09 Jan Business Lessons Straight from the Lab
Posted at 16:10h
in Business Couples
We’ve just taken down the Holiday decorations and packed them safely away for another year. The last to be wrapped in tissue is always our Golden Retriever-slash-Angel tree topper in memory of Max, a sweet girl who was part of our family for almost 13 years. Our Chocolate Lab Charlie is pretty special too, though admittedly she’s a bit more devil than angel. Raising her was a joy, a trial, and a reminder of a few things that are important in life… and business.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. When a new puppy arrives, your schedules are completely out of whack. You’re not getting enough sleep. You’re eating dinner in shifts. You can’t walk 10 feet without stepping on a squeaky toy. But it’s only temporary. What’s a few months of this in comparison to a decade of loyal companionship? Sometimes, putting up with the small stuff leads to bigger, better stuff.
- When you’re hungry, eat. When you’re tired, sleep. Have you ever heard of a puppy being “burned out”? No, we haven’t either. That’s because puppies are completely uncomplicated. Every day, they make time to eat, sleep, exercise, learn new things, and spend time with their friends. And they get up early the next day, refreshed and ready to do it all over again.
- If you’re barking, you might be bored. Of course, you might be tired, or frustrated, or just trying to get someone’s attention, but that’s no excuse. If you find yourself snapping at your partner or barking out orders, give yourself a time out or take a walk and cool down.
- Be friendly to everyone you meet. This sounds a lot like an “all I need to know I learned in kindergarten” kind of thing. Nevertheless, it’s true. Plus, you never know whose lawn you might need to borrow on your next walk.
- Forgive and forget. Housetraining a puppy can be pretty frustrating. Accidents will But when a puppy slips up, it’s just that – an accident. So just clean it up and move on. Puppies don’t hold grudges and neither should we.
This Week:
When are you each at your best? Or at your worst? What patterns can you identify that if you were more conscious of them, would bring more ease into your relationship?
Focus your energy on what’s important – including the people you live and work with.
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