UNLEASHED (at work & home) with Colleen Pelar

Using rules as a tool for exploration

Exploration is something that most of us think is a good idea in theory, but we don’t do it.

The estimates vary, but neuroscientists and psychologists agree that large chunks of human behavior are merely habits and patterns. The low estimates are 40%. Some estimates go as high as 80-90% of behavior is just on autopilot.

That’s good because it makes us efficient, but it doesn’t necessarily make us happy.

That’s where rules come in. You can create your own rules to spark creativity and exploration, to create new opportunities, and to discover new things about yourself. 

Exploration - Sheila Newenham

Sheila Newenham, DVM, talked with Colleen Pelar about exploration. The whole world is waiting for you. Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? What can you learn from being open to new experiences? www.colleenpelar.com/55

Working through Worries to Make a Decision

The Worst-Case/Best-Case/Mostly Likely Framework is a way of facing and addressing worries.

Your brain is wired to notice everything that could potentially go wrong. Often this can lead to crippling indecision, high anxiety, and catastrophic thinking. It leaves you feeling stuck.

This tool helps you

• Recognize the extreme unlikelihood of your worst-case scenario fears by providing an equally extreme counterpoint in the opposite direction.
• Become more aware of the negativity bias so that you are better able to make real-time adjustments in your thinking
• Use humor and positivity to create a broader, more creative thinking
• More accurately assess the outcomes of possible your choices so you can make decisions based on logic, not anxiety

A big thank you to Alicia Obando of Pitter Patter Parenting in Chicago for helping me demonstrate this tool. 

Reinvention - Karen Sinovich

Is there something you’ve been longing to do? What would give you the courage to dive in? Karen Sinovich, an animal behavior practitioner, shared thoughts about reinvention. You have only one life, but that doesn’t mean you need to have only one passion. www.colleenpelar.com/56

BONUS: Learning to give grace to yourself and others

"Grace" is a complicated word. It conjures images of elegance, finesse, and fluidity. It's endowed with goodwill, kindness, and generosity.

Grace sounds effortless, but it's not! Grace is an active decision.

Developing requires great self-awareness. Grace asks you to accept the reality of the moment just as it is, while also looking for the good in it now and the good that can come from it.

Learning how to give yourself and others grace opens you up to stronger relationships and greater resilience. https://colleenpelar.com/grace-julie-smith

BONUS: Tips for developing your grit

Understanding the elements of grit can help veterinarians, vet techs, dog trainers, shelter/rescue teams, and other pet professionals find the energy and drive to keep going AND get better results.

This solocast is the companion to episode 52 of the UNLEASHED (at work & home) podcast in which Dr. Erik Hofmeister and I discussed grit. https://colleenpelar.com/grit-erik-hofmeister

Grace - Julie Fudge Smith

Julie Fudge Smith, CPDT-KA, talked with Colleen Pelar about how grace begins with intention and humility. How much grace do you extend to others? How much do you give yourself? Explore some strategies for incorporating more grace into your life. www.colleenpelar.com/53

Grit - Erik Hofmeister

Erik Hofmeister, DVM, DACVAA, DECVAA, MA, MS, talked with Colleen Pelar about grit and how consistent effort helps pet professionals get better results than natural talent. Eager to develop your own grit? You’ll discover some simple strategies in this episode. www.colleenpelar.com/52

Grief - Kristin Buller

Kristin Buller, MA, LCSW, talked with Colleen Pelar about grief and ways pet pros navigate their own emotions and those of their colleagues and clients. www.colleenpelar.com/51

Turnabout - Tina Spring interviews Colleen Pelar

On the two-year anniversary of UNLEASHED (at work & home), the tables are turned on Colleen Pelar. Tina Spring, CPDT-KA, interviews Colleen to explore what really matters to her. https://colleenpelar.com/50