If you’re a dog owner, you already know that they give us so much. Endless love, emotional support when we need it most, a warm body to snuggle up against on a cold day, and a whole lot more.
But did you know we can also take a hint from them when it comes to running a business?
That’s right! Read on to learn three things you can learn from your dog to help you become a better business owner.
Woof!
With adequate rest, you can be the best version of yourself.
Can you imagine a dog sleeping only 6 hours a night so they’ll have more time to work, work, work? The idea is preposterous! Dogs know that sleep is a top priority, and we would do well to take a hint from them in this regard. If you’re caught in a cycle of sleeping less so you can work more, hear this and hear it well: if you can change your habits and make sleep a priority, you’ll see just how much more productive you can be in those waking hours when your battery is fully charged. Then it’s a true win-win, for your body and for your clients.
For more: How Technology May Be Ruining Your Sleep
Burying your feelings helps no one.
Have you ever met a dog who was afraid to communicate when they met another dog or a human they didn’t like? Unlikely. This is because dogs know that burying their feelings helps no one. Similarly, if you have a client who is making you miserable, don’t suffer in silence! You always have options. You can communicate with them about your preferred work style. You can have a 2-way conversation to try to improve things. And if you feel it’s a truly terrible fit, you can “bless and release.”
For more: When to Fire a Client: 4 Signs it’s Time to “Bless and Release”
When it comes to trying out new relationships, trust your “nose.”
Just as a dog knows to trust his or her nose when it comes to… just about everything, you can do the same. Never forget that when you’re on a call with a prospective client, it’s not only them trying you on for size – it’s you trying them on for size too! Trust your intuition. If you feel energized and excited by talking to them (i.e., is your tail wagging?), go with it. But if you’re feeling tight in your chest and apprehensive for reasons you can’t quite identify, trust that too.
For more: Your Gut Is Talking To You
In Closing
Dogs can teach us so much. About unconditional love, commitment, and even now (as we’ve seen above), how to take better care of ourselves as business owners. All you have to do is pay attention 😉
