Optometry: The Ultimate O.D.
Welcome to The Ultimate O.D. podcast with host, optometrist and practice owner, Dr. Nick Lillie. Join us weekly as Dr. Lillie brings the real talk with hard won wisdom and levity on all things Optometry such as practice management, practice specialties, business tips, and more all from his own personal experience!
Recent Episodes
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Sept. 3, 2026
The 90-Day Plan That Changed How I Run My Optometry Practice | E321
The 90-Day Plan That Changed How I Run My Optometry Practice | E321 Highlights from this episode: The 90-Day Plan That Changed How I Run My Optometry Practice (00:54) Closing Thought: Lazy People vs. Winners (25:37) I’ve always struggled with the temptation to change things too quickly—come up with a new idea, get some resistance, and then move on to the next thing because I feel like I need to be doing something. In this episode, I’m sharing why I’ve started using 90-day plans to force myself
320
Aug. 27, 2026
What If Keeping Your Options Open Is Actually Hurting You? | E320
What If Keeping Your Options Open Is Actually Hurting You? | E320 Highlights from this episode: What If Keeping Your Options Open Is Actually Hurting You? (00:52) Closing Thought: One Decision (21:08) It can be very easy to keep every door open as a practice owner—but sometimes having too many options actually keeps you from moving forward. In this episode, we're talking about the danger of using possibilities as a form of procrastination, why making a decision creates compounding value, and t
319
Aug. 20, 2026
The CEO Mindset Isn't What You Think It Is | E319
The CEO Mindset Isn't What You Think It Is | E319 Highlights from this episode: The CEO Mindset Isn't What You Think It Is (00:51) Closing Thought: Making Intentional Decisions for the Future You Want (25:42) In this episode, I’m talking about the difference between ambition and leadership, why being busy or growth-focused doesn’t automatically make you a better CEO, and how your personality should influence the kind of practice you choose to build. We’ll also talk about why some owners love t
318
Aug. 13, 2026
The Secret to Getting Your Optometry Team Excited About Growth | E318
The Secret to Getting Your Optometry Team Excited About Growth | E318 Highlights from this episode: The Secret to Getting Your Optometry Team Excited About Growth (00:52) Closing Thought: The real prize of achieving a goal (22:05) I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to have a vision for your practice—and I’ve realized that keeping that vision in my head isn’t enough. In this episode, I’m sharing what happened when I started putting my vision out there with my associates and staf
317
Aug. 6, 2026
Why Confidence Comes After Action, Not Before | E317
Why Confidence Comes After Action, Not Before | E317 Highlights from this episode: Why Confidence Comes After Action, Not Before (00:41) Closing Thought: Resiliency (27:22) The longer I own a practice, the more I realize that growth has less to do with finding better strategies and more to do with becoming a better leader. In this episode, I’m sharing why confidence is built through action, how making imperfect decisions has accelerated our growth, and why waiting until you feel "ready" is one
316
July 30, 2026
Why Your Optometry Practice Feels Stuck (And How to Move Forward) | E316
Why Your Optometry Practice Feels Stuck (And How to Move Forward) | E316 Highlights from this episode: Why Your Optometry Practice Feels Stuck (And How to Move Forward) (00:49) Closing Thought: Old Habits vs. New Standards (20:01) One of the hardest lessons I’m learning as a practice owner is that the decisions that got me here aren’t always the ones that will get me where I want to go next. In this episode, I’m sharing how I’m learning to think like a CEO instead of just a doctor, why we hold