something that could help your Business U. Once you open the door to something new, your brain can’t help but think of a way to use what you learned.

3. Be positive. There is no substitute for a positive attitude. It can overcome almost all things. What is the point of wasting time being negative? It never leads to anything good.

4. Try something new every day. What is the worst thing that can happen? You might fail, which is really finding a way something doesn’t work. But every once in a while, you find something that truly changes your life.

5. Have a plan/get organized. Set aside 30 minutes a week to plan your week and what you want to achieve. Write it down. If you have a written plan, you are much more likely to achieve it than if you don’t.

6. Communicate. Work on and refine your communication skills daily. Listen first, think about what you want and what you want to say BEFORE you say it. Think about how you say it. Words matter! And so does the body language that you use when you say what you want to say.

7. Build relationships. Not a single one of us can achieve without the help of others. Seek those who are positive and can help improve Business U. Invest time in them.

8. Do your best, and forget the rest. Focus on how to be the best you can. This is the most important way to improve Business U. OM