Accept the Unexpected
Uncertainty is the only certainty there is. — John Allen Paulos.
Who Do You Become When You Are Faced With the Unexpected?
I coached with a veterinarian client this morning who said she becomes a piece of _____when faced with the unexpected! Who do you become? Do you become unconscious, angry, frustrated and difficult? Or are you able to stay calm and clear headed in the face of disruption?
The unexpected can come to you at your hospital when clients cancel or when technicians don’t show up for work or you can’t find our favorite instrument. We get a nasty phone call from a client blaming us for something that was absolutely not our fault. The list goes on and on.
There is a great movie Sully with Tom Hanks in which he plays Captain Chelsey B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, who made the first successful water landing (Hudson River) of a passenger plane holding 155 passengers January 15, 2009. He had 208 seconds to decide what to do and then take action to land his plane whose engines had been destroyed by birds at an altitude of 2000 feet. Despite his heroism, he was verbally attacked and almost mocked at his hearing for perceived incompetence. As I watched him, I wanted to yell and scream at his interrogators; they weren’t being fair or compassionate or acknowledging his bravery and creativity. He on the other hand stayed calm and composed with just the hint of a smile as he answered their questions directly without emotion. I could see in Tom Hanks’ brilliant portrayal those focused alert eyes. He disagreed with computer simulations that showed he had plenty of time to return to LaGuardia Airport. He disagreed with the engineers who said one of his two engines was still functional. He kept his cool. I don’t want to spoil the ending of this great movie. But now whenever I am faced with the unexpected, I see his face before me and CHOOSE to conscious, to be my best self.
When disruption occurs in your veterinary practice
I’ve developed a couple of tools that work for me when disruption occurs. Perhaps you will find them useful.
- Be aware of the disruption…..this is the unexpected. When we get the expected, it’s easy. Life is cake! This is not cake!
- Ignore that impatient voice in my head that wants its way immediately. Relax and breath.
- Stay optimistic; remember past successes meeting the unexpected
- Ask for help. I know this is a really hard one particularly for veterinarians. It is not a sign of weakness but strength.
- Choose to show up as my best self. Stay positive. Why? Because when I don’t, I create more chaos and havoc. The results can take me hours or days to repair. Trust me I know this oh so well and those who know me for a long time know this as well.
- Set a goal for a positive outcome.
Victoria L. Travis, MS is a veterinary recruiter and career and life coach. Her goal is to inspire herself and others to rediscover their greatness and help them live it every day. For more information, please contact her at Victoria@travisandassociates.com or call 720-535-6433.
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