Learn how to reach goals...from your dog
It's already Jan. 6, 2009 and chances are you may have broken a resolution or you may have not started them up yet (like me with my plan to go back to weight watchers and to continue training for that marathon in March). Why not make goals instead of resolutions?! And what better way than to learn lifetime goals from your dog.
"Dogs have a lot to teach us about reaching our goals," says New York Times best-selling author Peggy McColl. Her book Be a Dog with a Bone (Hay House; January 2009) is out this month. Here are the Top Ten Suggestions for reaching those resolutions as suggested by our four-legged friends:
1. What is your bone--what is your goal? A dog knows a good bone when he sees one and goes for it. As you consider each of your New Year's resolutions, chomp on your goal, chewing it over, then grab hold and ignore that little voice that says you can't. Be a dog with a bone!
2. Be a little dog with a big dog attitude. Don't think small. Dream big! Be excited about your goal, feel entitled to achieving it, and experience the feelings you'd feel if you'd already reached it. Confidence, knowing that you can feel like a winner, will help you achieve your goal. Think about how those little lap dogs are so quick to bark at a big German shepherd!
3. Get out of the doghouse. Be courageous and believe in yourself. See challenging times as a terrific opportunity to leave behind the security of what you once knew and look again at what you might create for yourself. Dogs like to have their own, cozy doghouse, but they also are willing to explore new places and new things, and sniff around!
4. Only ingest things that are good for you. A little poison, or negativity, can strongly affect you. If looking at all the obstacles facing you is making you feel sad, angry, or scared, stop! You can't avoid every roadblock but you can get around them if you take charge of your attitude. Taking in negativity will only make it harder to hold on to that bone. Dogs like to eat things that aren't good for them, so we have to be careful that they don't get into the garbage!
5. Learn new tricks. We're always having to learn something new. Stop thinking "it's too late" or "I'm too old." Be patient, and be an old dog willing to learn new tricks! You might be surprised what your dog can learn if you're willing to be patient with him and spend some time and effort.
6. Bark for what you want. Don't be shy! Speak up for yourself! If you want people to help you out, approach them and ask. People love to be asked to share their wisdom. A puppy won't hesitate to bark to ask you to take her for a walk or play fetch, and how can you resist those big, begging eyes?
7. Don't chase your tail! Let go of behaviors that aren't serving you anymore. Take a look at your habits that are holding you back, and let go of them. Dogs used to turn around three times before lying down in order to prepare the sticks on the ground; now that they sleep on the floor, they're still performing this ancient ritual that's no longer necessary.
8. When you think you've reached the end of your leash, give yourself a little more leash to work with. Think positive thoughts and stretch past your comfort zone. Stop believing that your power to change your life is limited. Lengthen your leash and explore a little further! Push the button and give your dog a longer lead!
9. Wag your tail! The more you feel happiness and appreciation for what you have, the easier it will be to achieve your goal. Look at all that's working in your life already. The positive emotional energy you generate when you feel grateful and happy helps you achieve your goal--and then it will be really easy to feel even more grateful and happy! A dog will wag his tail in excitement and joy when he sees you come in because he so appreciates what he has--you!
10. Keep your nose wet. Stay healthy. You'll need to feel good and have stamina if you want to reach your goals. Eat well, exercise, and get your rest--take a nap if you need it! A dog with a wet nose is a dog that's health and well cared for.
Oh, and since we're on a roll here is one extra little bonus treat:
11. Lap up your success. Get excited and celebrate your successes! If you do, it will lead to more successes! A dog can be deliriously happy over a bowl of water, and he'll lap it up eagerly!
Leave a comment