Two Notes Tuesday: The 15-Minute Weekly Habit That Prevents Veterinary Burnout

 

Let's be real for a second. You know recognition matters. You've read the articles. You've seen the turnover stats. You've watched good techs walk out the door because they felt invisible.

But here's the thing, knowing recognition matters and actually doing something about it are two wildly different animals. Kind of like knowing you should floss every day versus, you know, actually flossing.

The problem isn't that you don't care. The problem is that recognition feels like one more thing on a to-do list that's already longer than a Great Dane's legs. Between packed appointment schedules, emergency walk-ins, and that one client who insists their cat "definitely didn't eat anything weird," who has time to write heartfelt notes to their team?

Here's the good news: you don't need hours. You need 15 minutes a week and a simple system.

Welcome to Two Notes Tuesday.

Why "Random Acts of Recognition" Don't Work

Before we dive into the system, let's talk about why most recognition efforts fizzle out.

You've probably been there. A team member does something amazing, nails a difficult intubation, calms down a panicking pet parent, or stays late to help with an emergency. You make a mental note: I should thank them for that.

And then... you don't. Because the next patient is already in the room. Because the phone is ringing. Because by the time you have a free moment, you've completely forgotten what you wanted to say.

This is the trap of relying on random acts of recognition. It depends entirely on you remembering things during your busiest, most chaotic moments. That's like trying to remember your grocery list while performing surgery. It's just not going to happen consistently.

The solution? Systems over random acts.

Recognition that actually sticks, the kind that reduces burnout, improves retention, and makes people feel genuinely seen, requires a repeatable process. Something so simple you can do it even when your brain is fried from back-to-back appointments.

The Two Notes Tuesday System: Dead Simple, Wildly Effective

Here's the entire system in one sentence: Every Tuesday, spend 15 minutes writing two handwritten recognition notes to team members.

That's it. No complicated software. No elaborate ceremonies. Just you, a pen, a couple of notecards, and 15 minutes carved out of your week.

But let's do the math, because this is where it gets exciting.

The Numbers That'll Make You a Believer

• 2 notes per week
• 52 weeks per year
• = 104 personalized recognition moments annually

One hundred and four times a year, someone on your team gets a tangible, handwritten acknowledgment that they matter. That their work is seen. That they're not just another body filling a shift.

Now here's the kicker: 104 notes only takes about 13 hours total per year.

Thirteen hours. That's less time than most people spend in unproductive meetings in a single month. That's roughly three slow afternoons at the clinic. That's one really long Netflix binge.

For 13 hours of your time spread across an entire year, you create over a hundred moments where someone on your team feels valued. That's an insane return on investment, especially when you consider that replacing a single veterinary technician can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 when you factor in recruiting, training, and lost productivity.

The "Caught You" Jar: Your Secret Weapon for Remembering

Okay, but here's the question you're probably asking: "How am I supposed to remember what to write about?"

Fair point. By Tuesday, you might not remember what happened on Friday, let alone the small wins scattered throughout the week.

Enter the Caught You Jar.

This is a ridiculously simple capture system that makes Two Notes Tuesday practically foolproof. Here's how it works:

1. Grab a jar, cup, or container and put it somewhere visible in your office or workspace.
2. Keep a stack of small paper scraps nearby (sticky notes work great).
3. Whenever you "catch" someone doing something noteworthy, jot down their name and what they did. Takes 10 seconds. Drop it in the jar.
4. On Tuesday, reach into the jar and pull out two slips. Boom: you've got your notes for the week.

The beauty of this system is that it separates noticing from writing. You're not trying to remember things days later. You're capturing moments in real-time when they're fresh, then using that stockpile when you sit down to write.

And here's a bonus: the Caught You Jar naturally trains you to look for the good stuff. When you know you're trying to fill that jar, you start paying closer attention to the wins happening around you. It shifts your focus from problems to possibilities.

What Makes a Good Recognition Note?

Not all recognition hits the same. A generic "great job!" doesn't carry the same weight as something specific and personal.

When you sit down for your 15 minutes on Tuesday, aim for notes that include:

• What they did (be specific!)
• Why it mattered (the impact on the team, patient, or client)
• A genuine thank you

For example, instead of writing "Thanks for your hard work," try something like:

"Sarah: The way you handled Mrs. Patterson on Monday was incredible. She was completely panicked about Biscuit's diagnosis, and you took the time to sit with her and explain everything so calmly. That's the kind of care that makes people trust us with their pets. Thank you for being that person."

See the difference? One feels like a formality. The other feels like you actually saw them.

Making It Stick: Tips for Actually Following Through

Systems only work if you actually use them. Here's how to make Two Notes Tuesday a habit that sticks:

1. Block the time. Put it in your calendar. Treat it like an appointment you can't cancel. Tuesday at 2pm. Tuesday before you leave. Whatever works: just make it non-negotiable.

2. Keep supplies handy. You're way more likely to follow through if you don't have to hunt for notecards and a working pen. The Hospital Recognition Starter Pack comes with everything you need: notecards designed specifically for vet teams, plus pens that won't mysteriously disappear into the clinic void.

3. Start imperfect. Your first notes don't have to be poetry. Done is better than perfect. The more you write, the easier it gets.

4. Pair it with something you already do. Habit stacking works. Write your notes right after your Tuesday team huddle. Or while you drink your afternoon coffee. Attach it to an existing routine.

The Ripple Effect You Didn't Expect

Here's something wild that happens when you commit to Two Notes Tuesday: it spreads.

Team members who receive recognition are more likely to recognize others. Positivity becomes contagious. The whole culture starts shifting: not because you implemented some massive top-down initiative, but because you spent 15 minutes a week putting pen to paper.

Burnout doesn't happen because people work hard. It happens because people work hard and feel invisible. Two Notes Tuesday is your antidote. It's small, it's sustainable, and it works.

Ready to Start?

You don't need to overhaul your entire management style. You don't need a budget or a committee or executive buy-in.

You need a jar, some notecards, and 15 minutes every Tuesday.

That's 104 opportunities this year to remind someone they matter. To be the reason they stay instead of the reason they leave. To build a culture where people actually want to show up.

If you want the full playbook: including the Caught You Jar system, note-writing templates, and a complete recognition framework built specifically for vet teams: check out the Hospital Recognition Guidebook. It's got everything you need to turn good intentions into lasting habits.

Now go find a jar. Tuesday's coming. 🎉