3 Key Business Lessons I Learned From My Dog
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3 Key Business Lessons I Learned From My Dog
I have the world's best dog, and I tell her that every chance I get. Bexley isn't just a pet, she's family. She doesn't know it, but she has taught me a lot about life which helps me better run my business. This list could easily be a top 10, but I've narrowed it down significantly!
By: Amy Franko
I have the world's best dog, and I tell her that every chance I get. Bexley isn't just a pet, she's family. She doesn't know it, but she has taught me a lot about life which helps me better run my business. This list could easily be a top 10, but I've narrowed it down significantly!
By: Amy Franko
Lesson #1: Express your happiness daily. Dogs have pretty simple needs. Our human needs are often complicated and messy.
In today's world, there's a lot to be unhappy, anxious, and generally miserable about - get online, flip on the TV, read the paper. You'll find high gas prices, high food prices, a slumping housing market, a slumping economy, and general unhappiness with the way things are.
But no matter what kind of day I have or the woes plaguing the universe, when I open that front door, Bexley runs full force toward me, jumps up, front paws airborne, and practically dives into me, her whole body wagging. Now that's happiness.
I ask myself, how can I be that happy?
First, I focus on the idea that less is more. There is so much competition for our financial resources, our time, and our energy. As an intense, action-oriented person, creating simplicity has been a work in progress for me. I try to streamline my schedule to include only the most important things, and I routinely practice saying "no" to activities and purchases that stretch me thin financially, emotionally, and mentally.
Second, I am consciously grateful for what I do have. I remind myself daily of what I'm grateful for, and I try to remove the focus from material things.
I also apply these two ideas to my professional life. I have streamlined my schedule to focus on what's most important to my business. I set boundaries by asking myself on each opportunity if it's a fit. I'm truly grateful for my clients and alliance partners, and the opportunities I have to work with them.
Lesson #2: Have an attitude of expectation. Be consistent.
In our house, the pantry is home to Bexley's treats, affectionately referred to as "Door #2." When she comes inside from the backyard, she always trots straight to the door and sits, fully expecting that her owners will open the magical door and a treat will appear. It never occurs to her that it won't happen.
These qualities have helped me tremendously. There will always be challenges along the way. Long sales cycles, and projects falling apart at the last minute are all part of it. But at the same time, it doesn't occur to me that it won't work out. I love being self-employed and I expect to be successful.
To help me achieve consistency, I've built a daily routine. That includes time for writing articles and reading to build expertise in my industry, as well as time for sales activities, and project work. Focusing on only the most important business activities and managing the freedom of self-employment keep me on the right path.
Lesson #3: Life is short. Make it count.
Bexley makes the world a better place, at least for us. The toughest part about having her is knowing that her time with us will be too short. Over time she has mellowed out somewhat, but she still has the happiness that I remember in her as a puppy. When she meets us at the door, it's still a full-force, bounding greeting. Door #2 is still magic. Her life counts in a way that she'll never know.
It's really easy to let the days busily slip by. How do I know if I'm making it count? I know it counts if I'm making things better for my family or for the world around me.
I keep a list of my most important business and personal goals in plain sight. Depending on the size of the goal, I aim to work on one each year.
How do I make it count in my business? I select projects and clients that inspire me. That gives me the most energy and drive to do my best work. I also delegate tasks so that I have more balance in my work and personal life. I aim for each hour of my work to make me better, more knowledgeable, and valuable to my clients.
Bexley has taught me these business lessons in her own loyal, friendly, loving way, and I'm forever grateful to her!
In today's world, there's a lot to be unhappy, anxious, and generally miserable about - get online, flip on the TV, read the paper. You'll find high gas prices, high food prices, a slumping housing market, a slumping economy, and general unhappiness with the way things are.
But no matter what kind of day I have or the woes plaguing the universe, when I open that front door, Bexley runs full force toward me, jumps up, front paws airborne, and practically dives into me, her whole body wagging. Now that's happiness.
I ask myself, how can I be that happy?
First, I focus on the idea that less is more. There is so much competition for our financial resources, our time, and our energy. As an intense, action-oriented person, creating simplicity has been a work in progress for me. I try to streamline my schedule to include only the most important things, and I routinely practice saying "no" to activities and purchases that stretch me thin financially, emotionally, and mentally.
Second, I am consciously grateful for what I do have. I remind myself daily of what I'm grateful for, and I try to remove the focus from material things.
I also apply these two ideas to my professional life. I have streamlined my schedule to focus on what's most important to my business. I set boundaries by asking myself on each opportunity if it's a fit. I'm truly grateful for my clients and alliance partners, and the opportunities I have to work with them.
Lesson #2: Have an attitude of expectation. Be consistent.
In our house, the pantry is home to Bexley's treats, affectionately referred to as "Door #2." When she comes inside from the backyard, she always trots straight to the door and sits, fully expecting that her owners will open the magical door and a treat will appear. It never occurs to her that it won't happen.
These qualities have helped me tremendously. There will always be challenges along the way. Long sales cycles, and projects falling apart at the last minute are all part of it. But at the same time, it doesn't occur to me that it won't work out. I love being self-employed and I expect to be successful.
To help me achieve consistency, I've built a daily routine. That includes time for writing articles and reading to build expertise in my industry, as well as time for sales activities, and project work. Focusing on only the most important business activities and managing the freedom of self-employment keep me on the right path.
Lesson #3: Life is short. Make it count.
Bexley makes the world a better place, at least for us. The toughest part about having her is knowing that her time with us will be too short. Over time she has mellowed out somewhat, but she still has the happiness that I remember in her as a puppy. When she meets us at the door, it's still a full-force, bounding greeting. Door #2 is still magic. Her life counts in a way that she'll never know.
It's really easy to let the days busily slip by. How do I know if I'm making it count? I know it counts if I'm making things better for my family or for the world around me.
I keep a list of my most important business and personal goals in plain sight. Depending on the size of the goal, I aim to work on one each year.
How do I make it count in my business? I select projects and clients that inspire me. That gives me the most energy and drive to do my best work. I also delegate tasks so that I have more balance in my work and personal life. I aim for each hour of my work to make me better, more knowledgeable, and valuable to my clients.
Bexley has taught me these business lessons in her own loyal, friendly, loving way, and I'm forever grateful to her!
Amy Franko is the owner and principal learning designer of Amy Franko Consulting. Amy is a certified Book Yourself Solid ™ business coach. The group she's most passionate about serving is women who are solo service professionals. She uses a simple system of protocols specifically designed to bring more ideal clients into their business, even if marketing and selling isn't something they like to do. You can learn more about her by visiting her website www.amyfranko.com or following her on Twitter www.twitter.com/amyfranko.
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