Fortune Cookie Friday: Every Dog Has His Day
Whether you are running a business, studying at school, or training for a sport, succeeding at your goals can be challenging. It’s a dog eat dog world out there. The best way to succeed is not by taking others down, but by building yourself up.
I used to think that success was the outcome. We only succeeded when we got that award, made the grade, or crossed the finish line first. Over the years, I have found that succeeding is much more than that.
Achieving success is like owning a puppy. If you have ever adopted a puppy (or kitten), you know that it can be an exciting time and a challenge. That cute, hyper bundle of fur has potential. It can also pee all over the place and chew up everything you love. You can experience similar results with a failed attempt at success. Well, maybe a little less pee.
We cherish the idea of owning “man’s best friend,” but your pet’s friendship and obedience come from an accumulation of training and experiences. You can apply many of the tips for raising a well-behaved dog to achieve success in life.
Be Responsible
A puppy is a living creature, and you should respect that if you are considering adopting one. Once you take that puppy in, it is your responsibility to care for it and help it grow. It will take time, commitment, and self-sacrifice.
Imagine you just adopted an idea that could lead to success. It is possible that you will achieve your goal as long as you are prepared to put in that same amount of work. You are responsible for creating your success. Others can help, but it is up to you to make it happen.
Name It
Giving your pet or your pet project a name gives it an identity. People come up with all sorts of creative names for their pets, and there is no reason you shouldn’t do the same for your goals.
Whether your goal is to write a book, save money for a vacation, or run a marathon, you should name it and write it down. This action gives the abstract idea substance and brings it closer to reality. Now, you can post that goal as a daily reminder to yourself.
Start early
Puppy obedience training should start just as soon as you bring the pet home so that he starts on the right paw. If you wait with training, your puppy can pick up some bad habits and so can you.
When you have an idea, start researching on it right away. A quick internet search can show if anyone else has succeeded in something similar. As you look for more information, you can stumble onto subjects that inspire other ideas or solutions that bring you closer to that achievement. Don’t let an opportunity pass you by.
Don’t Expect Too Much Too Soon
Your puppy is a sponge for learning new things, but it will still take time for it to learn everything required to be an obedient pet. Even if it masters a trick in one day, it may need multiple days to make it stick.
If you want your idea to succeed, you need to understand that it won’t happen overnight. It can take months, or even years to accomplish some goals. You won’t find a diploma at the bottom of a cereal box. So be wary of instant success, because there are usually strings attached.
Collected Experience
Except for house training, socialization is the most important part of training a puppy. That adorable, little puppy could quickly become a huge monster if you don’t take the time to socialize it properly. The best way to socialize your puppy is to provide them with as many new people, dogs, and situations as possible in a positive manner. The accumulation of these experiences helps the puppy grow up to be obedient, well-adjusted, and happy.
Your success is also an accumulation of experiences. A goal is just a landmark. It’s your movement toward that goal that determines whether you are successful. Every person you meet, every book you read, every trial and error are the accumulation of experiences that aid you in achieving your goal. They help you make good decisions, respond to problems, and accept changes. Each one of those experiences is a success of its own, even your mistakes.
Positive Reinforcement
Puppies respond better to positive reinforcement than other training methods. Giving your puppy praise when they do well will encourage them to continue training and remember those new skills.
You need to enjoy the little successes too. If you are working towards a goal, pat yourself on the back when you run a little farther, solve another problem, or put in a bit more time at work. That positive attitude will encourage you to keep going when things get tough.
Accidents Happen
There will be days when you walk through a room and step in a puddle. Other times you may find a torn up pillow. You will want to get mad, but that won’t help. Your puppy was only doing what came naturally to them. The best you can do is it clean it up and try to prevent it from happening again.
The road to success will have some bumps. You will inevitably make some mistakes along the way. Try not to beat yourself up over the flubs. Take some time to assess where you went wrong, and try not to repeat the same mistakes in the future.
The Tail Wagging the Dog
Life’s achievements are made possible by the little successes you make every day. You can achieve your goals over time with a little bit of work and a whole lot of patience. If you remember to revel in each step along the way, you’ll be as happy as a dog with two tails.
