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.

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!

Written By: Vatsala Shukla

During the Aura session of one of my Creative Visualization Programs, we had a discussion on negative vibrations that some people emit which can bring down our vibration level and affect our ability to attract good abundance into our lives.

One participant spoke about a dear friend whose phone calls meant discussing issues that left the listener drained and low while the friend felt much better- a clear case of low and negative energy being transferred.

Avoiding the friend was not an option although the participant had started to limit the calls. The Group worked on solutions which were effective and today I am going to share one that had consensus and does not require a belief in Law of Attraction or Creative Visualization.

It is a simple way to find and exude happiness around you – The Power of Appreciation.

Focusing on the small things that make Life beautiful

In simple words, practice appreciating all that is good in your life and all that is going well. Appreciate your family, your friends, your job and anything that you know makes your life better because there are many that do not have what you do.

For example, when you receive your pay-slip and notice that there is a higher deduction for tax; appreciate the fact that you have the job and are earning an amount that has moved you to a higher tax bracket. It will put a spring in your step whether you believe that it will attract more money and more tax!

Now think about making your environment more conducive to happiness. When was the last time you said something nice to a family member, a friend or a colleague and really meant it? If you cannot remember, then it is time to do some sincere, genuine appreciation. If you cannot think of anything to say; how about a Thank You? It works too, you know.

The other person feels appreciated and may reciprocate with appreciation or may not. So what? You will feel good for doing well without expecting anything back in return.

If the thought of vocalizing appreciation makes you uncomfortable, then use the Gratitude List to assist in reframing your thoughts.

Some of us, including myself do it last thing at night while reviewing the day. It is interesting how an otherwise bad day could have had something good in it. Positivity reigns supreme and a good night’s rest is assured.

Alternatively, start your day by thinking of 3 things that you are grateful for or which you appreciate.

How about appreciating the fact that you will be driving to work in your car rather than using public transport or appreciating that you got up early enough to read the newspaper or sip the morning tea in peace?

Starting your day with appreciation shifts your mindset into positivity and abundance mode which means you are a happier person and attract more happiness through the course of the day.

Besides, whatever may happen during the day, you can handle it since you got off to a good start.

Better still, take the late Wayne Dyer’s advice:

“Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe.”

Try it for size and remember to come back to this post and share your experience!

Changing a habit or attitude can be daunting at times. How good are you with change management?

Start your journey with The Karmic Ally Coaching Experience  Change Management Quiz by  clicking here or on the image below. It’s on the house!

Written by: Vatsala Shukla

Nice Flower by George Hodan