Performance in Your Auto Repair Shop: Are You Moving or Just Busy?

Let me ask you something straight: Is your shop actually making progress—or are you just spinning your wheels?

Most shop owners I talk to feel slammed. They’re running full speed all day, juggling customers, parts, techs, invoices, and still lying awake at night wondering, “Why am I not further ahead?”

Here’s the hard truth: Busy doesn’t equal productive.
Activity doesn’t always mean advancement.
That’s where performance comes in.

And no, I’m not talking about some corporate spreadsheet nonsense. I’m talking about the kind of performance that moves your business forward and helps you breathe again.

Let’s break this down.

You Can’t Improve What You Don’t Measure

I saw a quote once that said, “Where performance is measured, performance improves.”
And it’s dead-on.

You might feel like you're working harder than ever—but unless you’re measuring, you’ve got no idea if that effort is actually paying off. You’re just guessing.

I want to give you something to chew on:

Without measurement, you can’t tell the difference between motion and movement.

You might be moving like crazy. Phones ringing, bays full, techs staying late. But is the shop actually improving? Are your numbers moving? Are your people growing? Is the stress easing up?

If not, you're probably in motion, not movement. There’s a big difference.

Why Shop Owners Avoid Measuring

You know what I hear all the time?

"Rick, I don’t want to measure—I’m afraid of what I’ll see."

Let me say this with love: That’s fear talking, not leadership.

Measuring doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you a business owner who’s finally getting honest about what’s going on. And that’s where all the growth starts.

Measurement isn’t a report card. It’s a flashlight.
It shows you where to focus.
It reveals what’s working and what’s broken.
It gives you control.

Without it, you're just reacting all day. And that’s not sustainable.

3 Simple Rules for Measuring Performance in Your Shop

Look—I’m not here to bury you in KPIs. I want to keep this real and usable. If it’s not simple, you won’t stick with it. So here’s the framework I teach my clients:

1. Keep it Simple

Track what matters. Car count. Average repair order. Gross profit. Don’t overthink it—pick 3 to 5 numbers that tell you the truth about how your shop is doing and start there.

2. Keep it Visible

If your numbers live in a spreadsheet no one sees, they might as well not exist. Put them where your team can see them. Whiteboard. Wall chart. Shop TV screen. Doesn’t matter—just make it visible.

3. Keep it Accountable

Set realistic goals. Review them every week. Talk about what’s moving in the right direction and what’s not. Celebrate progress. Adjust what’s not working.

This isn’t about blame. It’s about getting better. Every. Single. Day.

The Real Reason This Matters

When you start measuring, things change. Not just in the shop—but in your mindset.
You stop reacting and start leading.
You stop wondering if things are working—you know.
And when something’s not right, you know exactly where to focus.

You stop spinning plates just to keep them in the air.
You start making intentional moves that build momentum.
You start feeling hope again.

And that, my friend, is the fuel that drives real change.

Want More Help with This?

If this message hits home, and you want more practical strategies like this, you need to check out our Pocket Business Genius Webinar Series. It’s just $49 a month and gives you:

• One live webinar a month with real-world advice you can actually use
  
  
• A growing library of over 85 past trainings
  
  
• Proven strategies to help you run your shop better, earn more, and breathe easier
  
  

Also—if you’re a shop owner and looking for a place to connect with others who get it, join us for our Shop Owners Roundtable on June 12 at 7 PM Eastern. One hour, zero fluff, and a whole lot of value.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to do it all at once.
Just start measuring.
Pick one number.
Track it for a week.
Talk about it with your team.
Adjust. Repeat.

That’s how you get from motion to movement.

That’s how you lead.

And if you’re ready, I’ll be right here to help.

Take care,
Rick