Morgan McArthur, DVM for The Veterinarian

Why would you alter the house you’ve lived in for twenty years?

a) Because you can’t afford a new one.

b) Because you’re bored with the existing one.

c) Because it desperately needs an upgrade.

It amazes me to see what people can do with the existing shell of a house. Whether the changes are large and sweeping or on a small scale, renovation transforms not only the structure but the individuals who live in it.

The other day my friend Karl told me that when he finished painting his kitchen the project was finally complete. He smiled like he was going home to a new place.

He’s lived there a long time, so what has really changed?

He and his wife had a vision of what they wanted that room to look like. They looked at designs in magazines, at other homes, and they had a few ideas of their own. They knew what the renovations would cost. With plans in place, the frustration… er, construction, got underway. Disrupted routines, the mess, extra work, unexpected delays are all part of change. Change invites frustration. Through it all, however, the vision of the final result sustained them to its completion.

Is it worth it? Yes. Once finished they had earned the satisfaction of having committed to and completing a project that would benefit them (arms extended: this we have done!).

The same rules that apply to home renovation apply to our careers.

Are you happy with the career you’ve “lived in” for any number of years? Could you benefit from some change?

We all could.

Let’s face it, change is frustrating but refreshing. Veterinary “renovation opportunities” abound. There are big ones, like building new hospitals or career paths, or smaller ones like making changes in office procedures or techniques in surgery. Some may be expensive. All will be expansive. The real cost in self-improvement is experienced when you choose not to.

There are many ways to grow and express yourself through this profession. The resources for creativity come to you through journals, conferences, collegial interaction, or any place you go that offers you ideas on how you might improve your career. Small changes can make big differences.

Find a project and get underway. Ongoing renovation can make the difference between a house and a home. The same rule holds true for a job and a career.

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