Monday, April 4th, 2011
Today is my first day at my desk in a little more than three weeks! The middle of March kicked into high gear with a visit to Fort Lauderdale to consult with a group of four practices. Upon my return, a key member of my management team was out with major surgery, shifting some additional duties to my plate. Then my local managers’ group, the Veterinary Management Association of Indiana hosted our first quarterly workshop of 2011 with national speaker and consultant Bash Halow, CVPM of Halow Consulting as our keynote speaker. As one of the organizers, I was busy whisking Bash around Indianapolis for his whirlwind 22-hour tour of Midwest hospitality! Then, I found myself off to San Francisco, immediately followed by the a trip to the windy city for the VHMA Legal Symposium. I made it home promptly at midnight last night….whew!!
At some point during the Legal Symposium, someone asked me how I was doing “it all”. They either knew my consulting and speaking engagements have increased dramatically in the past year…or must have noticed my severe case of jet lag, which usually results in “diminished capacity”. How did I cope with the last three weeks? That little trip to San Francisco in the middle of it all was a much-needed vacation! It may have been flanked with constant “go-go-go”, but carving out time for myself is crucial to keeping myself recharged and firing on all cylinders.
Most veterinary practice managers and administrators I know are, in a word: “workaholics”. I count myself in that category, despite the fact I’d rather not wear this stereotypical hat. Leaders in practices, and in the profession tend to blaze new trails….but, at what cost? Are you taking care to prevent flaming out altogether?
I learned long ago that vacations aren’t necessarily the answer….and we certainly can’t WAIT for that vacation that may be months away before finding a way to re-energize. I lean heavily on reading, going to movies (check out GetGlue for a social media spin on your leisure time), and finding time to create art when time allows. Even in small doses, taking time for yourself is crucial—not only for yourself, but also for those who depend on you every day! By finding ways to care for yourself on a personal level, you will maintain the energy, drive and thinking power you need to blaze those trails in the veterinary profession. What’s your favorite refueling tool?
Tags: burn out, driven leaders, re-energize, recharge, too much, vacation, workaholic
April 6th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Wow, that does sound like a busy 3 weeks! I’ve never heard you speak before (or met you, for that matter), but hope to someday!
For the sake of my own curiosity, have you taken speaker training classes?
April 7th, 2011 at 6:33 am
The only “formal” speaker training I have undergone would be two separate facilitator certification programs with True Colors International. Personally, I believe the BEST preparation for public speaking has been my staff! Planning & leading weekly staff meetings and workshops go a long way in preparing you for larger groups of people. I’ve never “enjoyed” public speaking, but made it a personal goal to overcome my fears several years ago. The more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes:)