After talking briefly with her, and studying her books in depth, the first trait I noticed about Ms. Wilbourn is that she never stands still. I believe that's an important element in finding work you love, making that work reap results, and keeping that work vibrant. She's always moving through new ideas, new techniques, meeting new people, approaching her activism from different angles, and keeping an open mind to the possibilities around her.

Here's an example of being open to new ideas - and not getting stuck in earlier ideas, as successful as they may be: In her earlier books, she referred to cat owners as the cat's "person" or "caregiver." Since she's been active in animal rights, and become a columnist for In Defense of Animals, she now, in her new book The Complete Guide to Understanding & Caring for Your Cat , refers to cat owners as the cat's "guardian."

"There's a big difference," she told me on the phone. "Guardian is more accurate because it makes it clear that a pet is not property," but rather a creature to be cared for and protected, a member of the family.

Specific Success Traits

Throughout Carole's life, she has built up a library, if you will, of experience and knowledge. Every day she adds to that library.

Three other personal traits have helped build Carole's success:
1. She is highly organized. You can't gather as much information as she has, without a well-oiled way to retrieve the information when you need it for a project.

2. She networks. She works with other people. She connects people. She's interested in others. People call her. They connect her with others. And she does it with ease and grace.

3. Ms. Wilbourn keeps an open mind to new ideas. She doesn't labor over every idea because she has her long-term goals clearly in sight. If an idea crosses her desk, she can make a decision about it quickly and accurately.

How Ms. Wilbourn Developed Her Career

Carole started her career by helping others to understand their cats' behaviors, especially problem behaviors. She determined that problem behaviors have inner causes that absolutely must be addressed in order for the cat to become socialized, to heal, and to remain healthy. Carole worked with the cats' guardians, teaching them about their pets' inner lives. By 1977, just by helping others in this way, she found out that people were referring to her as "the country's founding mother of cat psychoanalysis." ¹

The next step followed, because Carole was out there meeting new people and always open to new ideas. She was in Manhattan in 1973 and the opportunity came up for her to team up with a veterinarian and open the first cat hospital in New York City. They called it The Cat Practice. It was perfect. Carole would work with the cats and their guardians to uncover the underlying problems of the cats' illnesses, and Dr. Paul Rowan, the vet, would treat the cats medically if needed. This way they were treating "The Total Cat," which later became the title of one of Carole's books.

But Carole's reputation as "the country's founding mother of cat psychoanalysis" didn't happen suddenly - it evolved. As The Cat Practice became busy, Dr. Rowan said: "Carole, you'll have to start telling the clients about their cats' behaviors - instead of telling me. I need the time for the medical evaluations and treatments." So Carole called herself a "feline behaviorist." The media started calling her "the cat shrink." Carole realized she was indeed doing therapy: cat therapy. Thus she became "The Cat Therapist." It was then that she began to take appointments on her own. And now they have dog therapy, bird therapy, and more.

With Carole, though, nothing stands still. As she spoke to more and more guardians, she found herself in demand for private consultations. Not only did she go to the homes of nearby cats and their guardians, but she traveled whenever possible, so she could work with cats all over the U.S. Her business extended even farther when she got calls for help over the telephone from countries all over the world. Carole did in-depth, extensive telephone counseling with guardians who were having cat problems. And demand for her services continues to grow, at home and internationally.

Ms. Wilbourn is currently working at the Westside Veterinary Center in Manhattan. She loves working with the emotional and psychological needs of the hospital patients, and she is also able to see private clients at Westside, whose cats have behavioral or emotional issues.

Her energy for new projects never diminishes. Her newest project is a unique CD called Caring For Your Cat, the Wilbourn Way. Not only can a person listen to it, but cats can listen to it, too. Really! She has original, innovative music on the CD designed specifically to soothe cats, and relax people. It's also instructional, so if you're crunched for time, you can learn about The Wilbourn Way in your car or on the jogging path. Carole discusses issues you just can't find anywhere else, such as how to help a stray cat, the downlow about feral cats, how to make your home safe for your cat, how to travel with cats, and much more.

Carole Wilbourn: Role Model

Whatever your career choice - lawyer, graphic designer, computer scientist, dancer, physicist - the tools for success are clearly illustrated by Carole's life. It's a matter of:

1. passion, energy, and compassion for others
2. learning and studying as a lifelong habit
3. networking with grace and generosity
4. always being ready to move on
5. sincerely wanting to make life on this planet a little more pleasant

"Following your bliss" and "doing what you love" are imporant aspects of any career. But doing it Carole's way - with energy, a constant learning process, and a sincere desire to make the world a better place - gives you more tools for your own success.