The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals

The veterinary environment can be rough. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally.
We often blame the clients, and their behavior, for our experience. But, it doesn't start there.
It starts closer to home.
Many of us experience work environments where gossiping and back-stabbing are the norm...
... where "us against them" is common...
... where nobody seems happy, and nobody feels safe.
In these environments, we turn on each other. We become self-righteous. We judge harshly. We become control-freaks and perfectionists. We think these things are useful. (They aren't).
Evidence of this can be found within the walls of our organizations, and also in how we interact outside of those walls.
> Every time we bash a neighboring clinic, it's proof.
> Every time we talk negatively about a referring colleague to a client, it's proof.
> Every time we believe there is an authority to fight against, it's proof.
So what are we actually trying to achieve with all of this anger? We are just trying to feel better.
See, anger is familiar, and it feels more powerful than fear and uncertainty. It feels justified and we justify it through blame.
But what are we really angry about? It usually boils down to one simple concept: The way things are is different than the way we believe they should be... and if they were different, we'd be happy.
We think we know best how things should be. We believe we don't have any power to change how things are. We believe that the way things are is the cause of our current quality of life.
When we believe we don't have power over our own lives, we often feel afraid. That fear takes many forms....

• fear of patient outcomes
• fear of client reactions
• fear of getting fired
• fear of not making enough money
• fear of paying off our debt
• fear of making mistakes
• fear of negative reviews
• fear of board complaints

You get the idea. Bottom Line: Fear feels terrible. Fear feels life-threatening.
Anger feels much better. It has become the veterinary industry's coping mechanism. Rather than tackle that which we are afraid of, we become angry.
Anger brings a false sense of control and builds a community of sorts with others who share in our anger. We become a profession of very angry people. That anger bleeds into every crevice of our hospitals, and onto our profession as a whole.
We think the solution is for other people to behave differently. We think the solution is for things to be different than they are. Thankfully, that is not the solution. The solution is in learning just a few things...

1. Fear is just an emotion, and its presence isn't a problem
2. Anger is always optional and gives away our power
3. There are very few things we control in this job, and that's okay
4. We can always choose to do our best in any situation
5. What happens next is something we decide for ourselves, always

Vet Med is simply the catalyst for Personal Growth. The time we spend cannibalizing each other in this profession is time we could be spending getting to know ourselves, and growing into the people we are meant to be. Instead, many of us stunt our own growth through anger, blame, and victim mentality. There is no power in that place.
Your future is brighter than that. You dim your own light when you spend your energy focusing on that which you have no power to change. That same energy, focused intention

Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the significant issue of external validation within the veterinary field and provides strategies for overcoming this challenge.

External validation is defined as the need for outside affirmation to confirm one's worth or correctness in actions. The academic environment perpetuates the belief that grades are synonymous with self-worth. Many students enter veterinary programs already grappling with insecurities, and the pressure to excel can create a cycle of anxiety, where temporary relief is experienced upon receiving good grades.

Dr. Wise stresses that veterinary professionals do not have control over patient outcomes or client behaviors. The emotional states of clients influence their actions, and veterinary professionals cannot dictate how clients feel or respond.

The dependence on patient outcomes and client interactions as indicators of success can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction within the profession. Dr. Wise encourages veterinary professionals to understand that their self-worth is not dependent on external factors.

Dr. Wise advocates for a transformative shift in mindset, urging veterinary professionals to concentrate on their responsibilities and efforts rather than seeking external validation. She underscores the importance of recognizing that mistakes and adverse outcomes are inherent to the practice of veterinary medicine. Embracing this fundamental truth can reduce pressure and cultivate a healthier relationship with their work.

Dr. Wise concludes by reminding her audience that perfection is an unattainable goal in veterinary medicine (and life); and that accepting the human experience, including errors, is crucial for both personal and professional development.

Key takeaways include:

1. The education system promotes reliance on external validation, causing anxiety and self-doubt in students.
2. Veterinary professionals measure success through patient outcomes and client satisfaction.
3. Many veterinarians internalize negative outcomes, feeling responsible for patients who do not improve or challenging client interactions.
4. Dr. Wise emphasizes focusing on true responsibilities like exams, histories, recommendations, and treatment plans.
5. Dr. Wise promotes a shift from perfectionism to accepting human imperfection in veterinary practice.
6. Listeners are invited to identify their need for external validation and reclaim their power by acknowledging their intrinsic worth.

Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses burnout among veterinary professionals, highlighting three key indicators: consistently arriving early and staying late, skipping lunch breaks, and disengagement from life outside of work.

She explains that these behaviors stem from misconceptions about productivity and self-care, and they can lead to inefficiency and neglect of personal wellbeing. Dr. Wise advises professionals to critically evaluate their work habits, communicate openly with leadership about scheduling, and prioritize self-care and personal interests.

She emphasizes that these patterns can be unlearned and encourages seeking support, such as through the Vet Life Academy program, to achieve a balanced and fulfilling life.

Key takeaways:

1. Indicators of Burnout:
   1. Arriving Early and Leaving Late: This behavior can lead to inefficiency and is often unsustainable. It may indicate a need to evaluate work habits and communicate with leadership about scheduling and staffing issues.
   2. Skipping Lunch Breaks: Forgoing breaks to catch up on work can perpetuate neglect of self-care. Taking even short breaks can significantly improve energy and focus.
   3. Disengagement from Life Outside Work: Sacrificing hobbies, friendships, and self-care can lead to burnout. Re-engaging with personal interests and relationships is crucial for a fulfilling life.
2. Actionable Strategies:
   1. Evaluate Work Habits: Consider if the extra hours are necessary or if there are underlying issues that need addressing.
   2. Take Breaks: Ensure to take lunch breaks and short breaks to recharge.
   3. Re-engage with Personal Life: Prioritize self-care and personal interests to maintain a balanced life.
3. Support and Resources:
   1. Vet Life Academy Program: This program can help veterinary professionals regain control over their work-life balance.
   2. Mindset and Support: Change is possible with the right mindset and support, leading to a fulfilling life even in a demanding profession.

Resources:

⭐Get The Alternative Career Guide for Veterinary Professionals: Create A Career Tailored to You!

https://joyfuldvm.com/jobguide

⭐Join VetMed;JOY CLUB: Elevate Your Life & Veterinary Career Experience

https://joyfuldvm.com/joyclub

⭐Listen to The Joyful DVM Podcast: Be Inspired by Empowering Perspectives on Navigating Life as A Veterinary Professional

https://joyfuldvm.com/podcast

⭐Join VET LIFE ACADEMY: Transform Your Veterinary Life & Career from the inside out

https://joyfuldvm.com/vetlifeacademy

⭐Learn How to Support Your Organization and Enhance Employee Wellbeing

https://joyfuldvm.com/organizations

Follow me:

Website: https://joyfuldvm.com

Linkedin: https://www

Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

In this episode Dr. Cari Wise shares about the concept of resistance and its impact on our ability to pursue activities that bring us joy and fulfillment.

She defines resistance as the internal pushback we experience when we want to do something but struggle to take action and provides examples, such as wanting to spend more time on a hobby or becoming more physically fit, but finding excuses or lacking motivation to follow through.

Dr. Wise explains that resistance often leads to self-judgment, shame, and frustration; but that resistance is a normal and natural response, particularly when it comes to activities that are not considered productive by societal standards.

She challenges the belief that work and responsibilities should always be prioritized over self-care and hobbies, and encourages listeners to prioritize activities that bring them joy and fulfillment.

She warns that resistance arises when we try to break the habit of not engaging in activities we enjoy, and that our brains are wired to resist change and reminds us that resistance is not a sign of failure or weakness, but rather a natural response to breaking old habits and forming new ones.

Dr. Wise advises listeners to push through resistance and take the first step towards engaging in activities they desire, as even dedicating a few minutes to the desired activity can often overcome resistance, lead to enjoyment, and are essential for achieving balance and alignment in our live.

By taking control of our choices and pushing through resistance, we can improve our overall well-being and quality of life.

Key Takeaways:

1. Resistance is the internal pushback we experience when we want to do something but struggle to take action.
2. Resistance often leads to self-judgment, shame, and frustration.
3. Society tends to prioritize work and responsibilities over hobbies, self-care, and activities that bring us joy.
4. Resistance arises when we try to break the habit of not engaging in activities we enjoy.
5. Resistance is not a sign of failure or weakness, but rather a natural response to breaking old habits and forming new ones.
6. Building new habits takes time and effort, and it is important to be patient and compassionate with ourselves during this process.
7. Pushing through resistance and taking the first step towards engaging in desired activities can often overcome resistance.
8. Prioritizing activities that bring us joy and fulfillment is essential for achieving balance and alignment in our lives.
9. Personal well-being is not solely dependent on careers, and individuals can improve their overall well-being and quality of life by taking control of their choices and pushing through resistance.

Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

I'm wondering... what's the story you tell about your life as a veterinary professional?

What I mean is, what are the first things that come to mind when you think about the work day ahead, or life in general as part of the veterinary profession?

It may seem like a strange question, but the answer is life-altering... literally!

See, we all live our lives through the lens of stories...

Stories about our identities...

Stories about our performance, value and worth...

Stories about our careers...

Stories about past events...

Stories about future possibilities (and impossibilities)...

When those stories are negative then we keep creating and engaging in negative experiences for ourselves.

Unfortunately, "negative" is the hardwired view most of us have of the world. It's a hold-over survival instinct that actually doesn't help us in the modern world, but absolutely does limit positive experiences!

The good news... we are the writers of our own stories!

We can change our stories whenever we want, and learning to do so is a life-altering skill!

In this episode I explain more about the impact our stories have, and specifically dig in to how the stories most of us tell about our VetMed careers limit the wellbeing we experience at work, and in our entires lives... and how to stop this pattern!
https://joyfuldvm.com/joyclub
Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay