“Be all you can be today” - Derek Mills.
Business guru Derek Mills delivered an inspirational keynote during the second day of BSAVA Congress 2021, sharing his story with delegates and providing thoughtful insight into how setting 'daily standards' can impact our lives.
Derek Mills is a financial advisor and wealth manager who has spoken for and worked with a number of FTSE 100 companies, entrepreneurs and global organisations. However, during his keynote, he explained that success has not always come easily to him.
Mr Mills spent the majority of his earlier life working long hours with little success, missing out on precious time with his family and feeling generally unhappy. Then, at 38-years-old, during another late night at the office, Mr Mills had what he calls a 'ten-second moment' where the reality of his situation hit him.
“It was that moment that I had a shift that made me realise – this was not my life. The issues and challenges I face were not me and could not be me. I was not meant to be in this place.”
Mr Mills realised he needed to take a new approach and started to live his life by 'daily standards' rather than general goals. He defines a daily standard standard as a basis, criterion, level, quality or rule that you set from within and commit to living by from that day, for just one day at a time.
He spoke about how this system of living could help the veterinary profession – a sector where people tend to hold themselves to very high standards, leading to stress, burnout and a poor work-life balance.
By setting and reviewing daily standards that have been established by the individual, Mr Mills believes that we begin to live more authentic, happy lives and in turn we attract the right people, opportunities and experiences that lead us to success. He added: “When we stick to our truths, more of our gifts, talents and abilities present themselves.”
The full keynote speech from Derek Mills will be available to view on-demand on the Congress platform in the coming days.
Image (c) BSAVA.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
