I was bitten by a dog this week.
Not seriously and, given the circumstances, I don’t expect to be foaming at the mouth anytime soon.
And, in the dog’s defense, it was mostly my fault.
I was visiting my client Paul at his office Monday afternoon. As we were exchanging greetings, I was happily surprised to see a smallish, black dog stroll by.
I’m a big fan of clothing-free workspaces and so I leaned over to scratch him (the dog, not Paul).
He seemed to like it, so I did what I always do with my dog: I put my face right up to his while scratching him behind both ears.
In hindsight, pretty dumb with a dog I didn’t know. But still fine.
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In fact it wasn’t until about ten minutes later, when the dog walked through our meeting and I put my hand out, that he nipped my arm.
Nothing terrible, but enough to leave a couple of marks, right through my heavy sweater.
That’s when the obvious finally dawned on me: Not all dogs are the same.
My dog Abbie, for example, is not the least bit aggressive.
You can pull on her ears; play tug of war with her favorite toy; insert your favorite child and/or body part in her mouth, and she will make no move to harm you.
And so over the past 10+ years of living with Abbie, I’ve literally let my guard down around all dogs, resulting in Monday’s incident. (Note to Paul: You will be hearing from my attorney.)
One bright spot, though: It woke me up regarding my business.
Here’s what I mean…
Over the past 15 years working as a solo, I’ve come to do things a certain way.
I have a consistent approach to the way I write proposals, organize my web site, market my products, invoice my clients, package my services, publish my newsletter, etc. … most of which haven’t changed – or even been thought about – for years.
There’s some efficiency in this, of course; you’ll never get anything done if you have to reinvent everything, every day.
But, like a man who’s come to treat every dog the same – regardless of size, type or circumstance – there’s a cost to the, “that’s the way we do it around here,” tunnel vision that I’ve developed.
It means I overlook potential improvements; ignore new opportunities; and continue to do things that, while they may have once made perfect sense, no longer do.
And that’s why for 2016, I’ve decided that I will no longer bite visitors to my office.
Not only that, I will focus on reinventing the way I do business, with a particular emphasis on breaking old patterns and seeking new, previously ignored, opportunities.
I expect to get more done, earn more money and increase my overall work satisfaction. I’m kind of looking forward to my new adventure too.
And speaking of big plans for the new year, post your own, original haiku describing how you intend to improve your business in 2016 in our comments section below (along with any other, completely irrelevant thoughts).
I’ll pick the one I like most and will send one lucky winner a year’s supply of dog food. I mean, an official blue penguin USB drive.
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My haiku:
I shall remember
The advice I give clients:
Market without pause
You work fast, my friend. And well done too! A definite contender.
new year on the way
exciting for our business
coming soon to you
Nice!
My effort to win
A penguin USB stick
Will no doubt fail
I suck at haiku
But I can hope for Christmas
Generosity 🙂
A contest entry about the contest! Clever indeed.
Plan and stay focused
Get regular exercise
Live the golden rule
That one is poster-worthy, I think, Steve!
Network twice as much
Ask what problems must be solved
Starbucks will prosper
That last line is talking directly to me, Harold.
Me too!!
They finally just opened one in my town. I practically hugged them the day it happened!
Great, inspiring article Michael. Just what I needed today.
A change of venue:
New brand strategy takes flight
Smiling shore to shore
Brought to you today by Bad Poets On The Lake.
You may get kicked out of the bad poets society with that one, Diane!
Haiku:
Solar power
The sun peeking through the blinds
Wake up happy
Energy from inside
New ideas for this new year
Family and business
Love it!
Go get another client
Follow up without being silent
Be are real go-getter
Continue tweaking the funny, video newsletter
Be fat and happy, not happy and fat
Listen intently, to one Michael Katz!
Playing to my ego with that last one, Charles (a very effective strategy). All great.
Excited to see your fresh new ideas, even if it meant someone had to bite you.
Funny, I wrote a blog this week on a similar theme, which is coming out in today’s newsletter! Great minds…
Here’s my haiku:
No hiding, doubting
Now: gratitude, abundance
Big, bold, confident
Extra credit for all those multisyllabic words, Rachel!
Woot!
I’ve just found my niche!
Work to become an expert,
Confidence will grow!
That about sums it up right now! Except for the fact that I’m doing this around my (exhausting) teaching job, but I’ve chosen to focus this haiku on my forward movement, rather than my frustrations.
A good focus to have, Joyce!
Expand and connect
While staying true to my heart
With much grace and ease
P.S.
All I really want
For Christmas is a Penguin
Drive (or a llama)
I like them both, Dana!
Improving business –
Looking at things a new way
To learn more, earn more!
I think that sums up my 2016!
New Year here again.
Resolutions inspire change.
Business renewed.
I like it, Ellen!
Narrow my focus
And choose a product to launch
Then launch it I will*
*Mixing my haiku with a bit of Yoda syntax, in honor of the opening day of Star Wars 🙂
Strong within this one, the haiku force is.
Haiku for The New Year
Look upward to sky
Face winds of change and challenge
Navigate deftly
Transitioning sales
DVD license streaming
Delicate balance
I really like the specificity of #2!
A Haiku for 2016
Look inside, darling
For the light you seek, follow
the flickering flame
Thank you for this FUN contest, Michael!
Kitto
And thank you for playing, Kitto! (And good advice, too.)
I love Penguins
I love writing words
I love expanding words for clients.
I love cute disguises
I love smiles
I love joyous Penguins full of words
(I love Penguins so that I HAD to capitalize it.)
And we Penguins appreciate it, Myla!
Great contest!
My haiku:
Grass peeks through snow’s veil
As I set my writing sail
To catch a fair wind.
Thanks!
Gina
Ooo, I like that one a lot. I’m actually looking forward to some snow, believe it or not.
Thank you! I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for the newsletters — I always look forward to reading them. Happy Holidays! 🙂
Make things more simple
Linear steps towards my goals
You should let me win
Ha ha, Alisa! I’d have been disappointed if my main haiku buddy were not playing!
2016:
-Remember that today is a gift, things can always be worse and
-When the going gets tough, there’s always a new bourbon to try.
Send the penguin drive regular mail, no need for express delivery….
Is that what they mean by “the assumptive close,” Dave? (Bourbon in the mail soon, either way….)
Workplace dynamics
Are better when you practice
Graceful Leadership
I caught the bug and couldn’t stop with just one!
Share dog-inspired
Leadership lessons online
Through new videos
Not quite as eloquent as some of your other entries, but I had fun! Happy New Year to all!
Great entries, Robin! (It’s kind of hard to stop once you get started with these.)
Nothing better than dog sense!
A new year to plough
Sow seeds, water, rest, and reap
Success, I avow
P.S. Thanks for the challenge!
Well played, Theresa!!
Deal with every customer the way I perceive you do with us: transmitting my message and providing my services from the bottom of my heart, plenty of light and great and honest wishes! Thanks for all, Mr. Penguin 😉
You’re welcome, Fernando! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.