We are heading into our busiest ever month at The Vet Project and I am so excited that I barely know what to do with myself! Luckily my work and my passion align perfectly these days (and I know how lucky I am in that regard) but there’s a tendency to throw myself so completely into work that it’s not always sustainable. I’m so driven and excited by it all that I can often forget to do the basic things, like drink water, take breaks and look outside to see that the sun is actually shining!
So, what’s the secret to being driven and passionate and channelling all of that energy into helping people, without losing myself, ignoring my family and ending up with burnout?
This is the question I’ve been asking myself for a long time.
I am very driven and I love this part of my ADHD wiring! It’s got me my veterinary degree, amongst other things but it has taken me to darker places too. So, this Spring I’m looking to manage my drive in a sustainable way.
I’ve alluded to it already but the first thing really is to take care of the basics. I finally understand that taking breaks isn’t only going to make me feel better, it will make me more productive. And since I value being productive, that’s a great motivator for me! (Side note: I feel sooooo much better when I take breaks too, but that alone doesn’t seem to motivate me to do it!)
For me it’s all in the planning. Planning, as a person with executive function difficulties (because of my ADHD) can be challenging, but it also reduces my decision making and helps my day go so much smoother! If I have a numbered to-do list so I don’t have to decide which order to do it in, I will do the tasks in half the time (that’s a little ADHD coaching tip for you…you’re welcome)!
So, step one is to plan your day. Plan your breaks (and actually take them) plan your water intake (and actually drink it) plan anything that you possibly can, and it’s so much more likely to happen.
Step two is to follow your plan, and step three is to notice how you feel. Has it helped? Maybe it hasn’t, in which case, try something different. Tweak it a little, or a lot.
I’m a realist, I know you’re not going to plan every day and always take proper breaks and drink enough water, but maybe you can make it a little habit to check in with yourself every morning. How are you doing? Are you thirsty or hungry? Chilled or overwhelmed? Sluggish or rapid? You don’t have to try and change or bury how you’re feeling, the opposite actually, just notice. And when you’ve noticed you can think about what you need. If you’re thirsty, grab a drink. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, a properly planned day with breaks might be just what you need to take that overwhelm down a couple of notches.
When we have ADHD, drive can often lead to overwhelm but if we can pause and notice that creeping up on us, and have little strategies to keep us steady, we might find that we can sprint for a while without tripping up!
To figure out what strategies work for you, at The Vet Project we offer ADHD and autism coaching. You can find more information and sign up on our website at www.thevetproject.co.uk/coaching We also run Anxiety Toolbox Workshops and Neurodiversity for Veterinary Leaders CPD days. We’d love to see you there! You can book on our website at www.thevetproject.co.uk/workshopsandcourses
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