How flexible are you?
I'm not talking about yoga or your physical flexibility.
How flexible are you in terms of examining the results of your behavior and deciding maybe it's time to try something new?
It's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that nothing can or will change. But we can change!
Sherrie Yuschak, RVT, VTS-Behavior
This week, I talked about flexibility with Sherrie Yuschak, a registered veterinary technician and veterinary technical specialist in behavior, who is on the faculty of the Karen Pryor Academy.
Forty percent of our daily activities are based in habit--things we do without thinking. How's that working out for you?
According to a 2010 Gallup study (by Rath & Harter), there are five essential elements for well-being:
- Career well-being
- Social well-being
- Financial well-being
- Physical well-being
- Community well-being
Only 7% of people are flourishing, that is, doing well in all five areas. Sixty-six percent are languishing, doing well in one area. Yikes! That's terrifying. It's definitely time for us to try some new things to find greater satisfaction in all areas of our lives.
Sherrie had lots of thoughts about the benefits and challenges of being flexible in a veterinary clinic or other animal-care workplace where there are so many competing demands on your time, energy, and attention. It takes a bit of courage to try something new and a lot of self-compassion to keep at it when we struggle. There are many benefits to becoming more flexible at work:
- Increased productivity because you see creative solutions others miss
- Reduced stress and a greater sense of control
- Improved communition and responsiveness to others' needs
- Expanded opportunities by embracing change
- Better reputation for problem solving and teamwork
In addition to inspiring flexibility and resilience at work, Sherrie is also fostering those traits in her mule, Daisy, who is gradually learning to shape her world through deliberate choices as well. Daisy thinks it's difficult, but worth it. What do you think?
