​This is the age of the social entrepreneur and consultant.   All it takes is a web page, a funnel, or Facebook Ad, and you can gain a voice in most any market. 
 
But when is the right time to hire a consultant? 
 
Here are a couple of tips…
 
One:  When you need to gain a breadth and width of knowledge quicker than you can gain it personally, hire a consultant. 
 
There is no lack of information out there.  The issue becomes how much time you have to go and get it.  When you can save time in one area of your life yet still gain what you need professionally, a qualified consultant is worth it.
 
Two:  When you want experience from different disciplines, hire a consultant.
 
Some consultants have experience in various fields.  These disciplines provide a rich background for you to choose from.  The issues of your business can be addressed with a less narrow and more rich focus with a seasoned consultant. Most business owners don’t have time for extensive research and their experience is typically fashioned by their profession.
 
And most importantly…
 
Three:  When you want a specific task accomplished within your business that doesn’t necessitate a new employee, hire a consultant.
 
The better consultants can accomplish specific tasks for you.  For example, maybe you need a new hiring system or a new review system, perhaps you need front desk or sales training…these are perfect opportunities to hire a consultant.  They can get in, learn your need, affect positive change, and get out without you bearing the burden of a new employee.
 
Whatever you decide, interview the consultant extensively or even ask for references.  The best can off you both.
 
Gordon Duncan is the CEO/Consultant of ProSight Success.  He has worked in the eye care industry for nearly 20 years.  He has consulted in the medical field, manufacturing, accounting, and many other disciplines.  You can contact him at gordon@jgordonduncan.com
 
ProSight offers a host of resources for the optometric and small business field.  You can find front desk training at our Front Desk Academy.  Additional resources can be found below:
 
Digital ProSight Success System
Paperback ProSight Success System
 
And our best value:  the ProSight Success Workbook that includes a digital copy and a free hour of consulting.
 

How much is your time worth?  While that number may be impossible to determine, one thing is for sure: 

Your time is too valuable to waste: 
 
In your house, in your office, or in your free time (if you have any), there never seems to be enough.  Since that is the case, do you invest in understanding and taking advantage of your time?  If not, you should.
 
What if by answering three questions, you could transform your day and be more productive?  Well, here are here three to answer, and they are based on the principles of Reduce, Redeem, and Rest.
 
What tasks today need reduced distractions?  These are tasks that require your best focus, free from phones, computers, etc.
 
What tasks today can you redeem by multi-tasking?  This is where you squeeze in those podcasts or when you exercise.
 
Where can you rest today?  This is a full body and mental rest. 
 
Answering these three questions each day will make you much more productive and peaceful.  Give it a try.   
 
Reduce, Redeem, and Rest. 
 
If you want to go a step further, ProSight created a planner that enables you to do this each day.
 
The planner works like this.  It breaks each day into 3-hour segments to help you fuel up and power down.  But even better, it helps you figure out how to approach each part of your day. 
 
Pick up a Streamlining Planner, and transform your day.
 
Gordon Duncan is the CEO/Consultant of ProSight Success.
 
If you would like to pursue “Streamlining”, as well as the other elements of the ProSight Success System from which it came, you can find those resources at www.prosightsuccess.com & articles at www.prosightsuccessblog.com.  If you want to understand more about life-planning and consulting, just email me at jgordonduncan@gmail.com.  I can’t wait to hear your success stories.