The Reasons
Owning or operating an optometry practice in this competitive environment requires innovative thinking. Business success is dependent on new ideas and strategies to maintain growth. While that leads many to think the answer is more time in the office focusing on what needs to change, I’ll propose an unconventional approach. Get out of the office. In fact, don’t think about this at all!

Guess where 72% of people come up with new ideas?¹ In the shower. This is far less than when they’re at work. Work tends to be a high-pressure environment, which significantly lowers our ability to come up with creative solutions. You may have experienced this on a treadmill, playing with your kids, or just daydreaming. Our creative state flourishes when we step out of that hyper-focused state of tension and let our mind wander. 

The Implementation
Here are a few suggestions:

• Take a walk outdoors. Try making time during lunch break.

• Start an exercise routine. Some of my best ideas come to me during a run or workout.

• If possible, work less. Condense your work schedule or hire an associate.

• Read books. Reading is relaxing and also mentally stimulating.

Reference

1. Barker, Eric. Barking Up the Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong (p. 226). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.