It is very difficult to achieve anything without a goal, some sort of plan to make it a reality. Very often our ambitions stay in the dream phase as we are either afraid of failure or even more afraid of what will happen if you succeed. How will your life change if the things you want to do actually work out? Sometimes living in the status quo is comfortable, it is easy, and it will not make anyone else uncomfortable – so we keep things the way they are.
When it comes to CPD – it can help you hone skills and use them in your practice, but CPD is also most effective if you have an idea of where you want to be, what you want to achieve and how it can help you be the best veterinarian/veterinary nurse you want to be. You may also find that it helps you find job satisfaction and fulfilment.
Status quo bias
Have you heard of status quo bias? Status quo bias holds that unless the incentive to change is compelling, our tendency is not to change. We are comfortable where we are – and it is thus important to find your compelling incentive to change. Have you considered what your life would be if you make the changes you have been putting off?
If goals give direction and systems deliver results – what systems are you putting in place to ensure that you achieve your goals? Do you have someone to keep you accountable?
Setting the direction for your goals
The best way to ensure that goals are met is to have dates associated with them, write down prospective benefits and downsides of achieving the goal, determine what the potential obstacles are and what your solutions to each of these obstacles. Then write down your action steps and what the target date is associated with each of the steps. Goals play a role in how hard people work, what people will pay attention to and how many hours you are willing to work.
Setting goals that are difficult, achievable and specific and that has your commitment is one of the best motivators and acts as a way to enhance performance. If you can get feedback that indicates progress towards the goal, you are more likely to continue in your pursuit. Just remember that unethical behaviour can arise if you set setting unrealistic goals for your team members. People can feel that they have no other choice but to act unethically as they face the pressure to work with fewer resources and delivery faster and better results can drive them beyond what they believe they are capable of in an ethical manner if they have pressure to perform. So, help your colleagues and friends set healthy and attainable goals and make sure that everything at the workplace is in place to help them achieve their goals.
Professional Development
When it comes to achieving your CPD goals – just start – procrastination will not bring you anywhere near achieving your goals. Be specific, reach a little bit – make it achievable, but not easy enough that you stagnate. Push yourself, find things that make you excited and work every day towards achieving that. Find courses that interest you, ask your practice if you can get opportunities to implement the things you learn from your CPD courses and work out with your employer how it will add value to you and the practice you work at.
Whatever your goals are this year, be it personal or professional – set the systems in place to deliver your desired results. Work at it tirelessly but take small steps. Share your goals with your closest friends, family and collogues and ask them to help keep you accountable. Remember to set time frames for when you will revisit your goals and maybe make required adjustments.
What are your goals for 2021? Any CPD goals that you would like to achieve?
