I am soooo happy to say that Dillan has shown GREAT signs of improvement. We are so blessed that he is walking under his own power....has a ravenous appetite.....and started to play again.The swelling in his brain has subsided and we are hopeful that we caught the problem in time. Of course I say "we" when JoJo gets the credit for diligently finding the doctors and hospital that actually "knew" what the symptoms were...and knew how to treat him. Thank you NW Vet Specialists in Clackamas...you are the best! Thank you doctor for fixing my baby boy...he may not be completely out-of-the-woods....but he is headed toward the clearing...and for that I thank you and thank God. Thank you for listening.
I have to ask myself why it was so damn hard (with 4 other visits) for some people to do their job correctly? Now don’t get me wrong…I have my weaknesses as well…but seriously! What has happened to the fabric of the people that “used to do a good job?”
Everyone today agrees that truly great employees are rarer than the proverbial hen’s teeth. It makes no difference if you are an employee yourself, or if you are a manager who is wondering how to actually find a great employee to fill a role, you know that great employees are at a premium.
What exactly is it though that makes an employee great?
Attitudes project your beliefs and values, and what you think of your job, coworkers and boss. It is shown in the quality of your work. The boss is aware of your individual attitudes at work and is watching them every day. They are as important as the work that you produce. A "positive" attitude does not always mean "happy", but it is better to be upbeat at work rather than brooding and angry, "Positive" can also mean proactive, which means you go after things and don't wait for them to come to you (using initiative). Add some flair to what you do all day.
How do you go about doing your job with flair? The first way to make sure you are doing your job with distinction doesn't involve much flair at all - it simply involves doing your job and doing it well. Know exactly what your responsibilities are and attend to them every day. Don't let any of the things that come under your job description fall by the wayside because you think they are unimportant. If you are unsure exactly what all of your responsibilities are, ask your boss for a meeting and discuss your job description with them.
Another way to do your job with flair is to add to the good morale in the office. Everyone has at least one person in the office that is like a black cloud hanging in the air. Gloom, doom and pessimism don't really have a place in the office. Even if you feel like you are heading for a fall with the way a certain project is coming together (like a recent one that comes to mind) or because someone on the team is not pulling their weight, look for solutions instead of standing around and complaining about it.
What I learned with this Dilly experience is that you MUST be a great listener. The first habit of listening is to pay attention to the person who is speaking. Give them your full attention -- and visibly so. Attend not only with your ears but with your whole body. Turn to face them. Gaze intently at them. The trick to full attention is to do it from inside your head, not just by moving your body. If you can be truly interested (which is often just a matter of attitude) then your body will happily follow your mind.
Sometimes the speaker is having difficulty getting their point across. Maybe they are not that good at speaking or are seeking to explain a complex concept. You can help them and yourself by positive encouragement…and listening.
Good listening also includes acting in a way that is considerate of the other person. As a part of listening, you should seek to help the person feel good about themselves. Having someone pay close attention to you and show interest is very flattering and usually feels good.
A fundamental attitude to support this is to value and accept all people, even if you do not agree with what they have to say or how they say it. Thus, if you disagree, disagree with the argument and not with the person. Show your acceptance of their right to differ with you, whilst stating your opposition to what they say.
Finally, be careful with how you react to what the other person says.
It is easy to be put off by listeners who show a marked lack of interest, who do not seem to understand what you are saying or who seem more concerned with criticizing you and showing how they do not need to listen to you.
Before you comment about what the other person has said, pause before you dive into a response. Notice your own internal inferences and biases. Think about what you would say and the effect that it would have. Consider if this is what you want to achieve. A doctor should never say,”Well, there will always be the dead and dying"…when your dog is near death.
And for that statement (the first place we took Mr. B when we were in great pain)….listen closely when I tell you to kiss my ass. I love my dog....and you obviously have come to the end of your road as a doctor.
