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For full article:
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dv...Article/detail/525896?contextCategoryId=46639
#1: Set boundaries for yourself.
In years past, 60-hour and 70-hour weeks seemed like the norm for many of us, but thats not realistic anymore, Elkins says. Decide in advance how much time youre willing to devote to practice whether its 35 or 40 hours a week, four days a week,maybe you want weekends off,have a flex-time plan,whatever it may be and stick to it.Your career is a marathon, so dont start running a sprint early on or youll burn out.
#2: Learn to say No.
While it may be harder for young people who are just getting started and trying to build a certain image to step up and say, No, I cant do this today, they must make No a part of their vocabulary from the start and not feel guilty about it. They must know where the limits are in their personal and professional lives. Otherwise they cant set boundaries, and some may take advantage of them.
#3: Set aside time each day for yourself.
As caregivers,we give much of ourselves to others, so we need time to replenish. Give yourself an hour or so each day for a physical and/or mental break. Take a walk. Close your door and listen to music or read a book. Its necessary to decompress and unwind between your office and home life.
#4: Realize each day that you make the choice to be happy.
No one can make us feel sad or depressed. We must take ownership of what happens to us, whether its a good day, bad day or so-called normal day and deal with it, Elkins says. Its possible to turn a normal day into an extraordinary one just by the way we respond to things, including adversity.
#5: Money does not equate with happiness.
Most of us dont enter this profession for the money. Today (student) debt load is a big factor, so we may have to accept the fact that we probably wont get rich. But even lottery winners often arent happy one year later. Our happiness lies in focusing on the reasons we became veterinarians.
#6: Never stop learning.
Today theres such a rapid turnover of information that your education can almost become antiquated in a year. Learn something new every day, from every case. Regularly read professional journals and articles, take continuing-education courses, anything you can to stay mentally alert. Otherwise you may find the world is passing you by.
#7: Select an area of interest and expand your knowledge, allowing you to accept referrals.
Not everyone can be a specialist, but if you choose one particular area of interest to you and spend only an hour each day on that subject for a year, concentrating on it, reading and taking some CE courses, you can become a quasi-expert. Then, even inside a large practice, youll be the go-to person and can tell people, Im not a specialist, but Ive handled a lot of cases like this, and I have the equipment.Youve then built yourself a nice professional niche.
#8: Realize that being a veterinarian is what you do for a living.
Thats it. Keep telling yourself that this is simply your means of livelihood, that youre a person with interests and roles outside the profession whether it be parent, teacher, hobbyist, sportsman, whatever and youll be that same person long afterward. Those who let the profession define who they are often have a hard time adjusting to life after retirement.
#9: Daily physical exercise is paramount to stress relief.
Its often been shown that exercise is one of the best outlets for stress.Were of less benefit to our family and colleagues if we neglect it.Make some form of daily exercise whether the competitive kind like playing tennis, or solo activity like jogging or swimming part of your daily regimen.
#10: Keep your sense of humor.
I mention this last, but its probably one of the most important, Elkins says. Be serious about things, but also try to step back from every situation and keep it light. Enjoy people. Look for the humor, learn to laugh at yourself, your mistakes. That kind of spirit will spread throughout the whole office team, and a happier team is a more efficient one.
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dv...Article/detail/525896?contextCategoryId=46639
#1: Set boundaries for yourself.
In years past, 60-hour and 70-hour weeks seemed like the norm for many of us, but thats not realistic anymore, Elkins says. Decide in advance how much time youre willing to devote to practice whether its 35 or 40 hours a week, four days a week,maybe you want weekends off,have a flex-time plan,whatever it may be and stick to it.Your career is a marathon, so dont start running a sprint early on or youll burn out.
#2: Learn to say No.
While it may be harder for young people who are just getting started and trying to build a certain image to step up and say, No, I cant do this today, they must make No a part of their vocabulary from the start and not feel guilty about it. They must know where the limits are in their personal and professional lives. Otherwise they cant set boundaries, and some may take advantage of them.
#3: Set aside time each day for yourself.
As caregivers,we give much of ourselves to others, so we need time to replenish. Give yourself an hour or so each day for a physical and/or mental break. Take a walk. Close your door and listen to music or read a book. Its necessary to decompress and unwind between your office and home life.
#4: Realize each day that you make the choice to be happy.
No one can make us feel sad or depressed. We must take ownership of what happens to us, whether its a good day, bad day or so-called normal day and deal with it, Elkins says. Its possible to turn a normal day into an extraordinary one just by the way we respond to things, including adversity.
#5: Money does not equate with happiness.
Most of us dont enter this profession for the money. Today (student) debt load is a big factor, so we may have to accept the fact that we probably wont get rich. But even lottery winners often arent happy one year later. Our happiness lies in focusing on the reasons we became veterinarians.
#6: Never stop learning.
Today theres such a rapid turnover of information that your education can almost become antiquated in a year. Learn something new every day, from every case. Regularly read professional journals and articles, take continuing-education courses, anything you can to stay mentally alert. Otherwise you may find the world is passing you by.
#7: Select an area of interest and expand your knowledge, allowing you to accept referrals.
Not everyone can be a specialist, but if you choose one particular area of interest to you and spend only an hour each day on that subject for a year, concentrating on it, reading and taking some CE courses, you can become a quasi-expert. Then, even inside a large practice, youll be the go-to person and can tell people, Im not a specialist, but Ive handled a lot of cases like this, and I have the equipment.Youve then built yourself a nice professional niche.
#8: Realize that being a veterinarian is what you do for a living.
Thats it. Keep telling yourself that this is simply your means of livelihood, that youre a person with interests and roles outside the profession whether it be parent, teacher, hobbyist, sportsman, whatever and youll be that same person long afterward. Those who let the profession define who they are often have a hard time adjusting to life after retirement.
#9: Daily physical exercise is paramount to stress relief.
Its often been shown that exercise is one of the best outlets for stress.Were of less benefit to our family and colleagues if we neglect it.Make some form of daily exercise whether the competitive kind like playing tennis, or solo activity like jogging or swimming part of your daily regimen.
#10: Keep your sense of humor.
I mention this last, but its probably one of the most important, Elkins says. Be serious about things, but also try to step back from every situation and keep it light. Enjoy people. Look for the humor, learn to laugh at yourself, your mistakes. That kind of spirit will spread throughout the whole office team, and a happier team is a more efficient one.
