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articles + Books
Reading List
These books are handpicked to offer diverse perspectives and practical insights with the Amazon link for a detailed overview and reviews. Many audiobooks are included with a Spotify Premium subscription. Consider these resources for personal enrichment and professional development, I hope they can serve as valuable resources in your quest for knowledge, growth, and excellence in all areas of your life. Create a new habit - try listening to an audiobook while walking. The B
Bill Hanson
Sep 212 min read
Are You the MacGyver in Your Veterinary Practice?
MacGyver was the television character who could escape almost any situation with ingenuity, a Swiss Army knife, a paper clip, or whatever happened to be lying around. He was remarkably resourceful, and veterinary medicine creates plenty of MacGyvers of its own. For much of my veterinary career, I was a MacGyver, and I was pretty good at it. Give me a difficult case, a broken piece of equipment, a staffing issue, an unhappy client, or something that just was not working proper
Bill Hanson
Sep 214 min read
The Forgotten Half of the Golden Rule
How an old teaching made me rethink the way I treat myself. Years ago, I had a habit that many veterinarians will recognize. On my days off, I would often call the clinic to check on my hospitalized cases. The conversations were usually brief. Had the dog eaten? Was the cat more comfortable? How was my post-op doing? Once I received a reassuring update, I could finally relax and enjoy the rest of my day. At least that is what I told myself. Looking back, I realize those calls
Bill Hanson
Aug 65 min read
What Does this Make Possible?
For years, I carried a small slip of paper in my wallet. It had just one sentence written on it: “What does this make possible?” I didn’t reach for it on the good days. I pulled it out when things felt heavy. A case didn’t go as planned. A client was upset. The team was stretched thin, and everyone felt it. You know those days. The ones that follow you home long after the clinic lights are off. In veterinary medicine, we are trained to notice problems. That is part of what ma
Bill Hanson
May 314 min read
The Wins That Carry You Through a Career
Last week a veterinarian told me about a complex GDV he managed beautifully: great teamwork and calm communication with a worried family. The dog went home happy to be reunited with the owners. A huge win. When I asked him how he celebrated, he looked at me as if I had suggested he cancel the rest of his day. “I didn’t. I just moved on. There were still lots of appointments.” That right there is the pattern. We solve. We move on. And then we quietly wonder why it never feels
Bill Hanson
Apr 63 min read
When Meaning Takes Shape: Purpose, Clarity, and the Process of Becoming
After sharing my recent blog on meaning and purpose in veterinary medicine, I received many responses from you. A few simply said, “This really made me think.” Those responses tell me this isn’t an abstract topic. It’s alive. And for many veterinarians, it feels like unfinished business. In my previous blog, I described meaning and purpose as practical anchors rather than abstract ideals. Meaning is the story you tell yourself about why your work matters. Purpose is the direc
Bill Hanson
Feb 14 min read
When You Know Your ‘Why’, You Can Handle Any ‘How’: Meaning, Purpose, and the Veterinary Journey
Ever notice how some veterinarians seem to bend but not break? They face the same long hours, tricky clients, and unexpected emergencies, yet something about them feels steady, hopeful even. Meanwhile, others feel like they’re slowly unravelling under the same weight. It’s not about toughness or talent. It’s about anchoring. Those who thrive have a strong sense of meaning and purpose guiding them forward, while those who struggle often feel adrift, working hard but without a
Bill Hanson
Dec 30, 20254 min read
The Pleaser Saboteur
The Pleaser Saboteur: Why Saying Yes Might Be Saying No to Yourself The Case of the Reluctant ‘Yes’ It was 5:45 p.m., and you were this close to finishing your records when a tech poked their head in. "Hey, Dr. Smith — could you squeeze in one more quick ear infection?" You smiled, nodded, and said yes , even as your brain whispered no . By the time you finally left, the parking lot was empty and your dinner was cold — again. If th
Bill Hanson
Nov 7, 20254 min read
Saboteur Quiz
Which Saboteur Is Driving Your Burnout Bus? The Quiz: 10 Questions. Choose one response per question that feels most like how you...
Bill Hanson
Sep 22, 20254 min read
Short-lived Success in Veterinary Medicine
Imagine finishing a challenging day of surgery, staying late to check post-op, only to wake the next day anxious about the day’s caseload...
Bill Hanson
Jun 27, 20254 min read
Universal Upset Patient Protocol
The Universal Upset Patient Protocol We have all experienced the sting of an emotionally charged client. If you are like I am, a...
Bill Hanson
May 1, 20253 min read
Is your Boat Leaking?
As a Veterinarian or RVT, your days are filled with challenges—clients relying on your expertise, patients who can’t tell you what’s...
Bill Hanson
Mar 4, 20252 min read
Outwit Your Saboteurs
New Year – Same Old You. Time to Outwit Your Inner Saboteurs Tis the season for New Year's resolutions- do you ever wonder why you have...
Bill Hanson
Jan 14, 20254 min read
Mental Fitness Coaching
Mental Fitness Coaching: A Path to Resilience and Balance The Veterinary profession is waking up to another pandemic: the pandemic of...
Bill Hanson
Dec 1, 20245 min read
AI Technology: Friend or Foe?
Your day already feels like semi-organized, nonstop chaos: 20-minute appointments, texting clients, telehealth to manage the urgent...
Bill Hanson
Nov 30, 20242 min read
Stress and Recovery
We all entered the veterinary profession knowing some of its many challenges. Schooling was intense; we learned new skills, signed our...
Bill Hanson
Sep 28, 20243 min read
The Two sides of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is defined as a feeling of inadequacy despite our many successes. Often, we assume that we are less intelligent or as...
Bill Hanson
Aug 9, 20242 min read
The Gap and the Gain: A Veterinary perspective
Imagine this: you have just had a busy day. You performed a successful surgery, managed a challenging anesthesia and led a productive...
Bill Hanson
Jun 2, 20242 min read
Are You Toughing It Out?
We've all had bad days at work. We know that practice is a series of challenges—some harder than others—and that Veterinarians and RVTs...
Bill Hanson
Mar 18, 20244 min read
What my mechanic taught me about being a Veterinarian
George is my mechanic. OK, I like cars, and George is my guy. I rely on his expertise and marvel at his calm confidence. He rarely lets...
Bill Hanson
Feb 11, 20242 min read
The Pause Button
In our busy clinical lives where every moment counts there is a powerful tool that often gets overlooked - the pause button. Amidst the...
Bill Hanson
Dec 15, 20232 min read
change your thoughts
Change your thoughts and change your mind Never underestimate the power of your thoughts. Research has shown that we have between 20,000...
Bill Hanson
Oct 1, 20232 min read
The Advice monster
Let's face it - we are well trained problem solvers. In fact, we are rewarded for it. Solving problems has become a reflex and now as a...
Bill Hanson
Jul 16, 20232 min read
Saboteur #1: the hyper-achiever
There are 10 Saboteurs. They are the inner voices that generate negative emotions as we experience life’s everyday challenges. When...
Bill Hanson
May 3, 20232 min read
survival toolkit
This toolkit will hasten your recovery when a bad event, or bad days, or unexpected problems happen - and they will. These are a few...
Bill Hanson
Mar 19, 20232 min read
who needs a coach?
Originally published in The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association Magazine Volume 42, No. 1 January/February 2023 Veterinary teams are...
Bill Hanson
Jan 1, 20234 min read
About you
AbouT You
You know that something has to change.
Your well-being at work is at risk. Whether it’s compassion fatigue, stress, long hours, task saturation, burnout—all of the above—you’re starting to feel emotionally numb. You are beginning to wonder if veterinary medicine is right for you. You are still trying to do your best, but something doesn't feel right, and you have lost the joy of your everyday life.
I have been there and I know what it feels like.
You would like to feel fully present, and clear about your purpose.
Deep down, you know that each day is meant to be enjoyed –
not something to be endured.
You’re motivated, willing to learn, and ready to commit to developing your best self, improving your present, and creating a compelling future.
If this resonates with you, or you have a challenge in your career that you need help navigating, let’s connect. Our initial conversation is complimentary and always confidential.
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