Mentorship Magic in 2024-It Can Change Your Life

Mentorship Magic in 2024

It Can Change Your Life

Preventing Burn-Out 

Finding Your Career Coach

DH DeForge, VMD

DonDeForge100@gmail.com

Young veterinarians leave medical school ready to develop their careers.  They are excited; full of passion; and feel they can conquer the world. For some, happiness soon turns to despair. What causes this drastic turn about in their lives?

The new doctor ponders, "Is this the vocation that I really want to follow for the next thirty years?"  Self doubt becomes a part of every wakening and leads to sleepless nights of pain and anxiety.

The Problem:

What has happened in those few months is repeated over and over. It has been coined Groundhog Syndrome. This term originates from the famous Bill Murray movie-Groundhog Day first released in 1993.  Some feel the movie exemplifies a purgatory concept where the body and soul is lost and lingers until expiated from past actions and reaches a realization of what happiness means. Many believe the message of the movie centers on the the challenges of living in our modern society and the experiences we face as humans when we are isolated, afraid, and lost.

It is so easy for young veterinarians to become isolated, afraid, and lost when facing the challenges of clinical medicine in 2024.

Post-pandemic, many pet owners have become impatient; anxious; and intolerant.  Even though these problems have been present from the history of modern veterinary medicine, they have been magnified ten times since the world faced COVID-19.

But there are so many other ills that confront the new practitioner.  Being in a practice without guidance from senior veterinarians, administrators, and nursing staff is a major problem.

There is just no on-going direction support, and advice.  There is no one to speak to about the conflict of personal versus professional life.

This leads to being overwhelmed at work; confusion about task resolution; and feeling totally inadequate to perform even a minor surgery.

Many postulates concerning the importance of mentorship for a new doctor have come to the forefront in the last decade.  A mentor can help a young graduate through the emotionally challenging effects of their new professional life. 

One such condition that a mentor can be of assistance with is termed the Imposter Syndrome-the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.

The Imposter Syndrome can be a major part of their struggle. The mentor can help the graduate understand how challenging the Imposter Syndrome can be and provide insight into letting the new doctor know they are not alone!

Recently, the Imposter Syndrome [Phenomenon] has been identified as a possible root marker in burnout in the medical field. The mentor can show the doctor how not to be negative if they have been or are a hostage of the Imposter Syndrome! Identification of this connection can change their lives! 

If a young doctor lives with anxiety and self-doubt, they are at risk for developing the Imposter Syndrome. In fact, people who live with Imposter Syndrome may have had feelings of pervasive self-doubt going back as far as they can remember.  85-95%% of medical students and new graduates live with a fear of self doubt that continues throughout medical school; internships; and residency.  It usually continues into their careers in the medical field. They feel they are imposters!  

The largest problem is the feeling of absolute loneliness leading to despair.  Social drinking after work can become the norm leading to reliance on alcohol and social drugs to go to sleep at night and to begin the next day.  Burn out and depression can soon follow.  In many instances, help is not sought out because there is the inability to admit there is a problem.

The resolution and reversal is centered around finding help.  Some individuals are quite open to seeking help.  Others cannot admit they have a problem.  To them, to admit they need help is a sign of weakness. Self destruction continues until they find their guide; their confidant; their mentor.

There are many excuses that prevent a mentor from entering the life of an individual whose life is spinning out of control.  The most common is the "friend" excuse.

The argument circles around "having friends" that absolutely negates the need for a mentor. The friends in this case are party friends.  The "party friend's" way to to solve problems at work and in life is to party and avoid facing the problems.

The one common denominator that can nullify a friend in becoming a true mentor is their absence from the type of journey you are undergoing.  Many of these friends are suffering from the same anxiety and sadness as yourself. These individuals need help as much as yourself, the future mentee.

Friends in general cannot be discarded as mentors.  They must be mature; friendship tested; and strong in their own personal journey before mentoring others.  Most importantly, they must have time to devote to mentoring. 

Your new mentor is on their own journey and have found peace and happiness.  You need a mentor who has taken the walk in veterinary medicine or their selected profession; faced the struggles; and have won their battles.  Their experience is unique.  

This does not mean you must mimic your mentor's journey but you should appreciate the difficulties they have challenged and the ways they found to make the challenges vehicles of inner strength.

The mentor will explain that you are not alone and encourage you to stand up and begin the fight to become a stronger person.

The Resolution:

Seeking a mentor while in veterinary school is an excellent idea and can be continued after graduation with the same mentor.  Maybe a new mentor can be found as the graduate begins their professional journey.

The mentor will show the newly graduated health care professional how to develop skills and expertise without stress and most importantly look forward to each and every day on the job.  

Remember that mentors are not reserved only for new graduates.  Some individuals and their mentors are part of their entire life journey. You are never to old to find a mentor.

The mentor is a positive force and helps to remove negativity and anxiety!

YOUR mentor can provide advice and real-life experience that can help you develop your clinical skills and improve patient care.  You will learn to become an avid listener and not become overwhelmed by negative clients or experiences in life.  

Many clients can be ruthless and will enjoy demeaning you in person; emails; texts; or writing negative reviews on social review boards.  Peers at work can be jealous of your work ethic and make your work day miserable.

This can make your world spin and even make you feel that you do not want to show up the next day for your clinical or surgical rounds.

Seeing or hearing about how your mentor has responded to different scenarios in their life can increase your knowledge and inform and change your personal decision-making process.

Your mentor can allow you to navigate the complexities of the medical profession and identify opportunities for your growth and advancement. 

The mentor-coach may pick up on your inability to face the fact that your negative feelings are centered around not being able to admit that you really want to continue your growth and may even want to work toward specially boards.  They can identify the excuses you are making not allowing you to reach your dream job. This can lead to a very positive turn about in your personal and professional life. 

A superior mentor can introduce you to veterinarians in your field that have walked the walk. Networking or contact development can be unbelievably important in your career. A great mentor will show you the importance of networking at every professional meeting; on the internet; and within your community.

Building a strong network of contacts can be more beneficial than can be imagined.  One contact who believes in you can revitalize your life.

Many mentees do not understand that lack of self-confidence can be their major stumbling block. Remember, as a young doctor living with anxiety and self-doubt increases the risk of developing the Imposter Syndrome.

Your mentor will prevent this from happening by making you feel more secure. You receive encouragement, have a sounding board for personal questions, and gain reassurance to take on new challenges and pursue your goals with greater determination.

 

Your mentor must have the time to be available to you. That requires a special effort.  Never begin a mentor-mentee relationship without discussing how much guidance you are seeking.  Do you just want help with problems that might come up infrequently in your work experience or are you seeking a mentor that is with you each day on your career path? 

Some individuals want to schedule weekly meetings to review their progress.  Never confuse a mentor with a psychologist or a therapist.  Some individuals may want both, in their lives, but they are not one and the same.

Your mentor must be non-judgmental; be a good listener; and a person who has been personally successful in their career.  

The mentor must be totally honest and candid and willing to take time to help you develop.  The mentor does not tell you what to do.  It is just the opposite.  The mentor gives you a road map and shows you the many ways that you can choose to reach the end of your journey while experiencing happiness and satisfaction in your work. 

The mentor shows you how to replace negative thoughts with positive energy. The mentor turns complaints into ways to find positive resolutions.  It is an arduous journey but the most important journey that you can ever imagine.

Seeking Positive Opposites:

When are you ready to replace not wanting to get up in the morning and going to work; crying every night upon your return from work; and developing a dependence on alcohol to hide from your problems....... you must sit back and realize these are the red flags that tell you to seek positive opposites?

A mentor can show you the path to the positive opposites The road is out there for you! It is within your reach.  You can pluck the brass ring off the carousel of life. It is just one fantastic ride away! Reach and it is yours!

Finding the Perfect Mentor:

The question centers on how do I find my mentor? That person can be just one phone call or text away.  A mentor can be a spouse or partner; a past coach or undergraduate teacher that knows you well before becoming a veterinarian; and even a close relative--i.e. father, mother, or grandparent.

 

Don't forget your teachers and professors in veterinary school that impacted your education.  There are many teachers but not many teachers who dedicate their lives to the development of others.  Think over your choice.  Is that teacher your future Mentor?

Consider Multiple Mentors:

Multiple mentors bring more advice and open more doors of opportunity. Single mentors may narrow the playing field and not allow you to reach all of your goals.  It is your choice.

A single mentor may be your comfortable choice. 

If you read the life stories of many successful personages, you will note multiple mentors got them to where they are today.

On the Internet, you can search for Veterinary Mentor Provider Services that bring together very well known individuals within the veterinary profession to be your mentor and career coach.  

This search is many times the best for mentees who do not feel comfortable with close friends; family members; or others that have been part of their initial journey while reaching the goal of doctor of veterinary medicine. 

Pick up the phone; send a text; or surf the Web and find a Mentor today!  Doing so can change your life personally and professionally in a way that you cannot imagine! 

            

                                                                                              

                                                                                    

hat characteristics should I be seeking in a Mentor-Mentee Relationship: