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Are you thinking about re-jigging your career?

Written by: Silvia Janska
Published on: 1 Oct 2024
Category:

compass

Image © Sanchai/ Adobe Stock

Know your energy source. What is this for me? Well, besides the sun and hot weather (which I do not get in Dublin)…

It was the first time I took a bone marrow biopsy from a horse’s sternum. The excitement when describing the idea behind Flexee for the first time to a fellow vet entrepreneur. The moment when I was offered to join the SPVS board. Being on the edge between excitement and nervousness. That edge, that tipping point, is what energises me.

Now, imagine having a number of these tipping points in your life simultaneously. This makes me spring out of bed in the morning and think that living is better than dreaming.

I have always had a portfolio career. We all have different energy sources; the important thing is to know what they are.

Asking questions

Asking questions teaches us about people. Turning those questions inwards teaches us about ourselves, and the deeper connections forged here can point the way. Here are the two questions I have found most powerful in setting my compass in life: what energises me right now? And, what drains me?

I ask myself these questions every time I am about to get involved in something new, whether it is a volunteer role, a new job, a side project – work or life.

What energises me? What does this mean? It’s not an uncommon interview question now, so it is worth reflecting on this and having your own answer. What do I enjoy and what motivates me in life and work? It is an extrapolation of your values and what you believe your purpose is. Where is the joy in your work and when are you most productive?

Two key activities bring me energy:

1. Starting things

This may have been noticed from my previous examples. I think it is true to say most people are either starters or finishers. Do you like the creative inception of an idea or a project or a connection, also known as the “starting”, or more the routine and consistent day-to-day of getting things done – the “finishing”?

I’m a starter. I’m energised by the new, the possible and the potential. I like change, I thrive on it and I seek it out. Being a starter is not just words and ideas, though. It is about actions, results and impact. I like to make things happen, but the detailed day-to-day tasks are not my happiest of places. When I first have an idea, I often ask, “why not?” I tend to think of the risk of not doing something as much as the risk of doing it and this means I can get going with a project quickly and with energy.

Thinking retrospectively helps. I realised that I have always been like this. It was evident from early in my work life, from my first day at the RVC, in fact.

When I started my first degree, I saw a need for our lectures to be digitally recorded and available, but no system was in place for this. I contacted the head of the e-media department. I volunteered to manually record all lectures in my year, edit them, and upload them on to our intranet. This was not as easy as I envisioned it.

Initially, lecturers were very resistant to being recorded and their lectures made public internally. It also took an unforeseen amount of time to edit. Nonetheless, with time and after proving the concept, we were able to purchase and incorporate a technical solution, and promote this to the staff and my fellow students.

I did not realise it at the time, but in hindsight, it was such a great project to have been involved in, and I was proud to have succeeded in improving the learning experience for the students in my year and the years to come.

  • I consistently find myself taking an innovative view instead of being conventional.
  • I look to the future, and I look for opportunities and growth.
  • I look at the bigger picture and I wonder what might be the next best change to improve a given challenge.

This makes me a starter. And to ensure things get finished, I often combine forces with a “finisher” and set limited time periods in which to get things done.

2. Networking and connecting

This is my second energy-gaining activity. Everyone who knows me knows I am an extrovert, and I absolutely love networking and meeting new people.

Most people have heard about LinkedIn, and this professional social media platform is my go-to digital connector for all things work and career development. There, I find people whose career paths I find interesting and inspiring, and I send them a short note to say just that. I talk about what captured my attention and ask for a 10-minute virtual meet-up, and amazingly, so many reply and offer to chat with me. Of course, I always offer to help in return in any way I can, and I try to give more than I take (think about the time, skills or expertise you can offer in return when reaching out to others).

Networking magic

Next, there is the obvious spot for networking: conferences. Yes, the CPD is valuable, but for networking, the gold is in the teatime and the cocktails at the end of the day.

This is where I meet new people, build relationships and trust and make friends. This is a perfect opportunity for others in your profession to get to know you.

Often, the interview is just a formality at the end of a “getting to know you” process, which we do not often realise. Take all the opportunities to show up as someone people want to work with.

Top tip

My final tip for networking is this: follow what you are interested in, and you will find social opportunities there among others with the same interests. By connecting through mutual interests, you will find people who are already connected and motivated by the same issues.

This is how I became involved with SPVS and got to meet, and eventually work, with the amazing people there. I had known about SPVS ever since I was a student because I liked to use its resources. I never thought I would get involved in an association like SPVS because I just wanted to be a vet and do clinical work.

Later, however, I became frustrated when I saw how many vets and nurses were leaving clinical practice due to limited autonomy around their working hours, and SPVS was the non-clinical association, and so I looked for answers there. At that time, I only knew one board member at SPVS, and I did not know them that well, but they suggested that I apply for a position on the board; so I did, and I got it.

Now, I get to work with the board on the issues and concerns I and others have for the profession. Simultaneously, I’m also able to build and continually expand a huge network of interesting contacts.

Asking these reflective questions can form part of an iterative process; each time of asking allows you to view whether these answers are changing. Are the energy sources shifting? Is it time for something new? Where is your compass pointing?

A quote for your day: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” – Jim Rohn.