The Best Auto Repair Shop Owners Know the Power of Erosion

The Power of Erosion by Rick White, President 180BIZ

Today’s word is Erosion. What's the one thing that comes to mind when I say the word erosion? Based on that one thing, do you believe that erosion is a good thing or a bad thing? I want to tell you what I think of when I think of erosion. I think a Grand Canyon. Anybody that's ever been to the Grand Canyon knows how absolutely beautiful it is. And it's breathtaking. I've been there twice. I've been there once by myself and once with my wife. And I must tell you, when I was there by myself, it was a big deal because I was alone, and it really made me feel lonely for the first time in my whole life.

But then I went back with my beautiful wife, Brenda. She and I went up there and spent a couple of days at the Grand Canyon and it was magical. It was absolutely magical. So, for me, the Grand Canyon is a special place. But beyond that, it is absolutely breathtaking. That’s erosion for me. That is the by-product of erosion. So why am I talking about erosion? And the reason why is because I watch shop owners every day think that these grand gestures that they do are going to make their business bigger and better. What’s an example of a grand gesture? Sign on a new fleet account, or there's a new hospital or a new business that comes into the area and you get to corner that market. Understand that grand gestures don't work. Neither does chasing the latest new thought or idea. Get rid of those “get rich quick” schemes, thoughts, or strategies that you hear about. They don't work.

The power in erosion is consistency. It's consistency a little bit at a time, a little bit at a time, a little bit of time, a little bit of time, but you do that little bit of a time every single time, every single day. And it adds up over time. So, pick a destination and then stick with it. Then figure out a path that you're going to use to get there. It might not be the right path. Is that what you're thinking? “What if it's not the right path, Rick?” I want you to stop thinking “right path.” Because when you ask yourself that question, assuming that there’s a wrong path.

There is no such thing as a “wrong path.” There are just “better paths.” Even if you're going down a path that doesn't get you the results that you want, there's a lesson in there. There's no such thing as the right path. It's the best path. And here's the truth. What might be the best path for your friend isn't going to be the best path for you. You must understand that. Why? Because each one of us judges success differently. And each one of us has different issues in the shop that must be dealt with. So what worked in one shop may not work in another. Instead of trying to figure this out all by yourself, step back and recognize that you should get a coach. Why should get a coach? Because a coach is going to help pull you out of the weed or pull you out of the trees so that you can see the forest.

You can get stuck in a maze and be completely lost. But if I figuratively pulled you one hundred yards up with a helicopter you'd be able to look down at that maze. You would have a whole different view and mindset.  You’d quickly see the way out. That's the power of perspective. And that's what a coach can bring. Now, if you think I could help you, that would be absolutely amazing. And I'd love to have the opportunity. But the key is to get a coach. Find somebody that can step back and help you see the bigger picture. And I think that's really important.

Working harder on strategies that don't work is not the answer. It's about becoming more effective and then becoming efficient. Jumping from thing to thing doesn't work. Make consistency work for you so jumping from idea to idea. Typically, if you don't get immediate results, you go to the next idea. And if you don't get immediate results there, you go to the next idea and so on. So instead, choose a destination and path to that destination that you will work on. Your destination should be something that really excites you. Then figure out what you need to do to get there. That’s your path.

That’s how you make consistency work for you. You must change your habits. Old habits will never open new doors. Write that down. Old habits will never open new doors. If you want something bigger and better, you have to become that person. You have to do those things. You need new habits. Pick that destination and then figure out your path. What are you going to do? Then I step back and say, “Okay, what habits do I have to replace? What habits do I have?” I’ve heard that 40% of our day is spent using habits. We're not thinking through things, we're letting things happen. And the truth is you have habits that aren't serving you. Step back and figure out what habits need to be replaced.

Then identify what habits you should replace them with. Get that habit started and have a feedback process so you can see yourself doing it more and more. I’m not talking about perfection here. Perfection doesn't exist. This is about getting better. If you do your new habit three days this month, and you did it zero days last month, that's a win. Next month, if you do it 10 days, that's a win. It's progress, not perfection. That's what we're looking for. Progress, not perfection. The more you can get those habits ingrained, you’ll be allowing your cruise control to do the work for you. It makes all the difference in the world.

Willpower doesn’t work either. Why? Let me give you an example. When you're losing weight, don't leave potato chips in the house even if they are for someone else. If you think willpower is going to keep you away from those potato chips, I guarantee the first time you have a salt craving and it's late at night, you're going to eat the house. Willpower tends to wane throughout the day. You will eat the house. You must set up an environment that is going to help you with success. And that's what your habits do  They set you up for success.

So, I want you to step back, figure out your destination, get the path, and then figure out what you're going to replace habits, and then feedback. Remember, progress over perfection, and then get rocking.

If this video really helps you out, if it's clicking for you, and you think it’s a great message today, please share the video. We need to help others. We need to make the world a better place and I need your help to do it. I'm asking you as a personal favor, share the video. Somebody in your network, one of your friends, they’ll thank you.

I want you to stay safe, go make some money and get yourself some new habits.