I have had good reason to reflect on life in recent times. So many job advertisements call for people with passion and drive and yet there are numerous articles about burnout and job dissatisfaction. I am quite passionate and driven in certain areas of my life, but am aware of the need for enjoying the little things in life too. Sometimes I do a great job of that. At other times not so much!

One thing I would love to do is get a dog training/ behaviour business up and running, but not just any business. I would love to work with people who want to develop themselves.

If you’ve ever seen the TV programme ‘Undercover Boss’, the bosses go into their workplaces as starting staff members and realise just how difficult, boring, stressful etc it is to work in their firms.

When people have been ‘experts’ in their field, they can forget what it’s like to be a learner. In the drive for progress, making enough money and meeting family and work expectations etc, people may be too caught up in their busyness to make time for empathy, appreciation and relationships.

How can we slow down?

Training a dog can be difficult for any novice dog trainer – even the most highly ranked business leader. There are lessons to be learned from building relationships; developing communication skills as you try to see the animal’s point of view; going at the animal’s pace; being a complete novice in a safe, non-judgemental environment, and enjoying the development of new skills.

I was paid a great compliment recently, by my own dear husband. He told someone that although my way of training can take a long time, it usually sticks.

I would love the beneficial learning about ourselves to stick too.