Attachment
It is now known that petting dogs lower blood pressure, reduces stress and it stimulates the brain to release the 'feel good hormones' called Endorphins. Concentrations of β-endorphin, oxytocin, prolactin, β-phenylethylamine, and dopamine increased in both species during interaction. This has resulted in visits of Therapy Dogs to hospitals becoming a common event all over the world to help patients recover and heal. These “magical doggy moments” change lives. But, can a dog help the healthy executive focused upon his business goals? I think so too!
I truly believe that owning a dog can also have a profound effect on your performance at work, and in many other areas of your life. If you care for your friend and companion you know it loves nothing more than a good long walk. But, it is not the extra exercise that I believe delivers the value. It the actual ” walk time”. Walking the dog gives you this chance to think. Your pooch, (or in my case pooches), is quite happy to mooch around sniffing from pillar to post and doesn’t really need much focus or attention. This leaves you to enjoy the surroundings and drift off wherever you want. It is relaxing, enjoyable and also healthy. But, it can provide much more than that. It can be a time to reflect and think about work, your golf swing, your career, your relationship, whatever your are striving to achieve and improve.
Google give one day a week off to their employees just to think and play in an areas that interests them -called Innovation Time Off. Google's Vice President of Search Products and User Experience stated that her analysis showed that 50% of their new product originated from the 20% time. Sun Tzu stated that battles were won in the mind of the generals rather than on the battle field. Thinking is critical to your success. But, having the chance to just “sit back” and think does not come easy. In work, you are bombarded with in-coming emails, calls from the land line and your mobile, MSN chats, Skype, Facebook and Twitter updates, reminders of outstanding tasks popping up on the screen, meetings, text messages, co-workers needing answers - a million things that actually stop you thinking and keep you in the “real time”. At home it is the wife, the kids, watching your team on the TV, the door bell, the neighbours, no milk, a broken sink or toilet, mowing the lawn, cleaning the car, the pub calling out, etc, etc. Just no time to think!
So, the morning and evening walk you dog needs to poop means you now have that “thinking time”. You are immediately put in a relaxed state of mind by their wagging tail and their enormous enthusiasm and joy at just the sight of you putting your shoes on. They know its thinkies time. Also, the morning walk before work can help with your body clock and helps to “energizing you with sunshine” at the start of the day. These dog walks help review your day and plan for tomorrow or think about that burning issue. They allow you to “day-dream”
So, after the evening walk plus the early morning stroll you will arrive at work with energy, enthusiasm and you will be motivated to make things happen, whilst inspiring your colleagues or subordinates with your new thoughts, ideas, or that ideal solution to a current problem. Combine this with the pure emotional pleasures and joys of owning a dog and I sincerely believe that having a K9 work colleague will improve your team’s performance.
Terry Wilcox works for the Institute of Natural Excellence (www.i-ne.org)
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
