Keeping Your Engine Running: The Importance of Self-Management for Automotive Leaders

As a business owner in today’s fast-paced automotive industry, you’re no stranger to stress. Whether you’re a retail independent dealer, a buy here, pay here or a lease here pay here operation, the pressures can feel relentless. You’re juggling staff management, inventory challenges, time-to-line metrics, lead penetration, overhead costs, Google reviews, marketing dollars, and the list just keeps growing. It begs the question: how do you manage it all and still find time for yourself as the owner or general manager?

Let’s face it, the success and culture of your business is a TOP DOWN issue. If you’re not operating at your best, how can you expect your team to operate at its best? Here’s the funny part: while many of us excel at creating processes and procedures for our business, we often forget to create some for ourselves. As one of my mentors used to joke all the time to salespeople complaining of being BURNT OUT, “How can you be burnt out if you were never on fire?” It’s funny, but are you really operating at 100%?

In a world where burnout is common, it’s crucial to prioritize your time, nutrition, and mental health. Start your day by carving out time for yourself. Simple movements—like a brisk walk—can work wonders for your mind and body. No need to train for a bodybuilding competition or RUN 50 miles; just get moving! Also, take a moment to create a checklist of everything you need to accomplish. This can help you stay focused and prevent distractions from derailing your day. The way you start your day can determine its entire outcome, so start your DAY with a WIN and keep that promise you made to yourself, your family and your business. Jordan Peterson is famous for saying, start the day by making your bed. Complete that task and put things in order.

How many times have you started your day with the intention of accomplishing a task, only to get sidetracked by a dozen requests from your team? How many tries does it take to get to the bathroom? LOL. Or worse, how many of you have gone all day without eating because you were too busy? Protecting yourself from these mistakes is important.

Scheduling time for yourself, whether in the morning or at the end of the day, is not SELFISH or a waste of time, it’s not a luxury; it’s necessary. How many times do you feel guilty for being at work when you’re at home and feel guilty for being at home when you’re at work? How many kids’ events have you missed? Taking a vacation shouldn’t terrify you. Remember, the dealership will still be there when you return! If it is that scary then we need to build up our staff and not subsidize their poor performance. Wearing a lot of hats and being good at a lot of things is great but it’s not effective. REMEMBER, when it comes to employees, if you do it for them, they will let you. By the hour you are an expensive porter, title clerk, and lot manager.

It’s essential to make time for what’s important and for your family. Strive to be a better spouse, parent, and version of yourself. Manage your expectations just as you do for your employees. “You’re not the person you want to be, and you know it.” Taking ownership of your life is crucial. If your store isn’t where you want it to be IT'S YOUR FAULT, if your family relationships aren’t flourishing, YOUR FAULT, or if your health is slipping, YOU GUESSED IT, the responsibility lies with you, and nobody can do it for you! But here is the GOOD NEWS, you have already survived 100% of your worst days, you got this!

Extreme ownership is vital, but perfection is a myth. Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to slow down. Start with the basics: aim for a simple two-mile walk each morning while you mentally prepare for your day. Make a list on your phone and fuel your body with real food. That fast food and energy drink diet? It’s doing you no favors.

If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to hire a trainer or explore meal prep services. Joe Rogan is always saying, “You have to take care of yourself. You have to be in the best shape possible.” Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to manage your health, emotions, and mindset. Never be too worried or insecure to ASK FOR HELP, no matter what the issue is. I am always happy to help! Work, Life, Exercise, whatever! The quickest way to help yourself get where you want to go is to focus on helping those you can get where they want to go.

We’ve all heard the horror stories of how this business can take a toll on you. It’s time to make a change. Create a plan, schedule your time, make your list, eat better, exercise, and don’t skip those doctor appointments your spouse made for you. Lead your family and business by example.

In the wise words of Chris Williamson, “Effort is the key to success; the results will follow.” So, take a step back, focus on yourself, and watch how it positively impacts your business and your life. After all, if you’re running on empty, how can you expect your engine to perform at its best? Did you really have a bad DAY, or did you have a bad five minutes, a bad customer interaction or a bad auction buy with a total crap CR, LOL, that you let ruin your whole day?

I am no Guru, I am not a picture of mental health, I do not have all the answers, I am absolutely a work in progress but I know the life I want and the person I want to be is on the other side of the hard work I can’t avoid!

Now get out there and MOVE THE METAL!