Do you ever look at your to-do list and feel like you’re running on a hamster wheel? If you’re like most car wash operators, that list is probably a mile long before you even step foot in the car wash. Not knowing what to work on first is an overwhelming feeling that ultimately results in a chaotic and sluggish operation. To become more productive and less stressed, consider using the “3 Things Technique” to review your to-do list, prioritize your goals and focus your efforts on getting things done.
The “3 Things Technique” technique is an effective way to manage your ever-expanding task list. We have personally used this technique to efficiently manage our wash locations and personal responsibilities with great success. It’s as simple as it sounds – just follow these three steps to improve your productivity:
1. Review.
At the end of each day – not at the beginning – review your entire to-do list. Focusing on this task at the conclusion of each day is critical, because it gives you permission to take your to-do list off your mind for the evening. You can take this exercise a step further by reviewing critical tasks and commitments for the upcoming week on Sunday evening.
2. Prioritize.
Identify three tasks that, if completed, would make a material difference to you, your employees and your customers. These three items – and only these three – are your priorities for the day. You should be able to complete them in a day. If you have large projects that take longer than a day to complete, identify a specific sub-task or allot a finite amount of time that you will prioritize for today’s list.
3. Focus.
Work on your three things as soon as you can, ideally before your wash opens. Do not work on anything else on your list until you complete these three things. When you are finished, then work on other tasks that might be on your list.
As with any new habit, it takes practice, patience and persistence to reap the benefits of this technique. Start applying it to your daily to-do list, and then do the same for your weekly, quarterly and annual lists. Completing your three things gives you a tremendous psychological boost and increases both your confidence and your energy. If your day does get derailed, as often happens in the car wash business, you can still get back to your three things later in the day, or try again tomorrow. You can also use the “3 Things Technique” as a coaching tool with your managers.
Overall, this task management technique will help you prioritize and focus on what’s most important so that you can successfully grow your car wash business while reducing your stress levels.
For the more information and tips on operating a successful car wash, we invite you to listen to The “How of Car Washing” podcast – a free, on-demand audio program focused on helping you start, operate and grow your car wash business.
