Welcome to The Ultimate O.D. podcast with host, optometrist and practice owner, Dr. Nick Lillie. Join us weekly as Dr. Lillie brings the real talk with hard won wisdom and levity on all things Optometry such as practice management, article recaps, business tips, and more all from his own personal experience!
Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. Podcast
The Growth Playbook: Wisdom from Coaching and Business | E258Highlights from this episode:The Growth Playbook: Wisdom from Coaching and Business (1:00)Closing Thought: (21:04)I am making the jump back into football, my friends! Coaching that is - and as I have been preparing for the upcoming practices, I am reminded of the amount of mentorship that takes place in sports. There are 5 key principles that I want to share with my team that also are incredibly applicable to our practices. I will say that continuous learning and drawing wisdom from diverse sources and applying those lessons to both personal and professional worlds will unlock doors in your life!
Applying the Disney Standard: Communication & Combustion Points | E257Highlights from this episode: Applying the Disney Standard: Communication & Combustion Points | E257 (01:05)Closing Thought: The power of positive feedback (19:28)One of my practice's main core values is "Care". This value has evolved over the last year as it became clear that we were very good at caring for our patients... but we were NOT caring for each other as team members. This led me to implement principles from the Disney Institute to help our staff support each other while still giving incredible patient care. This also required a shift in focus from purely monetary goals to prioritizing a positive team environment. As we've implemented these changes, there is a night and day difference in attitudes and energy in our practice!
The Relentless Pursuit of Practice Growth | E256Highlights from this episode: The Relentless Pursuit of Practice Growth (00:48)Closing Thought: Happiness Comes From Striving Towards the Mission (18:27)In this episode we are talking about the challenges and strategies of scaling from an early-stage startup to a multi-million dollar practice. Growth is a continuous, demanding process that requires resilience, strategic planning, and difficult conversations but let me assure you - it's worth it! Three key things I hope you take away from this are the importance of simplifying the vision, consistently reinforcing core values, and being proactive rather than reactive in business decisions. Join me on the journey!Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Practice Management: Lessons Learned | E255Highlights from this episode: Practice Management: Lessons Learned (00:13)Closing Thought: The Cost (22:53)This episode is a conglomeration of the biggest lessons learned and tools I've used the past few months to lay the foundation for the next level. We are putting things in place for another doctor, another location, and beyond! Learn from my mistakes and cut some time off your own journey. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How to Grow Your Practice Without Destroying It | E254Highlights from this episode: How to Grow Your Practice Without Destroying It (00:53)Closing Thought: Humble enough to be replaced, wise enough to know there's no one like me (15:07)I have found the age-old adage "if you're not growing, you're dying" certainly applies to optometry practices. If you aren't moving towards something bigger or better, you are fading away. Growth, however, can bring more than just more revenue - it can be the bearer of bigger issues if not done right. I hope you learn from some of my mistakes that I've made the past 9 months and chart a better course for your own practice!Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
The True Cost of Poor Management: Your Culture | E253Highlights from this episode:The True Cost of Poor Management: Your Culture (01:05)Closing Thought: You Don't Learn How to Swim by Reading About Water (19:57)If you have listened to this podcast for any length of time, you know how important culture is in our practice. The issue as of late has been finding the source of a culture breakdown... and it has been located: our management. It's a kick to the gut realizing that the people you have put in place to lead your team are - though no fault of their own necessarily - cutting the office culture off at the knees. Listen to how we are attacking this and getting back on track!Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How to Become So Valuable, You Are Not Needed in Your Practice | E252Highlights from this episode: How to Become So Valuable, You Are Not Needed in Your Practice (00:53)Closing Thought: If you always do what you've always done... (27:55)The more meetings I attend with my P3 study group, the more my vision is crystallizing for what I was my practice to become. I have created a 6 month to 5 year plan of attack for making myself so valuable that I am no longer necessary for my practice to operate. The time I'll get back to spend on the things I love and enjoy is the greatest reward!
Critical Moves Today for Your Dream Practice Tomorrow | E251Highlights from this episode:Critical Moves Today for Your Dream Practice Tomorrow (1:04)Closing Thought: Fear comes from inexperience, not incapability (22:09)The more time I spend with people that are more successful than I and have the kind of life and practices that I dream about, the more I realize all the steps are there, I just need to start walking. There are things I've heard for years that I either didn't believe or didn't think would work for my situation. For example: you will make more money outside of the exam room. Let me walk you through my journey from disbelief to reluctance to shouting it from the rooftops so I can encourage other ODs that are in the same boat as I was!
How to Manage Rising Costs & Thrive | E250Highlights from this episode:How to Manage Rising Costs & Thrive (00:51)Closing Thought 1: Your Comfort Zone is a Beautiful Place (10:49)Closing Thought 2: Until the Lion Learns to Write, Every Story Will Glorify the Hunter (12:42)Tariffs are the word of the moment right now but not to fear, there are many ways we can position ourselves to make it a smooth transition. The key to doing this however is knowing what your costs and numbers are so you can adjust pricing accordingly! This feels like a throwback to covid-era pricing issues and let me share how we can overcome it!
1 Step Back, 2 Steps Forward: The Power of a Break | E249Highlights from this episode: 1 Step Back, 2 Steps Forward: The Power of a Break (00:52)Closing Thought: Trading Time for Money (21:00)Being out of the office doesn't seem like it would be a smart move when you are trying to grow your practice. On paper it doesn't make sense - however, I'm here to tell you it does! Taking time away from the office has been one of my greatest weapons in my growth and expansion. Let me share what I do and how this process has evolved over the years to where I am today. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
The Power of a TEAM Approach to the Patient Journey | E248Highights from this episode: The Power of a TEAM Approach to the Patient Journey (00:52)Closing Thought: Success vs. Happiness (14:09)The last office meeting we had was probably one of the best we've ever had in regards to strengthening our efficiency and improving our office culture. We sat down and every department listed out things that were slowing them down in their workflows along the patient journey through the practice. Eyes were opened and so many things came to light that were simple fixes but have been a thorn in the side for a while, just never properly communicated so they could be remedied. Let me walk you through exactly how I structured the meeting and uncovered these hidden annoyances! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How Playing the Long Game & Doubling Down on Trust Has Affected My Practice | E247Highlights from this episode: How Playing the Long Game & Doubling Down on Trust Has Affected My Practice (00:43)Closing Thought: Praise in Public, Correct in Private (14:15)Planning for the future is always a good idea, however for some reason we can forget that when it comes to our patients. Something I've done for years and just recently pinpointed is that I am all about playing the long game with my patients. In my mind, this is not a one and done event - I am planting seeds for years down the road! That kind of approach seems to take the pressure off the patient and helps build trust which I'm now seeing the fruit of! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How To Stay Motivated in Private Practice | E246Highlights from this episode: How To Stay Motivated in Private Practice (00:33)Closing Thought: Don't forget to live (17:08)It's easy to fall into a mindless routine in private practice. The problem then is trying to not make stupid decisions (ie. purchasing equipment you don't have a plan to use, etc.) because there's no big picture goal. In this episode we are discussing how I battle this feeling quite often and what I've done to overcome it to keep growing and moving forward!Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How to Be A Better Doctor - It's Not What You Think | E245Highlights from this episode: How to Be A Better Doctor - It's Not What You Think (00:38)Closing Thought: The Parable of 3 Stone Cutters (15:14)There's a lot that goes into being a good doctor. While clinical knowledge is incredibly important, my hot take is there is something else that is the deciding factor on whether you are considered a great doctor or not. Let me know if you agree and if you think you've mastered this in your practice yet!
Anatomy of an Effective Office Meeting | E244Highlights from this episode: Anatomy of an Effective Office Meeting (00:49)Closing Thought: Double the Pleasure, Divide the Pain (19:26)We've talked about the importance of office meetings before but in this episode we are breaking it down to what actually needs to be included to make them worth it. A great office meeting requires preparation and work but trust me - if done right - it will help promote a phenomenal office culture and staff camaraderie. We want our practices to THRIVE, not just survive, so let's set ourselves up for success starting with our office meetings!Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How A Scorecard Helped My Practice Have the Best Two Months Ever | E243Highlights from this episode: How A Scorecard Helped My Practice Have the Best Two Months Ever (01:01)Closing Thought: Manage Your Ego. Manage Your Thoughts. (16:44)Since adding an associate about 6 months ago, we have taken lots of steps to improve my practice. We are all familiar with the phrase "what gets measured gets managed" and that is exactly what we leaned into with the creation of our practice "Scorecard". This was developed with the idea that everything on there was able to be directly influenced by the staff and they would have incentives to hit certain goals. While it took a few months to lay the groundwork and see where we were at before setting goals, I am blown away by how effective it has been in my practice. It has resulted in having the best two months ever even with having massive snow storms and sickness bombarding us! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How to Build Trust in Your Practice | E242Highlights from this episode:How to Build Trust in Your Practice (00:36)Closing Thought: You can't learn what you think you already know (23:14)Trust is the foundation of any practice. Whether it's your patients, your staff, or your associates, rapport must be built before they're going to put any faith in you. I have learned this lesson the hard way a few times over the years and am happy to say I've come out the other side and can now pass it along to all of you! If you want a thriving practice, use these tips and create some incredible relationships in your office!Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
5 Critical Steps to Develop Your Team | E241Highlights from this episode: 5 Critical Steps to Develop Your Team (00:44)Closing Thought: Love of the Journey (21:34)As your practice grows and changes, so must your team! During the expansion season of my practice, I added one doctor and 2 additional staff positions which put me at 8 total support staff. Of those 8, 4 of them have started within the last 6 months! This gave me the opportunity (or rather the need) to grow and train up a new team. These 5 steps are what I have been following and I hope they bring some value to your practice as well.
5 Tricks to Weathering the Storms of Private Practice | E240Highlights from this episode:5 Tricks to Weathering the Storms of Private Practice (00:45)Closing Thought: Mastery is Priceless (22:09)If there's one thing I've learned over the past 13 years it's that there will always be ups and downs in private practice. The way you get through it is by understanding that everything is a season and then implementing these 5 tricks to get your head above water and keep going.Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me atwww.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for ->YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
3 Reasons 2025 is Going to Be Our Best Year Yet! | E239 Highlights from this episode: 3 Reasons 2025 is Going to Be Our Best Year Yet! (00:42) Closing Thought: If there's money in the bank, we're not dead yet (23:13) While planning for this year, there are 3 things that keep coming to the forefront in how I run my practice that I believe are going to make this the best year yet and I am excited to share them with you! Let's grow!
2 Lessons from a New Level of Private Practice - E238 Highlights from this episode: 2 Lessons from a New Level of Private Practice (01:03) Closing Thought: The Neural Re-wiring Process (17:23) Part of achieving a new level in practice is getting new perspective and realizations when you step back and take a look at what you are doing and where you've been. There are a couple things I've known but lately their importance has really been obvious plus I have an optical nugget for you based off of some recent success with a higher end brand. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
This is the One Thing That's Holding You Back in Your Practice | E237 Highlights from this episode: The One Controllable Thing Holding You Back in Your Practice (00:33) Closing Thought: Do what you love! (17:58) Thinking back to my sports days, I had some incredibly influential coaches. There are some things that have stuck with me that I'm now applying to life as a business owner. Shoot me a message with how you want to practice. What's your dream schedule like? Do you see patients? Are you only doing specialty exams? I want to know!
5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My Practice | E236 Highlights from this episode: 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My Practice (00:34) Closing Thought: Be the person you needed when you were young (21:11) There are so many lessons I've learned over the past 13 years in practice but there are 5 that really stick out. I wish I fully understood these from the beginning and I want to share them to hopefully help you get ahead much faster than I did. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How to Go From Owner-Practitioner to Owner-Operator | E235 Highlights from this episode: How to Go From Owner-Practitioner to Owner-Operator (00:39) Closing Thought: How much can I lose and still be ok? I received a great question from a listener that I wanted to answer with a full episode on my thoughts. This question is how to make that transition from owner-practitioner to owner-operator. This is still very much a work-in-progress but I've already learned some incredibly valuable things making this change and I want to share them with you! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
3 Questions to Focus Your Goal-Setting | E234 Highlights from this episode: 3 Questions to Focus Your Goal-Setting (00:36) Closing Thought: What Does "Being" Allow You to "Do"? (20:52) As we head into a new year, this is typically the time we look back and take stock of the previous one. This facilitates your annual goal setting and to get the most out of this, we need to focus. There are a few questions I've been working on answering lately to help me narrow down what my goals should be to get the most satisfaction out of this year. Take a listen and I'd love to hear what your answers to these questions are!
Top Wins & Losses of 2024 for My Private Practice | E233 Highlights from this episode: Top Wins & Losses of 2024 for My Private Practice (00:47) Closing Thought: Reflection in Boiling Water (21:12) 2024 has been an incredible year! While it has been much more positive than negative, there were still some losses that took place. Let's take a look back at some of the biggest triumphs and defeats of this past year and the lessons they brought so we can use that going forward to make 2025 an even better year!
3 Private Practice Lessons That Took Me 13 Years to Learn | E232 Highlights from this episode: 00:42 - 3 Private Practice Lessons That Took Me 13 Years to Learn 23:01 - Closing Thought: No Shoes The end of the year is a great time for reflection and as is said so often "hind sight is 20/20". Let me share some lessons that I have been learning the past 13 years but have really come into clarity the past few months. These are some big picture things that I hope will give some encouraging perspective on your last year and some hope for the one ahead! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
3 Things That Should Be at the TOP of Your To-Do List For the Year End |E231 Highlights from this episode: 3 Things That Should Be at the TOP of Your To-Do List For the Year End (00:32) Closing Thought: F the Side Hustle! (13:36) As the year draws to a close I know as a practitioner, your to-do list is a mile long. However, there are 3 things that I believe you need to move to the very top of that list that are incredibly powerful in setting you up for success in the coming year. These are things I've seen the impact of over the past four years in my own practice... and we are continuing to grow year over year! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
3 Steps to Effective and Empathetic "Selling" | E230 Highlights from this episode: 3 Steps to Effective and Empathetic "Selling" (00:36) Closing Thought: You can Suck but you can't Skip! (17:38) "Selling" leaves a lot of people with a yucky taste in their mouths but once we realize the key to patient compliance is just that, a new level is unlocked! A good way to know if you actually believe in something is if you aren't scared of discussing the cost - because you believe that strongly that it is going to help your patient. Follow these 3 steps to connect with you patients and "sell" them on what is best for them! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Reflections on Perception & Passion in Your Practice | E229 Highlights from this episode: Reflections on Perception & Passion in Your Practice (00:43) Closing Thought: Is it a "hell yes"? (19:12) In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for in private practice and optometry as a profession. In this episode we are discussing some of the perceptions staff/patients/etc tend to have when you start making moves. While these perceptions may or may not be positive, the one thing you should be able to count on to power through is your passion. Do you love what you do and would you continue to do it if nobody knew? Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
3 Perspective Shifts for Long Term Success | E228 Highlights from this episode: 3 Perspective Shifts for Long Term Success (00:57) Closing Thought: Have You Earned What You Deserve? (19:04) I am just coming back from a week spent with my P3 Mastermind group in Nashville and I have gained some incredible perspective on what the future holds for not only our industry but my journey as well. Being in a room with people that are doing what I plan to do was an invaluable experience and has given me so much juice as I work toward my BHAG of 10 million in 10 years. You will not want to miss these nuggets and I hope they benefit you as much as they did me. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
4 Steps to Creating Lasting Connections in Your Practice | E227 Highlights from this episode: 4 Steps to Creating Lasting Connections in Your Practice (00:36) Closing Thought: A man can never step in the same river twice (21:06) A successful business is all about relationships and connections. It is even more relevant to our profession. You not only need to connect with your patients, but with your entire team. These are 4 steps that I've utilized to help me cultivate a dedicated patient base as well as an open and communicative team. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Key Leadership Principles You NEED to Build a Great Team | E226 Highlights of this episode: Key Leadership Principles You NEED to Build a Great Team (00:11) Closing Thought: You can lead a horse to water (20:14) Looking back at my externship with Dr. Martin Carroll over 13 years ago, I can see the genius in how he operated and led his team. I have tried to implement some of these in my own practice and though I still have much work to do, I can see the fruits of these principles already working! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Learning the Art of Solving Problems in Private Practice | E255 Highlights from this episode: Learning the Art of Solving Problems in Private Practice (00:31) Closing Thought: Now is not Forever (15:37) There is inherent risk in ownership. Then, growth requires you to up your risk tolerance even more (ie. no risk, no reward). That's where a good business owner needs to have discipline. Managing the risk is crucial. If you are constantly chasing the next opportunity - which are going to come with a whole new set of problems - in lieu of handling the current problems/issues in your practice, you will lose your balance and wind up in a bad place. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Top 4 Factors Contributing to My Growth the Past 2 Years | E224 Highlights from this episode: Top 4 Factors Contributing to My Growth the Past 2 Years (00:36) Closing Thought: Everyone Wants the View, No One Wants the Climb (16:08) An extreme amount of growth has happened for both my practice and myself personally the past few years and while I believe there are many things that have contributed to it, I have 4 that stick out as having the biggest impact on my trajectory. Had I known or learned these things earlier on, I'm sure I could have made it to where I am now a lot sooner but the growth is in journey and that time was necessary for me to fully develop these skills. I want to share these with you so perhaps it will help propel you forward even faster! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
The Secret to Achieving BIG Goals in Private Practice | E233 Highlights from this episode: The Secret to Achieving BIG Goals in Private Practice (00:42) Closing Thought: The easiest part of private practice (18:39) 2024 has been a big year for my practice! In light of the recent milestones we've hit (new location, adding a doctor, etc.), I thought I would take us back to where this vision was born back in 2022. That was the year I sat down and created my BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal) for 15 years out and worked backwards from there setting other goals for the in-between years. Let me tell you, the proof is in the pudding when it comes to the effectiveness of goal setting.
Moving Locations Recap: Stress & Success | E222 Highlights from this episode: Moving Locations Recap: Stresses & Successes (00:42) Closing Thought: Stacking Rice (19:21) It has been a busy week, my friends! In this episode I give you the play by play on how our moving week went with our practice. We are a few days in to a packed schedule week and I'm happy to be a case study and share my story of how it's going/where my mind is at. If you want to see how the new office turned out, take a look at our practice social media pages @familyvisionoptical! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Are You Stuck in Textbook Mode? It's Time to Get in the Arena! | E212 Highlights from this episode: Are You Stuck in Textbook Mode? It's Time to Get in the Arena! (00:40) Burst the Bubble! (14:11) In this episode we are talking about taking the next step in our practices. Whether that is adding a specialty, building a new location, or entering private practice for the first time, it's time to get in the arena. Let my experience be an encouragement! It's time for those goals and aspirations to become a reality my friends. Let's dive in! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
From Struggle to Success, the Journey of Leveling Up My Practice | E220 Highlights from this episode: 00:46 - From Struggle to Success, the Journey of Leveling Up My Practice 18:39 - Closing Thought: Our Circumstances Shape Our Views We are one week away from moving into our new office and let me tell you, it has been a whirlwind! In this episode we are talking about the perspective shifts that had to happen to get to this point - to take the leap and just get on the rollercoaster. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
3 Things You Need to Manage as the Head Coach of Your Practice | E219 Highlights fom this episode: 3 Things You Need to Manage as the Head Coach of Your Practice (00:32) Closing Thought: Should Have Wanted More Quote (19:23) For all intents and purposes, as the CEO's of our practices, we are basically the "head coach". It's our job to manage our staff, our patients, and our business. To do that we have 3 levers we can pull: people, culture, and numbers. Listen to find out how all these things work together to get the best out of your team. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How to Spot Growth and Maintain Momentum During Difficult Seasons | E218 Highlights from this episode: How to Spot Growth and Maintain Momentum During Difficult Seasons (00:46) Closing Thought: The World is Better When People Try to Improve (16:54) If you've listened to this podcast for any amount of time you'll know it's no secret that things are not always easy. In fact a lot of things are difficult and if you aren't focusing on the right thing, that can and will burn you out. In this episode we are talking about how to pull yourself back from the brink during those times, spot the growth that has already happened, and gain perspective from those who have travelled this road before and came out the other side. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
My Secrets to Maintaining Energy for My Practice & Avoiding Burnout | E217 Highlights from this episode: My Secrets to Maintaining Energy for My Practice & Avoiding Burnout (00:36) Closing Thought: Removing Yourself From the Emotion (16:39) What we do for our professional can be a grind for some people. We do the same thing day in and day out and then a new year hits and we start all over again. Over the years I have found some amazing ways to help refresh, refocus, and get juiced up for the next stretch. Hopefully one or two of these will strike a chord and help you in the same way they did me! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Emotions 101: How to Capitalize on Pain and Discomfort in Your Practice | E216 Highlights from this episode: Emotions 101: How to Capitalize on Pain and Discomfort in Your Practice (00:27) Closing Thought: Make the most of this moment (17:09) Emotions are powerful things. They can take you to great heights or drop you to great depths. In private practice we definitely experience the extreme highs and lows of this rollercoaster. The skill we need to master however is to make those lows (pain and discomfort in this example) work for you. Some of the greatest advancements come from painful situations! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Growth & Obstacles: How to Manage the Chaos of Private Practice | E215 Highlights from this episode: Growth & Obstacles: How to Manage the Chaos of Private Practice (00:45) Closing Thought: You'll Always Wish You Started Younger (20:53) Just as in any other business, private practice experiences seasons of "ease" and "chaos". We are currently in the "chaos" season in our practice. While we are bursting at the seams with a bigger location on the very near horizon, we are also dealing with the age-old challenge of proper staffing. The beauty of this, however, is the improvements and lessons that present themselves in this time that force us to grow and develop in ways we never would have otherwise. Join us for the ride! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
How to Figure Out if Your Staff is Overworked or Just Doesn't Care, And What To Do About It | E214 Highlights from this episode: How to Figure Out if Your Staff is Overworked or Just Doesn't Care, And What To Do About It (00:52) Closing Thought: Don't get stuck in the wrong room (16:05) Staffing is a never ending project within a practice. We have had to replace several staff members over the last few months and obviously there's a learning curve with new hires and they are going to make many mistakes. The thing you need to find out, however, is whether these mistakes are because they are overworked or if they just don't care. Listen to the end to find out my take on what these "just don't care" situations tend to actually be. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Quick Hitter: 3 Reasons to Love Being a Business Owner - E213 Highlights from this episode: Quick Hitter: 3 Reasons to Love Being a Business Owner (00:37) Closing Thought: Consistency (16:52) I was recently asked what I loved about being a business owner. There are 3 big reasons for me that relate back to my sports background growing up. This is an often overlooked aspect of being in private practice but I believe it's one of the greatest sources of growth and development. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Quick Hitter: How to Turn This Dirty Word into Your Practice's Super Power! - E212 Highlights from this episode: Quick Hitter: How to Turn This Dirty Word into Your Practice's Super Power (00:33) Closing Thought: Embarrassment is the Price of Entry (12:21) OD's tend to cringe at the the word "sales". As much hate as it gets, when you boil it down, it really is just communication. Your ability to be a great doctor depends on you being able to communicate with a patient: explain your findings, what you prescribe, etc. A non-compliant patient is one that has not bought into you. Instead of making this a taboo word in our profession, let's make it our super power! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Quick Hitter: The One Mistake that Will Change the Trajectory of Your Practice - E211 Highlights from this episode: Quick Hitter: The One Mistake that Will Change the Trajectory of Your Practice (00:37) Closing Thought: A Higher Calling (20:02) There is one thing that can cause your practice to either sink into the depths of despair or catapult into the stratosphere: the story you tell yourself. This is true for not only your practice but life in general. You want to go places and do big things? You better be surrounding yourself with a narrative that matches. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Quick Hitter: How to Not Let a Bad Situation Go To Waste - E210 Highlights from this episode: Quick Hitter: How to Not Let a Bad Situation Go To Waste (00:44) Closing Thought: The Magic Pill is in the Work You're Trying To Avoid (17:02) As private practice owners, there are going to be times when the crap hits the fan and things go sideways. It could be issues with your lab, being short staffed, your frame vendors aren't getting things to you, etc. The trick to not only surviving these issues but thriving because of them is to learn from them. When things go wrong, you are able to see your weaknesses with dazzling clarity. In this episode we will talk about how to learn and then grow from these situations to make your practice better than ever! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Quick Hitter: Customer Service vs. Hospitality - E209 Highlights from this episode: Quick Hitter: Customer Service vs. Hospitality (00:39) Closing Thought: What would you tell your 20 year old self? (18:30) The term "customer service" carries a lot of weight in business. Everyone claims to have it but few actually do. Today we are talking about the difference between that and hospitality and what we should take from each to be better doctors and practice owners. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
Highlights from this episode: Quick Hitter: How To Recognize & Improve Your Practice Identity (00:39) Closing Thought: Quote from S. McNutt (14:38) You've heard me say this time after time but to have a successful practice, you need to know who you are. Knowing your priorities as an office will help guide not only your decisions as the owner but your team's. Your homework is to get what you think it is down on paper and then have your staff do the same thing. Use this as a tool to create a unified mission! Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the great content coming down the pipe! For exclusive content, be sure to register your email on our website and I will be sending out newsletters and other great bonuses as we go. I love getting feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. so contact me at www.theultimateod.com, on social media (click here for -> YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) OR, just shoot me an email at drlillie@theultimateod.com and I'd be happy to chat!
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