Dr Emma Davis speaking with Dr Natasha Wilks BVSc DipCoaching of High Performance Vets 

Intro: What has inspired us to create veterinarycareers.com.au are the amazing people that we get to meet and learn about their career paths, and today I am speaking to a great veterinary entrepreneur in Dr Natasha Wilks. 

Dr M: Welcome Natasha and thanks for your time today:

Natasha: Hi Emma, thanks for interviewing me today.  Perception is interesting isn’t it, as I’ve never seen myself as an entrepreneur (I will have to now!).  I am so privileged to be able to help veterinarians in achieving their career goals and thrive personally.

Dr M: Natasha I have been following part of your career via your business High Performance Vets on social media for a couple of years now and I love the information that you put out there as I am always learning something about myself! May I ask what are you working on at the moment? 

Natasha: I have a few projects that I’m currently working on.  I am speaking at 3 conferences in the next 4 months that I have to prepare months in advance for.  So I am researching and writing the session notes for them.

I have an international contract where I am training a whole team on-site in October.  I am spending the next 2 months training and coaching their veterinarians so they will already have results by the time I arrive.

My newest course, Income Accelerator, which started in mid July, is an 8 week online course working with veterinarians to increase their income.  

I also have my wonderful private coaching clients who are so great to work with.

Dr M: You seem to be really involved in the profession and your career – what drives you?

Natasha: Unfortunately, I’ve had a number of people close to me pass away suddenly.  It helped me focus on what really is important in life.

You never know what may happen so it’s important to live a great life now, whatever ‘great’ is for you.

I see so much frustration, disillusionment and sadness in our profession.  Veterinarians are incredible.  We are determined, resourceful, passionate and incredibly hard workers.  However, sometimes that is to our detriment.  The one thing we neglect to do is look after ourselves. 

I can’t stand by and watch suffering.  That is why I do what I do.  All my trainings are designed around what I have learned and know from my many years in practice and training so that life and practice becomes easier.

The veterinary profession is changing and veterinarians need to start anticipating the changes and prepare now to have a competitive edge. 

Lastly, I’m very driven by my family.  I want to be there with my kids as they grow up, give them as many opportunities as I can and most importantly, teach them life skills.

Dr M: What have been the major transitions in your career path? 

Natasha: I wanted to be a large animal vet but I had to stay within large cities so my husband could be employed in his profession.  After working in the UK, I came back to Australia for a position that didn’t work out for me. I will be forever grateful as it pushed me into doing my coach training (I’m not a natural risk taker). It was then I realised, that this is what I was meant to do as it tapped into my natural strengths. 

Having children was a major transition for me.  All ambition went out the window and I was surprised to find I just wanted to be a mum.  Once my youngest starting school I could think again and I was ready to move from motherhood to being more focussed on my coaching practice.

In 2015, I was invited to be a committee member of the AVA Practice Management group.  I’m really enjoying being involved.

My recent transition has been recognising I can’t do it all at once.  I am very aware of not over committing myself and taking down time for myself.  My workload has to be sustainable as I’m no good to anyone if I burn myself out.

Dr M: What goals are you working towards? 

Natasha: I have a health and fitness goal as I have been carrying way too much weight for too long!  All the recent conferences haven’t helped either!

I have a number of programs I want to finish creating over the next 12 – 18 months so in the future I can focus on helping veterinarians worldwide.

Everyone must have an income goal and on the 30th of June, I hit mine so I have set another one that is a bit terrifying.  I’m not sure how to achieve it yet, but I’ve learned that if I set the goal and take action, I’ll get there. 

I want to do more training in neuroscience and positive psychology. Our brain is fascinating and I am interested in the effect mindset and the workplace has on an individuals performance and wellbeing.

We are planning a family trip to Cape York in 2017 which I am very excited about.  

Dr M: What advice would you provide a younger you? 

Natasha: You don’t have to know it all.  You can ask for help.  Believe in yourself.  Write down every win, no matter how small, and look at them in the tough times.  Negotiate your salary.  Stop discounting.  Keep learning and growing and if you find you aren’t anymore, find new opportunities or a new practice.  It does get easier. Go for those jobs that you want but don’t think you are good enough for.  It’s not failure, it’s a learning opportunity.  Get training on communication. Trust your intuition, it’s usually right. Start using good face creams now!

Dr M: Where can people find you to get in touch?

Natasha: www.HighPerformanceVets.com,  info@highperformancevets.com  +61 (0)434 836 178

Dr M: Thanks for your time today Natasha