I’ve always been a list maker. I attribute much of my professional success and personal happiness to jotting down to-dos. Psychologists term this technique “compartmentalization,” and anytime you feel overwhelmed by life’s responsibilities is an excellent time to try it.

Psychologists define compartmentalization as a defense mechanism to avoid the anxiety that arises from the clash of contradictory values or emotions. While that may sound like a bad thing at first glance, it’s how our brains handle conflicting internal standpoints. For example, a manager can consider herself a relaxed mother or partner at home but a demanding boss at work. These two self-images can coincide because the manager compartmentalizes her life. 

As we begin to write a new chapter in our lives, many of us will be reflecting on how we can make the next year - and the next decade - our best yet. I’ve been practicing goal-planning, especially each New Year’s Day, for my entire adult life. One of my earliest Youtube videos, way back on January 4, 2009, was about goal setting and creating a plan to improve fitness and health. In addition to improving your diet, exercising more frequently and efficiently, and getting more restorative sleep, your mental and spiritual wellbeing should be addressed. Numerous studies prove that daily gratitude practices can enhance your relationships, improve your empathy and decrease aggression, boost self-esteem, and increase mental strength. All of these fortify your mental wellbeing, allowing you to better deal with stress and overcome adversity in veterinary practice (and life). I’ve practiced a variety of gratitude techniques over the past 30 years, but the one I keep returning to is the one I stumbled upon during college before we had terms such as “gratitude practice.” Back then it was simply called “start your day with positive thoughts.” Today I call it “Titling toward Optimism,” and I’ve talked about it many times on our weekly podcast, The Veterinary Viewfinder. As you start the new year, I encourage you to try this simple and highly effective gratitude practice yourself.