Shawn Anchor’s statement, “If you want to enhance others, do not compare them,” was enough to stop and read his premise. Despite the article’s age, his assertions deserve consideration and offer potential value for animal health pros. Our industry is challenged to find and keep good employees. Comparison praise, as Anchor describes it, may be a societal culprit to consider … [Read more...]
The puzzle of personality: who are you, really?
Human personality pioneer in the study of well-being, Brian R. Little, PhD, dissects the surprising differences between introverts and extroverts. He then explains why your personality may be more malleable than you think. You’ll enjoy his TED talk and maybe gain some perspective about yourself, a colleague, friend or client. Source: TED, February 2016. Link. [15:06] We’re … [Read more...]
How to enter flow state (video)
Flow is more than just concentrating or paying attention; it's a unique mental state of effortless engagement. The producers of ths video share ways we can adjust to enter flow more often. They say those who more frequently experience flow report higher levels of positive emotions, creativity, and feelings of accomplishment. Source: TED, July 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
How to make stress your friend (video)
In a world that still demonizes stress, this 2013 TED talk from Kelly McGonigal, PhD, is relevant. She explains that oxytocin is a stress hormone that is as much a part of our stress responses as adrenaline, and when released, it motivates us to seek support. “While stress has been made into a public health enemy, research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you … [Read more...]
Let’s stop calling them soft skills. They’re interpersonal skills. Leadership skills.
American author and former dot com business executive Seth Godin, says organizations pay less attention to soft skills when hiring because we’ve persuaded ourselves that vocational skills are impersonal and easier to measure. He asserts we stop referring to soft skills and use real skills instead. Godin says real skills can’t replace vocational skills but what they can do is … [Read more...]
Bored and brilliant. The lost art of spacing out.
Commentary Even before the pandemic attention deficits, Manoush Zomorodi was challenging us for being distracted by our phones. Her TED talk is worth 16 minutes of an animal health pro’s time. She has included the knowledge, voices and stories from various professionals. Consider watching the video with team … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 10, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from August 3rd AHD Bulletin – Hauser: Client relationships with veterinary team critical to positive practice experiences. Link. Less is more – Patrick Malone. Link. Work-life balance is the wrong goal. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences … [Read more...]
New graduates may have no idea how to behave in the office
Some newer graduates didn’t learn the so-called soft skills they might have in the past by osmosis on the job, from mentors and by practicing on campus. Companies, universities and recruiters are coming up with ways to train new hires, provide advice and help them navigate the workplace. The missing piece for young professionals who have graduated since 2020 has been no real … [Read more...]
Why we owe it to ourselves to spend quiet time alone every day
Invisibly, almost without notice, we are losing ourselves, says physicist and writer Alan Lightman, PhD. He explains the need for a societal, mental attitude that values and protects stillness, privacy, solitude, slowness and personal reflection. This time should honor the inner self and allows each of us to wander about without schedule within our own minds. Source: … [Read more...]
The 7 types of rest every person needs (TED Talk)
Sleep and rest are not the same thing, although many of us incorrectly confuse the two. Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD, shares seven key areas of your life where rest should equal restoration. Source: TED, Idea series, May 2021. Link. Also see: Seven hours of sleep is ideal for most adults, Health, May 9, 2022. Link. Getting too little or too much sleep starting in middle age … [Read more...]
30 is not the new 20
Opinion Graduation season is a time to celebrate endings and new beginnings. Amid the gaiety, clinical psychologist Meg Jay’s message from 2013 could not be more timely or more important for our relationships, families, new employees and our future. As our animal health industry grapples with employee shortages, work-life balance, work ethic perceptions, aging … [Read more...]
The strongest predictor for success. Grit?
Opinion As new graduating classes of DVMs and veterinary nurses arrive in the market next month, identifying those candidates with grit and the growth mindset may be beneficial when evaluating new hires. An AHD subscriber recently shared a TED talk featuring Angela L. Duckworth, PhD, MA, MSc, in the context of the great resignation. Duckworth focuses on what it takes to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 24, 2022
Last week’s most read post Preconditioning starts when the calf hits the ground. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Link. =================================== Click here for a free 7-day trial --> Link #TalkatooTerry Your dog can go vegan – but cats are natural born killers Source: The Guardian, … [Read more...]
How craving attention makes you less creative
This TED talk is good for introspection and consideration. Trying to gain followers and likes only to be left feeling inadequate and less creative can be addictive. In his candid TED talk, Joseph Gordon-Levitt explores how the attention-driven model of big tech companies affects our creativity. . . . <there is> a more powerful feeling than getting attention. . . it’s … [Read more...]
Talks for when you feel like no one appreciates you
TED shares a playlist for those times when you feel underappreciated or unrecognized. Source: TED. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 24, 2022
Last week’s most read post Customers speak with their wallets; beef producers can’t ignore the results. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, February 17, 2022. Link. =========================== UK’s veterinary workforce crisis deepens; registrants drop by over two-thirds Source: British Veterinary Association, … [Read more...]
Grit: the power of passion and perseverance (includes video)
We know very little about developing grit, says Angela Lee Duckworth. “What if your ability to do well in school and life depends on much more than your ability to learn easily and quickly?” she asked. “IQ was not the only difference between my best and worst students.” In all those different contexts, one characteristic emerged as significant predictor of success: It was … [Read more...]