16.30 on a Friday afternoon and you’re starting to wind down when…
16.30 on a Friday afternoon and you’re starting to wind down when…
… the last appointment on your calendar which said “not himself” turns out to be a blocked bladder cat🙀.
If you’ve been in vet med for a few years I BET this or a similar case has happened to you.
We cannot stop this from happening.
We cannot guarantee that all the cases on a Friday afternoon are going to be easy peasy lemon squeezy 🍋.
So now what 🤷🏻♀️?
Here are some of the thoughts that are likely to go through your head:
About the pet owners:
-They shouldn’t have waited till now. -They are irresponsible pet owners. -They shouldn’t have been given this late appointment -How did they not know how serious this is?
About you:
-I’ll be late for dinner - what about my family life, relationship… -I’ll be more tired tomorrow, this is going to spoil my weekend.- I’ll HAVE to stay now, see it and treat it, it’s going to take forever…- It’s unfair this is happening on my shift. - If I don’t see it and send it to our OOH provider they are going to judge me…
-Maybe I shouldn’t continue in this career…
These thoughts are going to make you feel AWFUL🤯!! Most likely you’ll feel:
☑️Frustrated
☑️Defeated
☑️Anxious
☑️Tired
☑️Resentment
When we feel like this, it’s hard to make good, fast, conscious decisions; we just keep ruminating over the same thoughts and making up scenarios in our head.
Our brains just do this on REPEAT, and we’re not even aware of it! 🙄
WE think it’s the people turning up with the cat that are making us feel that way.
But it’s the THOUGHTS we’re thinking that are creating these feelings.
They may all well be TRUE.
But are they HELPFUL?
On a Friday afternoon, you don’t need all the catastrophe scenarios in your head, on top of what’s actually going on. They will slow your down, and distort your perception of the reality.
Learn to be AWARE of your thinking, and you’ll improve your Fridays, no matter WHAT comes through the door.
In vet med we are landed with a LOT of situations that are not “ideal”.We want to be able to make fast decisions, even when there isn’t a perfect one, stand by it, and execute. Without all the drama, judging other people and beating ourselves up.Can you relate?
In your corner,
Ready to fall back in love with Vet Med?
If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or doubting yourself — I get it. I've been there. Here's how I can help:
- Book a Free 50-Minute Coaching Session — Let's chat about where you are and where you want to be. Book here
- Download the Free Burnout Guide — 10 ways to overcome burnout in the veterinary clinic. Get it here
- Explore the Happy in Vet Med Programme — Beat burnout and imposter syndrome. Learn more
You don't have to do this alone.