Long Days in the Auto Repair Shop? Here’s How to Make Them Count

Running an auto repair shop can feel like an endless grind. The days stretch on, packed with interruptions, parts delays, and customer issues. But strangely enough, the years seem to vanish in the blink of an eye.

Rick White, founder of 180BIZ and host of Just One Thing, sees this paradox play out with nearly every shop owner he coaches. In a recent episode, he tackled the tough truth about time: the days are long, but the years are short. And unless shop owners make a conscious shift, they risk watching another year slip by without meaningful progress.

The Problem: Motion Without Movement

Many auto repair shop owners wake up every day just to put out fires. They're constantly reacting—never really stepping back to lead. They’ve built a business, but not necessarily the life they envisioned. Rick calls this the “rocking horse effect”: there’s a ton of motion, but no forward movement.

And the worst part? By the time December rolls around, they look back and wonder, What did I even accomplish this year?

It’s not laziness. It’s not lack of effort. It’s the consequence of living in reactive mode—and Rick’s seen it enough times to know it’s not sustainable.

The Reality Check: “Later” and “Tomorrow” Are Not Your Friends

Rick doesn’t sugarcoat it: later and tomorrow are liars. Shop owners keep promising themselves they'll carve out time for strategic planning "when things slow down," but that day never comes. The shop stays busy, but the business doesn’t grow.

And busy? That’s not the same as productive. It’s not the same as fulfilled.

The Fix: Three Anchor Moments That Change Everything

Rick’s solution is refreshingly simple—and wildly effective. It doesn’t require overhauling your calendar or waking up at 4 a.m. All it takes is three 15-minute blocks of intentional time every day.

Here’s how he breaks it down:

1. Start Your Day with Intention

The first 15-minute anchor happens in the morning. Before the first customer walks through the door, Rick recommends taking a quiet moment to ask:

• Where am I headed?
• How do I need to show up today?
• What truly matters right now?
  
  

Starting with gratitude and focus sets the tone for everything that follows. This isn’t about making a massive to-do list—it’s about leading with clarity.

2. Carve Out Strategic Time Midday

The second anchor moment is a scheduled, non-negotiable 15-minute meeting—with yourself.

Rick encourages shop owners to literally put it on their calendars. Whether it's during lunch or right after the last car is picked up, this time block is sacred.

Use it to:

• Think strategically about the business
• Identify one task that creates forward momentum
• Avoid distractions and shiny object syndrome
  
  

Rick’s metaphor? Like college students putting a sock on the dorm room door—this is your “do not disturb” time. No customers. No tech questions. Just focused business-building.

3. End with a Debrief

The third anchor happens at the end of the day. Rick calls this the debrief.

It’s a chance to reflect on:

• What went well today?
• What did I learn?
• Where do I need to adjust?
  
  

Shop owners often forget to celebrate wins—and that’s a huge missed opportunity. According to Rick, learning doesn’t just come from mistakes. It comes from success too.

The Tools (and the Truth) Behind the Method

Rick is a realist. He knows shop owners are juggling a lot. That’s why he recommends using tools like:

• Phone reminders or alarms
• Calendar events with alerts
• Goal-tracking apps that send nudges throughout the day
  
  

But at the end of the day, there’s only one thing that makes this work: discipline. Not motivation. Not perfection. Just the commitment to show up, every single day, and make those 15 minutes count.

The Big Takeaway: Don’t Let Another Year Slip By

If you’re an auto repair shop owner who feels like you're stuck in a loop of endless days and lost years, Rick’s message is clear:

“Busy doesn’t mean you’re winning. Progress does.”

Fifteen minutes, three times a day. That’s the system.
No fluff. No overcomplication. Just a better way to lead your business—one anchor moment at a time.

Want More Real-World Shop Advice?
Join Rick White and other shop owners at the next Shop Owners Roundtable or catch the next Pocket Business Genius webinar on going from chaos to freedom.