Why selling TIME as a commodity is a disease and some suggestions on the cure

We all periodically look at ourselves in the mirror and consider the reflection – who do I really look like, what am I really doing?

It pays to have an unconditional friend help with that process.

Someone who tells us the truth.

I’m in that phase at the moment – looking at my own reflection and asking others (people I trust, respect and like) to tell me what they see.

As part of that process, a simple question with a profound answer has emerged – one that I would ask you to ask yourself today:

What am I actually selling?

We can sell:

  • Time – I’ll show up;
  • Thoughts – this is my opinion/advice;
  • Tales – these are my stories;
  • Tools – here are my tips, techniques and tactics;
  • Tuition – let me train you.

The truth is that the only one of these commodities that is in limited supply is TIME.

Yet – I find myself selling time over and over again, coming up with ever more ingenious ways of leveraging time to maximise my profitability (higher prices and/or bigger rooms).

The challenge that constantly has me pausing for thought is that I have better things to do with my time than to simply sell it all – don’t you?

Back in 1997 the The Dental Business School was born and we asked – how do we make more profit in less time?

Back then the solutions were limited.

Now we live in a very different world.

Every business owner must ask themselves:

If I wanted to significantly reduce the amount of my time that I sell for money and simultaneously increase profit – what would I have to do?

It’s the biggest question I’ve asked myself in the last 20 years.

I’m working with friends, clients and coaches to design the answers – for me and for you.

I want my clients to take more holidays, spend more time with their families, get fitter, explore, take up new hobbies, give back to their tribes, read, listen to music and develop their intellect and spirituality.

I’m on a mission to sell less time and for you to sell less of yours.

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Chris Barrow

Chris Barrow has been active as a consultant, trainer and coach to the UK dental profession for over 20 years. As a writer, his blog enjoys a strong following and he is a regular contributor to the dental press. Naturally direct, assertive and determined, he has the ability to reach conclusions quickly, as well as the sharp reflexes and lightness of touch to innovate, change tack and push boundaries. In 2014 he appeared as a “castaway” in the first season of the popular reality TV show “The Island with Bear Grylls”. His main professional focus is as Coach Barrow, providing coaching and mentorship to independent dentistry.