The pressure to be perfect

Most people would describe you as a perfectionist. You’re not so sure.

You ARE the one who goes the extra mile. Every time.The one who notices what others miss. The one who gives absolutely everything to each patient.

You DO care deeply about doing things properly. And you DO have high standards. The kind that makes you good at your job. Proud to be part of the profession.

And yet, that comes with a cost.

You’re often the one working hardest. Picking things up when others don’t. Redoing things because it’s quicker, or safer, than explaining them. Feeling a tight knot when something isn’t done the way you would have done it.

You probably wouldn’t describe yourself as a perfectionist, because you're not perfect. There’s always more you’d like to be doing. 

You’d say you just care.That you have standards.That someone has to hold things together.

Even if that’s exhausting. 

If any of that feels familiar, and the pressure to hold it all feels like a lot, this CPD day was created for you.

When high standards start to feel heavy

This isn’t about wanting everything to be flawless.

It’s about the responsibility you carry, often silently.

The belief that if you don’t stay on top of things, something will slip. That if you don’t push, check, or hold the line, standards will drop.

Over time, that pressure doesn’t just stay external; it becomes internal.

You might notice:

• finding it hard to delegate without worrying

• feeling irritated or tense when others do things differently

• taking on more than your share because it feels necessary

• struggling to stop, even when you’re exhausted

From the outside, this can look like dedication. From the inside, it often feels relentless.

And the hardest part? Even when things go well, there’s rarely space to enjoy it. Just relief that nothing went wrong.

Why this shows up so strongly in vet practice

Veterinary work combines high responsibility with real consequences.

You’re trained to anticipate problems, prevent harm, and get things right. And when things go well, it can feel like that’s because you were vigilant, careful, and in control.

The problem is that this can teach your nervous system a subtle rule:If I don’t hold this tightly, something bad might happen.

So delegating feels risky. Letting go feels irresponsible. And worrying feels like part of the job.

We do it because we think it’s the best way, that “doing it any other way will only create more work in the long run”.

But ironically, we’re just creating more mental load, more checking, more pressure, rather than less. 

Why “just relax” or “let it go” doesn’t help

If you believe things only go well because you are on top of them, of course it’s hard to step back. Of course it feels uncomfortable to leave something unfinished, imperfect, or done differently.

You’re not holding on because you don’t know how to let go. You’re holding on because letting go doesn’t feel safe. Even if your boss tells you it's ok to do so.

This day isn’t about forcing yourself to care less. It’s about learning how to work with that discomfort (when appropriate) without it running the show.

Where mindfulness fits in

Mindfulness changes how you relate to pressure across your whole day. So that when crushing pressure to be perfect shows up, you can recognise it and respond differently.

For example:

• noticing the surge of tension when something isn’t done your way

• being objective enough to identify if that’s actually a problem, or just feels like one

• recognising the urge to step in, recheck, or redo

• learning how to stay with that discomfort without automatically acting on it (assuming you don’t need to - feel free to step in if not!)

  
  

Mindfulness helps you soften the inner critic, think more objectively, and tell the difference between what genuinely needs doing and what pressure is adding on top.

What this day is really about

This day is not about lowering standards.

It’s about lowering the point at which you get to enjoy your job.

When the pressure to be perfect is running things, you feel relief when everything has gone well. Relief. Not enjoyment. Not job satisfaction. Relief. 

When we remove some of that pressure, you can feel enjoyment during the process. Keep high standards because you WANT to.

A question we’ll explore together:

Most people realise the answer is yes.

So yes, you'll still care. You'll still do good work. But you’re not constantly braced. And that means you have space to enjoy the profession you care so much about.

What makes this day different

This is a small-group, in-person CPD day, and it’s designed to feel different from a typical training day.

We don’t just talk about the pressure to be perfect and how to manage that. We practise noticing it, working with it, and responding to it differently.

The setting matters too.

This is a chance to step out of the usual pressure, spend the day in a beautiful environment, and give yourself space to think. If the weather allows, we may even take a gentle lunchtime walk along the seafront.

I toyed with calling these retreat days. Because while they count as CPD, they’re also a proper day away designed to help you leave people feeling lighter, clearer, and recharged.

Over the day, we’ll explore

• The difference between high standards and perfectionism, and how they both show up in veterinary practice (the good and the bad!)

• How mindfulness helps soften the pressure and improve objectivity without lowering standards

• Recognising when pressure is coming from you, not the situation

• In-the-moment tools for when it’s all feeling like too much

• Creating a realistic plan that makes this a way of life, not a strategy you only remember when things get hard

  
  

Everything is practical, interactive, and grounded in real veterinary life.

This day is for you if

• You hold very high standards

• You struggle to stop or switch off, even when there are opportunities to do so

• You feel tense when things aren’t done a certain way

• You find it hard to delegate without worrying

• You want to enjoy your work more often — not just feel relieved when it’s over

What past clients and attendees say

Had a total epiphany in your perfectionism workshop; I now understand why my husband enjoys his job and I never enjoy mine! 

I've realised that my job, my company, and my colleagues were never the problem. If I’d seen that sooner, I might have avoided burnout.

This workshop has been so useful, and I look forward to practising the techniques shared!

I used to put so much pressure on myself to get everything right. Since working with Lucy, I’m better at trusting myself, being realistic, and accepting that I don’t have to be perfect to do a good job.

Practical details

Format: In-person, interactive, small group

Who it’s for: Veterinary professionals

CPD: 6 hours

Location: Clevedon Hall, BS21 7RH, just 5 mins from the M5

Date: Tuesday 9th June, 9:30 - 16:30

Cost: £175 including lunch and refreshments

Over time, the constant pressure to get everything right can drain energy, enjoyment, and satisfaction from work you genuinely care about.

This CPD day offers a chance to pause, understand what’s really happening, and learn a different way of meeting those moments. One where you can still do excellent work, without carrying so much tension alongside it.

Cancellations made 30 days in advance are entitled to a full refund, minus a small transactional fee. Cancellations with less than 30 days notice are non-refundable.