As Billy Joel once sang, “You’ve got so much to do, and only so many hours in a day.”

And that sentiment was sung back when “ticktock” represented the passing of time, and not the similarly sounding smartphone app potentially guzzling up said hours. 

In our constantly connected lives, it can seem like even “downtime” has busy undertones, as we’re all still partially plugged in.

In this month’s “Ticktock, Ticktock” Staff Hiring, Training + Retention column, two optometrists share tips and tools for identifying and improving time management in your practice—from avoiding micromanaging to successfully delegating. 

“Get out of the way, and you will be surprised at what your team is capable of without you,” says Mick Kling, OD, president and CEO of Invision Optometry in San Diego and senior director of professional development at Vision Source.

The question at hand: When schedules are tight, how can you rework goals, revamp processes, and reengage employees to be intentional with precious time?

On a more overarching scale, on the heels of a successful (and final) Vision Expo West, the industry can look to the trade show’s unified annual format in 2026 as an opportunity to streamline and create space for deeper engagement while strategically emphasizing time and investment.

“It’s what the industry wants. It’s what the profession wants,” Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, shared during an interview with EB at Vision Expo West. “What’s most exciting is really to deliver on that promise that you will see everything new.”

Here’s to continuing to restructure as needed to benefit this industry long term. 

Kerri Ann DeCindis,

Editor-in-Chief