Envisioning the Future and Goal Setting
As a new manager in an optometric practice, you're stepping into a dynamic role that blends healthcare, customer service, team leadership, and business operations. In the midst of the day-to-day demands—appointments, staffing, and inventory—it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. That is where envisioning the future and setting clear goals becomes essential. These practices are not just strategic tools. They are the foundation of long-term success and sustainable growth.
Why Envisioning and Goal Setting Matter
Envisioning the future is about creating a clear picture of what you want the practice to become over time. It is not just a lofty idea. It is a practical exercise that defines your destination. Whether you are aiming to expand services, adopt new technologies, grow patient volume, or create a standout patient experience, a shared vision gives your team purpose and direction.
Goal setting, on the other hand, breaks that vision into achievable, measurable steps. Without goals, even the most inspiring vision remains just a concept. Goals provide structure, create accountability, and help you and your team track progress and celebrate wins.
Together, vision and goals align your team, inform your decisions, and help you lead with clarity.
How to Create a Vision for Your Practice
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Start with the Big Picture: Ask yourself where you want the practice to be in 3–5 years. Consider patient care, technology, team culture, reputation in the community, and business growth. Involve your owner, optometrists, and team leads to gather input and build shared ownership.
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Make It Inspiring and Clear: A good vision statement should energize your team and be easy to communicate. For example: “To become the go-to optometric provider in our community by delivering cutting-edge care and exceptional patient experiences.” Our current vision statement is: "We Make Eyes Smile."
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Keep It Relevant: Align your vision with industry trends (like digital eye exams or myopia management) and local needs. A vision should stretch your team, but remain grounded in what is possible.
Turning Vision into Action Through Goal Setting
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Set SMART Goals: Break your vision into Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives. Goal setting for team members can be found here. SMART goals for managers would look something like:
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Increase patient retention by 15% over the next 12 months
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Implement an online booking system by Q3
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Reduce appointment wait times to under 5 minutes by year-end
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Prioritize and Plan: Identify 2–4 key goals that will have the biggest impact on the office, and map out the steps needed to achieve them. Assign responsibilities and timelines.
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Monitor Progress: Build in regular check-ins to assess progress. Use dashboards or simple spreadsheets, and celebrate milestones to keep momentum high.
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Be Flexible: The industry and patient expectations can shift quickly. Be ready to reassess and adjust your goals as needed, while keeping your long-term vision intact.
Leading with Vision
As a manager, your leadership sets the tone. When you communicate a compelling vision and show a commitment to meaningful goals, your team is more likely to stay engaged and aligned. Visioning and goal setting are not one-time events. They are ongoing practices that keep your practice moving forward with purpose.
By guiding your team toward a shared future and breaking that journey into concrete, achievable steps, you lay the groundwork for a thriving, future-ready optometric practice.