Diary of a Self-Employed Dog Trainer: Just Keep Swimming! It’s an Adventure!

Running a business takes a lot of work, most of which I had not done until I started a company. Due, at least in part, to the process of running a business while also trying to find out how to run a business, I often feel like I am swimming in an ocean. Much of it is gorgeous and full of life, but I frequently hit a wave and feel like I am drowning. I am sure I am not the only small business owner who feels like this, as I have personally met some of them. In some ways it is nice to know I am not alone, but in other ways I wonder how I am going to stand out in a sea of businesses all struggling for the same thing. But then I am reminded by those who I have been blessed to be surrounded by that I am unique because of my own outlook on life. The experiences I have are not the same as anyone else’s, and I offer a different perspective. So, if you are someone running a small business and feeling like you are drowning, you are not alone, and you can stand out because you are unique! I am also encouraged by two sayings that I am often reminded of. Read on to find out what they are; maybe they can help you too!

Just Keep Swimming

I love movies, I have always loved movies. They often offer some great life lessons that we can learn from if we are willing to see them. One of my favorites is the line from Dory’s song in Finding Nemo “Just Keep Swimming.” This line, and the song it belongs to, is a great piece of advice…just keep swimming. Just keep going, working hard, and persevering. This is something I work on every day and something that applies to training animals. In life and in dog training, it is important that we are willing to keep trying. If nothing else, keep trying. We need to take breaks when we need them, or when the dog needs them, but we should keep trying and never give up! We also need to find others to surround ourselves with who will help us when we are too tired to keep going and remind us that we can do things when we have convinced ourselves that we cannot. And if you need a little encouragement, you can come here and read this blog. I hope reading it helps you as much as writing it helps me!

It’s An Adventure

My dad has always told me that life is an adventure! In these moments when we are stuck and feeling like we are not accomplishing anything, we are in the midst of an adventure! Adventures are hard, and often tiring, but when we look back on them, they often offer the most rewarding memories. The best adventures are the ones that are challenging. This is something we need to remember when we are wondering what to do next and how to make things work the way we want them to work. So, to everyone out there trying to make it in this world, remember, life is an adventure!

When you feel like you are drowning, persevere! Take a break if you need one, but don’t give up! You are not alone in this adventure of running a business! You are not alone in this adventure called life!

Reference: Finding Nemo Pixar Movie Song “Just Keep Swimming”