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IDOC actively shares industry-focused articles, blog posts, podcasts, videos and other thought leadership with our members and other optometric practitioners. Below, you will find links to our growing library of educational materials and multi-media assets written and created by IDOC's team of seasoned industry experts.
Ximara Vega | 2/3/2020
WHAT'S IN A DREAM...

It all started when I was about 8, I was going to be a lawyer. This was my dream even though I was surrounded by what others may consider nothing. To me, it was motivation. I wanted more than to become a product of my environment. I wanted more than the promise of becoming another statistic. I could talk myself out of anything so lawyer it was. Something changed, I became aware of the fact that my grandma just wasn’t normal. It dawned on me that although I saw her all the time, she never spoke. It never occurred to me that she didn’t live in a house or apartment like the rest of us. She lived in a convalescent home. Then I learned why. My Grandma was once a happy, healthy woman full of life, but then she became a bit erratic and unpredictable. She was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Then she became forgetful and lost at times. She was then diagnosed with early onset dementia. At 50, she was put into a convalescent home because her mental incapacity was so hard to manage.

At 13, I decided I was going to become a psychologist. I went through high school determined to accomplish my dream. I graduated at the top of my class and at 17 went off to college where I immediately declared my major. Off I went on my journey to become a psychologist. Given my humble beginnings, there was no financial support in this endeavor. I was the first in my family to go to college and I was on my own; I needed to find a job. Eventually I found myself immersed in this new and exciting environment. I was able to use what I learned in my psychology courses to connect with people and best of all, it was my job to help them see. I was blown away by this incredible service I was able to provide.

At 18 I declared, this is what I want to do, I’m going to become an Optician. I took all the necessary steps to become a certified Optician and have been in this field ever since. I worked my way up to optical management, and at 24 I learned that I was going to become a mom. This changed everything because I was no longer living for myself.

At 25, I welcomed this incredible little boy into my life, and I was in awe and terrified simultaneously. It was at that point I realized my purpose was greater than I could have ever imagined. Ultimately, that is what landed me here. I have the ability to use my experiences to influence positive change within a field I love. Our mission as an organization is to encourage independent business owners to live the practice of their dreams. I am a clear example of how dreams change. With changed dreams comes changes in focus, direction, internal and external processes.

Take a minute to reflect:

  • What is your dream?
  • Are you living it?
  • If not, let’s take steps to make it happen
Ximara Vega
Merchandising Manager
Ximara is an ABO Certified Optician and lecturer with over a decade of experience in both consumer relations and staff management in the optical industry. As an Optical Management Consultant with IDOC, she works with practices to develop processes designed to motivate and inspire positive change in areas such as staff training, goal setting, sales and inventory management. For insight into her approach feel free to read her IDOC blogs and the articles she has written for Pentavision's Optometric Management Tip of the Week.
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