The Most Successful Auto Repair Shop Owners Avoid These Two Common Mistakes

by Rick White, President 180BIZ                                                                 (Estimated Read Time 4 minutes)

What I want to talk about is the mistake that a lot of people are making. Over the last week or so, I've been talking about focus. Since then, a lot of shop owners tell me that they think about their business all the time. I have to respond by saying that thinking about your business is not the same as focusing. This is the mistake. Why? When you're thinking about the business, you're doing usually one or two things.

First, I want you to remember…

Where focus goes, energy flows.

It’s that simple. And it’s super important.  

MISTAKE #1 – Worry

When I talk to shop owners who say they are thinking about their business all the time, I ask, “What are you thinking about?” They say that they are:

• Worried about not having enough help.
• Worried they don’t have enough cars.
• Worried about paying their bills.
• Worried about keeping the doors open.

They think about:

• What if something goes wrong?
• What if they get hurt?
• What if they can't find help?

Worry is a very poor focus. Why? Because if energy flows where your focus goes, that's a problem. You’re focused on failing. You’re focused on misery. You're focused on pain. That is not a healthy focus.

Another type of worry focus is being afraid. Afraid of making the wrong decision.

• What If I do the wrong thing?
• What if I hire someone and they don't work out?
• What if I get this part I've never used before and doesn't work?

Mistake #2 - Doubt

Doubt is the second focus. 

• Doubt creates stalling.
• Doubt creates indecision.
• Doubt creates a lack of movement.

Worry and doubt are indicators

Does your life have a place for worry and fear? Yes. Does it have a place for doubt? Yes. Not to focus on but to solve. They're indicators. Don't let them drive. There are merely indicators.

When something is nagging at you and you're afraid, it's your inner voice telling you, “Hey, have you thought of this? Do you have a plan?”

Now, if you stare at the fear, it just gets bigger and bigger and bigger. Time, neglect, and focus, create a monster.

But if you just step back and said, “You know something, I'm hiring this new tech. I'm afraid I might not have enough cars. What will I do about it?”

That's the secret sauce. What will I do about it?

That will make a difference. It will create an action plan so that you stay moving toward where you want to go. You have a lot more control and influence over a situation than you think you do. But the fear takes that away from us if we let it.

It’s the same with doubt. If you're afraid of something like “I'm not sure this part will work,” then reach out on Facebook.  Ask if anyone else used that brand. Ask about their experience with it. Get some feedback. Don't sit there in indecision. Indecision causes you to recreate tomorrow the same way you did today.

What you need is the right focus. You need the right focus. You need a destination that lights us up. You need a destination that pushes you. You need a destination that challenges you. And then you must have the belief that you can achieve it.

Worry and doubt are the unhealthy focus.

I started thinking about this and I thought doubt and worried are not a focus. Then I thought, “No.” They are a focus. They're just not a healthy focus. They're not a healthy focus for you or your company. They cause you to live smaller than you should, smaller than you could, and smaller than I want you to be.

You are capable of such greatness. What I need you to do is answer, “What will I do about it?”

   I want you to NOTICE IMPROVEMENT.

      I want you to CELEBRATE PROGRESS.

         I want you to PUSH for POTENTIAL.

And I have one last thought. This just popped into my mind. Stop thinking right or wrong.

   There is no such thing as a wrong decision.

      There is no such thing as the right decision.

         There is just a best decision and a better decision.

Make the best decision for today.

Revisit it when you have new information or feedback. Then decide if it's still the best decision. If it isn't, find a better one.

If you want to deep dive into this subject, please sign up for the 180BIZ Pocket Business Genius webinar series. You get an amazing library of over 60 recorded webinars, and growing, plus a live one every month. People love it and I would love to have you there.

Thank you so much for joining me here. God bless. Stay safe, and have fun. Go make some money.

Want to learn more about transforming your business? CLICK HERE to get advice you can use to improve your shop, the day it lands in your inbox.