What New Year’s resolutions ODs make for 2019

If you’re looking for New Year’s resolution ideas, we have you covered.

We asked many ODs what resolutions they make.

Check out their answers to compare to your own resolutions…or get some new ideas for yourself in 2019!

Our 2017 story:Making New Year’s resolutions, optometry style

Our 2016 story: ECPs share their New Year’s resolutions

Lauretta Justin, OD
Orlando, FL

I make all my personal New Year’s resolutions on my birthday each year because that's when my personal new year starts.  

This year my resolution is to think less and jump more.

In December, I review and update all of my business plans and set no more than one to three goals for the upcoming new year.

This year, our goal is to launch our orthokeratology and specialty contact lens clinic.

Maria Pribis, OD, FAAO
Stamford, CT

To collaborate with doctors and students on OcularPrime.com.

To incorporate an in-office thermal pulsation treatment for dry eye patients.

To incorporate a new workout routine that fits a working mom’s schedule. 

To really kick my sugar habit.

Margie Recalde, OD, FAAO
Fresno, CA
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

Create a budget and key performance indicators for 2019.

Discuss with frame vendors their 2018 turnover rate and requirements to continue their frame lines in my office for 2019.

Utilize Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness (DISC) assessment to improve communication with staff and patients.

Etty Bitton, OD, MSc, FAAO, FBCLA
Montreal, Canada

Take better care of myself, both physically and mentally.

Chris Wroten, OD
Hammond, LA
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

Our office’s New Year’s resolution is to empower our staff with renewed focus on education, training, and patient service.

Leo Semes, OD, FAAO
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

I am not a fan of future date-based resolutions. Why wait to say, “I will start/stop doing X”?

Alan Glazier, OD, FAAO
Rockville, MD
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

Still working on last year’s resolutions.

Pam Miller, OD, JD, FAAO
Highland, CA
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

I simply don’t bother with New Year’s resolutions. Most people make and then break them as soon as they are made.

I prefer simply trying to do my best and keep things on an even keel rather than making resolutions.

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA
Sacramento, CA
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

My resolution is to practice daily mindfulness, which has been transformative both personally and professionally.

Mindfulness training keeps your attention and awareness on the moment, whether it be the sights and sounds around you, the specific patient in front of you, or the pace of your breathing.

Practicing mindfulness is truly life changing. I encourage you to give mindfulness a try.

Barbara Fluder, OD
Merrillville, IN
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

Lose 10 pounds before our cruise!

Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM
Senior vice president customer development group
Essilor of America

Prioritize family and work, and periodically come up for air (me time).

Diana Canto-Sims, OD
Chicago
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

We don’t make New Year’s resolutions. We create a family (and business) vision board of what we want to experience and how we want to feel entering the new year.

We use a poster board (or a notebook) and crop pictures into it. We keep it in our family room to see it daily to remind us of our intentions.

Things we have put on our vision board include:
• Disney trip
• Cancun trip
• New equipment for the practice
• Salsa or pole dance lessons

The vision board works because we set a time for each intention and reverse engineer it.

Andy Morgenstern, OD, FAAO
Bethsda, MD
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

• Prioritize my health
• Prioritize what is important to my wife and kids
• Watch less anything about politics or news, it doesn’t matter
• Go fishing more
• Plan an international trip to somewhere that I have never been before
• Practice more guitar
• Listen more, speak less
• Be a better steward of the environment

Jeff Anshel, OD, FAAO
Encinitas, CA
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

I always resolve not to make resolutions because I do this just about every week. To me, every day is another opportunity to “start over” and have what I want in life!

Melanie Denton, OD, MBA, FAAO
Salisbury, NC
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

My resolution is to hire an office manager-my life needs to get a little easier!

Bryan Wolynski, OD, FAAO
New York City

To take time for myself and not bring work home with me. And use that time to do things I’ve been meaning to do, such learn new language and learn to play the piano better.

Milton Hom, OD, FAAO, FACAAI(Sc)
Azusa, CA
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

To start each day thinking of things I am thankful for.

Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO
Scottsdale, AZ
Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board member

My New Year’s resolution is to give up coffee. Oh no, I meant: My New Year’s resolution is to give up. Coffee!!