This week is going to be shorter as I just need to complete the task. This week I got through a couple of books on raising puppies as we picked one up yesterday. As we are crate training, I’m exhausted and didn’t get much sleep. On top of this we’re going through a move right now and I was trying to get everything done prior to the dog coming home. This led to a lot more stress than I anticipated. The overall lack of responsibility was an interesting time in life. I kept thinking that the more we took on the more meaningful our lives would be, with time we will see.
Source: Indistractable – Nir Eyal, Julie Li
Lesson: Reframe your mindset to focus on what you want to get done. Distraction is an unhealthy escape from reality.
I think the habit authors, self help authors, and even some of the business gurus get it right when they make the comment about focus. This book was short and had some consistent points with the other authors I’ve been reading. Most of them state start with a dream. Then reverse engineer your life. A quote that I liked in this book was we are protective of our private property, but not our time. We need to utilize technology to prevent us from getting distracted. Use the barriers on the phone, use apps to prevent yourself from getting distracted online or in general.
Source: How to raise the perfect dog – Cesar Millan, Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution – Zak George.
Lesson: Consistency, control, compassion
Both of these books talked about the importance of consistency. I think like anything if you want to have a good relationship you need to put in the time over time. You need to schedule out time to take the dog for a walk. They like structure just like people do. They need boundaries, just like people do. Some want to take a more authoritarian approach and others want to do things more laid back or “natural.” The similarities to parenting books is pretty funny. Everyone has their opinions and there are probably some valid theories. I think the main goal that I have right now is just to love my wife and dog and to keep both of them fed, housed, and alive.
Seeking Progress 