BVSC

BVSC

Work Life Integration & Compassion Fatigue Workshop

The workbook pdf for download: BVSC_8_12_15 Compassion Fatigue Workshop

The ability to cope and manage stress is a critical skill for your career.

Expectations from clients has increased.  There seems to be more pressure.  We are trying to do more every day.  We lead very busy lives.

I am speaking to more veterinarians every day who are beginning to struggle and suffer from compassion fatigue and burnout.  This isn’t just new or recent graduates who do find the first few years of practice stressful.  It is the veterinarians who are reaching the peak of their career or beyond.  They are talented, committed and highly experienced and usually with a Masters or Membership.  They are exhausted, disengaged, frustrated and disillusioned with clients, their income and practice.

We promote preventative health for our patients yet we are reactive rather than proactive with our own health.  My aim is for this to change.  Otherwise we will lose our best and brightest who are the future leaders of the profession.

In coping with stress, you must pay attention to three areas:

  1. Determine what DEPLETES you:  either do less of this but if that isn’t possible, improve your skills so that it doesn’t deplete you
  2. Find activities that REPLENISH you: do them on a consistent basis, either daily or weekly.
  3. STRENGTHEN you:  build coping and resilience skills so when you experience times of high stress or adversity, you have reserves and are able to cope better.

Why should you be concerned about stress?  Because chronic stress contributes to compassion fatigue and burnout.

START HERE:

1. Self awareness is a critical skill.  Your strengths and weaknesses.  Areas that accelerate your success and areas that limit it.  First you need to be open to becoming self aware.  Watch the great video by Gary Vaynerchuk on Self Awareness: Click here

2. Coping With Stress:  In May, I spoke to the Gold Coast Vets about coping with stress.  The next morning I recorded the slides, as what I discussed needed to be made available to all team members.

Watch the presentation to determine what depletes you, what you need to do to replenish and strengthen you.

Pay attention to the PERMA exercise towards the end.  If you are able to experience these 5 elements consistently, it will lead to flourishing.  

 

Veterinarians who focus on their clinical and professional skills without paying attention to the other 4 areas limit their career success.

3.  In November, I spoke at the Brisbane Veterinary Practitioners Conference on Prevention of Burnout and Compassion Fatigue. Here is a copy of the notes:

Wilks, Natasha_BVP2015_Burnout & Compassion Fatigue: How to Protect Yourself

4. Book & Website Recommendations

Below is a selection of resources.  I personally have all of these books and have recommended them as I found them fantastic!  That doesn’t mean you have to go and buy all of them.  However, if you are looking to investigate an area further, start with one of the books below.

Your Meaning and Purpose: Simon Sinek: Start with Why
       A 1 min intro video about your purpose: https://youtu.be/Tji0lUIG0eg
       A longer video about loving your work: https://youtu.be/jDIZS4IQlQk

Work Life Integration:  Stewart D. Friedman: Leading the Life You Want: Skills for Integrating Work and Life

Wellness & Positive Psychology

Stress Management

Compassion Fatigue

Mindfulness Training: http://www.mindbodymastery.net  It costs $10/month.  I have personally found it great.

If you have any questions, please contact me on 0434 836 178 or by email: natasha@highperformancevets.com

Dr Natasha Wilks BVSc DipCoaching

Keep in touch & connect with me on social media via the buttons below! I love hearing how you apply what you have learned in your life and the difference it has made.