Quiz

Win your challenges with our unique solutions

Want solutions to the problems that keep you awake at night? That’s where Karmic Ally Coaching helps you create breakthroughs with customized radical and innovative solutions to issues that are keeping you stuck in a rut in the shortest time possible. Believe it or not, even high achievers hit roadblocks in their careers or on their journey to creating a business that expresses their Soul’s Vision and Purpose. Every transformation requires a willingness to accept change. Are you ready to embrace change? Find out with Karmic Ally Coaching's special quiz - Fearing Change or Confident to Win Challenges!
 

Problem Solving Tips from Coco the Cock a Tzu

This post has already been read 4054 times!

Problem solving tips from a Canine Coach

 

 

Let me say this right off the bat, if anyone you know says they don’t have any problems, they’re fibbing – big time. We all have problems at some point or the other.

The magnitude may vary or we might have taught ourselves to reframe the situation to make it seem like a learning opportunity or a challenge to be overcome.  A problem is a problem. It’s how we deal with it that matters and that’s where my furry companion Coco the Cock A Tzu has it all worked out.

I often look at my current canine companion Coco and think, that the saying ‘it’s a dog’s life’ is way off the mark. I mean, she has it all – a loving family, plenty of toys, good nutritious meals, visits to the vet when she is not well in an owner driven car and a housing complex filled with people who worry if she is not out with me.

The furry child’s antics amuse my friends and I’ve had people tell me that Miss Coco deserves her own Facebook Fan Page.

But I realise that her life is good because of her perspective and attitude towards life and the challenges that she faces as a sole dog in a house filled with humans. She knows inherently that there are no problems, only solutions and deals with issues quite differently than we humans do.

If there is a puddle of water on the morning walk path – no issue- she just looks at it and changes the direction of her walk slightly to avoid getting her paws wet and continues.

This last example I think is part of her learning. As a puppy, if she saw a rain puddle, she’d jump right in and get wet which meant she’d be put in the bathroom sink and have her paws washed by a grumpy pet parent which isn’t as much fun as her regular baths in my lap which are preceded by grooming to get matted hair out and the entire pre-bath ritual.

More reason why I can genuinely say Coco knows the art of problem solving.

We all have problems in our everyday lives. Some are small ones that are dealt with easily so that they don’t appear to be problems and some are of a greater magnitude that require us to use our problem solving skills. It all comes down to our approach.

 

3 Canine Problem Solving Skills even Humans can use

A dog approaches a problem with an open mind and engages in possibility thinking.  As humans, many of us approach issues with annoyance and a negative attitude thinking of it as a hindrance rather than an opportunity to learn and grow. We set ourselves up for failure even before we begin.

When Coco’s ball rolls under the sofa, she gets excited and tries various options to retrieve the ball. Each time this happens, she finds new ways to solve her dilemma. She is persistent.

As a human, we most probably get frustrated if we cannot solve an issue immediately and look for easy short term solutions rather than looking at the big picture.

I’ve shared my observations with other canine companions and it appears their pet buddies do the same. I’m convinced Coco & furry company can teach us humans a thing or two. Problem solving is not only a valuable skill; it is also an art and based on my observations, I suggest the following subset of skills that are required.

 

3 canine skills for problem solving

 

Problem Solving Skill 1: Creative Thinking

The first skill is creative thinking. You can call it thinking out of the box. The ideas will flow if you engage your imagination during a brainstorming session. Write down your ideas on a piece of paper.

 

Problem Solving Skill 2: Objective Evaluation

The second step is to check each option that you have written for sound reasoning and weed out the unachievable options. Make sure that you are objective in your approach.

 

Problem Solving Skill 3: Open mind

The third and most important step is to approach each problem that you encounter with an open mind and positive attitude. That is the only way you will not only find solutions but better ones that work.

Now for the humans to prove that we too know how to solve problems.

Have any tips you’d like to share? Or a nugget of what your pet friend –dog, cat, gold fish or turtle has taught you? Do share with Coco and me in the comments box below.

PS. Coco doesn’t coach but her pet parent mentored by this wise little dog does!

 

Sometimes, the only way to solve a problem is to prepare for change. Do you find it easy to adapt to new circumstances? Find out your change management style with The Karmic Ally Coaching Quiz by clicking here or on the image below. It’s on the house!

 

Change management quiz invitation

 

 

 

Written By: Vatsala Shukla

 

 

 

 

30 Responses to “Problem Solving Tips from Coco the Cock a Tzu”

  1. Pamela Mills says:

    We love our furry family member and he teaches us about life too. When he wants something he speaks up and lets us know. When there is a squirrel on our property it is his job to make sure the squirrels knows this is his land. He doesn’t usually have a care in the world but at the end of the day he wants to be on our laps and give us love. We humans need to be more like our furry loved ones.
    Thanks for your words of wisdom.

    • Karmic Ally says:

      Thank you for sharing the activities of your furry family member, Pamela. Looks like he wants to be in the bosom of his family after all the hard work he does protecting your property from trespassing squirrels. 🙂

  2. Barbara Parcells says:

    I’ve often believed that if we could see the world through the eyes of our pets, we’d have a greater appreciation for life and a keener sense of wisdom when it comes to how we navigate the world.

    • Karmic Ally says:

      I agree Barbara. Each of my pets has given me the lesson of appreciating life and living in the moment. If only we humans would listen. 🙂

  3. Thanks for highlighting these three great problem-solving skills! The art of problem solving is really about focusing on task without despair. Last year I got a kick out of some commercial that showed a dog with a large branch in her/his mouth attempting to cross over a narrow bridge. Since the branch ends extended past the width of the bridge, it was impossible. It took awhile but the dog finally figured out that she/he needed to move sideways in order to get across. So much fun to watch and Miss Coco got it right: Persistence!!

    • Karmic Ally says:

      Absolutely, Barb! This little girl knew how to solve problems alright. I wish I could see the commercial you mentioned. It’s brilliant in message and marketing!

  4. Heather Marie says:

    A wonderful and blessed perspective. To not see everything as a “problem” in a negative way. Light, love, positivity. Being Grateful for life. In perfect synchronicity with my thoughts today.

    • Karmic Ally says:

      Delighted to read your comment Heather Maria. The Universe guides us to what we need to know in mysterious and wonderful ways.

  5. Thanks Vatsala for this post.

    There are so many lessons we can learn from our pets! I enjoyed reading the problem solving skills you have learned from Miss Coco. I know from my years of having cats. I have learned how to live in the moment, be curious, independent and seek more balance.

    Many Blessings!
    Lisa

    • Karmic Ally says:

      Our pets do teach us valuable life and resilience lessons, Lisa. I often think they are mini Zen Masters sent to teach us how to live.

Meet your coach

I believe the world would be a better place if high achieving professionals accepted setbacks and challenges to their careers as Wake Up Calls to embark on a Journey where their empowered course correcting actions create a New World Order that encompasses achieving their career aspirations & potential with authentic life balance.

If you’re a driven, passionate, talented and ambitious professional  who’s hit a speed breaker in your business or career and want to create your desired breakthrough to reclaim control of your situation, then you’ve come to the right place because we can work together on customized strategies and tactics that deliver results.

When my clients first reach out to me, they are not in a very happy place, needing clarity about themselves, their desires, chosen vocation and what will give them peace of mind. They are drawn to me for the very reasons that I highlight in Who Is Karmic Ally Coaching.

Lack of recognition at work, inability to project themselves with confidence and frustration are just some of their professional problems that are playing havoc with other areas of their life. They know they need to take radical steps to change the status quo but they also know they need support and accountability to get them their desired result.

I really get it, because I’ve experienced that dark night of the Soul. I know firsthand the outcome of getting lost in my work rationalizing decisions that were detrimental to other aspects of my life.

Like you, I’ve struggled with and won battles of stress management, corporate politics, life balance and career decisions to emerge in a place where I can confidently say that I live my desired life according to my personal Manifesto and have created a business that provides me with a platform for my desired lifestyle and self-expression for myself. I want that for you too!

I adhere to the Certified Coaches Alliance Code of Ethics and Standards. A copy is available on request.
1st place BCB 2012
Email: Vatsala(at)karmicallycoaching(dot)com Phone:91 9818517664
error: Content is protected !!