Who let the dogs out?

I heard about a doctor who said to a patient regarding a longer-term problem,  "what works best is to surround your problem with many barking dogs." What he meant was: some medication (woof), a change in diet (growl), and more exercise (bow-wow).

I've turned this very smart thought over and over in my mind, trying to distill the doctor's insight into a clear and simple message about problems.  Especially problems that are not run-of-the-mill. I'm talking about the confusing, complicated or even vaguely defined problems where this isn't one answer or a single treatment.

As a coach, conversations I have with clients touch on a wide range of problems -- career challenges, marital problems, lifestyle issues. Typical health and wellness examples? People want to lose weight, exercise more, reduce their stress and anxiety, or drink and smoke less.

Even for the motivated person - or dog - change isn't easy or quick!

Everyone has their own way of making changes and addressing problems. But, in general, surrounding the matter at hand with a pack of barking dogs is a useful way to diversify your solutions:

• the woofs keep you alert so you don't slip into inertia;
• the growls add a rightful note of fear to the proceedings; and
• the bow-wows keep you moving ahead.

If you need some help letting your dogs out - to surround your problems - contact me.

Coach Minda