Have you ever suffered a big loss?

Maybe it was the loss of a job, a relationship or the loss of a loved one. In the wake of major losses, we first feel unable to find happiness, and then with time, we may trip over something that makes us laugh or feel light-hearted. In that moment, guilt may crop up – a feeling that, because of the loss we’re not supposed to feel happy.

Tell the guilt to take a hike – sadness isn’t meant to be our lot in life.

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Are you feeling insignificant?

Many people feel like what they do and who they are doesn’t matter, and that they’re not making a difference in this world.

As humans, we take our strengths for granted because they come easily to us. We assume that others are at least as good, and probably better than we are at the things we do well. You are one of a kind and your talents and skills are unique and valuable. The world is a better place because you’re here, and will continue to get better because of your talents, humor and heart.

Thank you!

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What you do is hard.

Your patients can’t give you feedback in your language, only in theirs. Your clients may not be great observers or reporters of what’s going on. Test results may or may not give you the entire picture.

You take all of the information you can gather, including observations on physical exam, and come to a conclusion, complete with treatment plan.

Once you’ve done that, you have done the BEST you could do with the information you had at hand. Don’t second-guess yourself or obsess over whether you should have done something different. You did the best you could do with the information you had and that’s all anyone can do. And it’s way more than most people could do for that patient – you’re the hero of this story, not the villain or an imposter.

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Your power is now. Only now.

It doesn’t matter what wonderful or awful things are in your past and it doesn’t matter what fabulousness is in your future – you have no power in the past or in the future.

Your only power is right now.

What action will you take? What thought will you think? What decision will you make?

You can’t do any of those things yesterday or tomorrow – everything is right now, and right now is where your power is. And you are so powerful!

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How do you feel when someone doesn’t like you?

Do you try to help them understand who you really are? Do you do things to try to curry favor or help them see what a good person you are?

Just like you weren’t put on this earth to like every other person on the planet, sometimes people just aren’t going to like you. It’s part of the human experience and it has nothing to do with you.

A really powerful phrase to remember is “what other people think of me is none of my business.” Focus on those who value you, not those who can’t see who you are.

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If you’re not the owner of the hospital, perhaps you feel a bit of pressure to sell things like special shampoos, over-the-counter supplements, dog food and whatever else your hospital offers. Remember – you are NOT the salesperson.

You are the doctor of veterinary medicine and as such, you understand the importance of proper nutrition, support from specific supplements and how using the right shampoo can literally change a pet’s life.

Be comfortable recommending the products and services your patients need – when you see yourself as advocating for your patients, that uncomfortable sales-y feeling goes away.

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Are you a confident person? Just what is confidence, anyway?

Confidence is a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something, according to Merriam-Webster.

Confidence tends to grow with age, because we gain more perspective about whether we can do something well and about whether it’s even ours to fix or not! When you trust your ability to learn new things, you gain confidence. When you practice something, you gain confidence.

Being confident doesn’t mean walking around with your chest stuck out, feeling better than others. Being confident means you are the quiet master of your day, no matter what it throws at you.

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Do you feel inadequate when you don’t know the answer to a question?

Many people, especially people who aim to be high achievers, hold themselves to impossible standards and then beat themselves up when they fall short of those impossible standards.

Did I mention that the standards are impossible?

It’s not possible to know the answer to every single question – what is possible and admirable and sets a great example for everyone who sees you do it is to say something like, “I’m not sure – let’s look it up together and then we’ll both know!”

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You’re smart. You got into vet school, got through vet school, passed your state exam and now you’re practicing medicine on your furry, feathered, finny or whatever-outer-coating patients in your hospital.

The continuing education requirement is something you have to stay focused on so you don’t have to cram two years of CE requirements into a two-week period just to stay licensed.

All of your schooling taught you how to learn – the most successful veterinarians continue to focus on learning all the time, not just at license renewal time.

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Have you ever heard the phrase “it takes two to tango?” Well, it takes two to argue, as well.

When you find yourself having to deal with an angry client, give them plenty of time to vent. Let them pour out their irritation until they have nothing else to say. When they’re quiet, maybe even take a breath before you start to reply. Then speak in a quiet, even, as-gentle-as-you-can-manage tone of voice.

Even if they’re the biggest south end of a northbound mule, respond the way YOU want to behave, not the way they want or expect you to behave.

It takes two people to argue – when you chose not to be one of them, then an argument can’t happen.

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