You made a mistake, you said the wrong thing, and there’s nothing you can do to change it. Does that make you a bad person? No. Does it mean you’re not a good vet? It doesn’t, but when a mistake robs you of your confidence it can certainly feel that way.
Now vets are not usually the type of people to blow their own trumpet, but having confidence does not mean you have to strut your stuff and flaunt your successes to everyone. But having confidence is a good indicator of if you understand your value as a vet. And the problem is, without a level of confidence, you could be missing out on amazing opportunities for growth, simply because you don’t believe you deserve them.
Confidence can be a fragile thing. It doesn’t help that many vets tend to lean towards perfectionism and striving to always getting things right, because this means that the smallest of things can derail your confidence. Perhaps you had an experience early on in your career where a senior colleague was not very supportive and made you feel like you didn’t know what you were doing? Perhaps a client complained, or you made a clinical mistake. Now, even years after the event you still don’t have great confidence in your abilities. Who cares? You should! Confidence matters because it impacts the decisions you make about your life and your career. It also impacts how you approach your work. If you don’t have confidence in your abilities, stress levels are heightened and you may experience anxiety. You may find that you’re always wondering if you’ve done enough, made the right diagnosis, or recommended the right treatment. And, if a promotion or new position comes available, you don’t even consider it because you don’t have enough confidence in your abilities. My point is - have you considered how a lack of confidence could be holding you back in your career? Knowing your strengths and value Building up your confidence could start with evaluating your strengths and the value you bring to the practice. Think of the aspects of the job that you feel competent in performing on your own or that you enjoy doing. When a colleague asks for your opinion, does your knowledge flow naturally? It’s very possible you’re far more competent than you think, it could just be your confidence that’s a little off kilter. If there’s an area of work that holds a strong interest for you, that’s an excellent place to start. Think of ways in which you could develop your abilities further. Are there people you could work with that will help you hone your skills? Could you step up into a mentoring or coaching role with junior colleagues to share your interests and strengths? Recognising that you have specific strengths or skills is a stepping to stone to building your confidence. It will also highlight the value that you bring to the practice. It’s a good feeling to know that you make a positive contribution. When you and you colleagues can see that value, it will immediately help you to feel more confident in your work role. Reflection and moving forward Reflecting on your career is a good way to pinpoint your skills and abilities. If you’d like some guidance, or just someone to talk through what opportunities might exist, we are offering limited slots for Free Career Management Consultations at the moment. Remember, sometimes other people can see strengths and abilities that you can't! It's worth exploring and could well open up opportunities you never thought existed!
Access our diary and booking form using the link below, and a member of the team will be in touch very soon to confirm if you've qualified for one of the remaining free slots we have left. We hope to be speaking with you really soon!