My Inspiration for 5 Must-Have Qualities May Surprise You

I’m sure you’ve heard of art imitating life, but what about life imitating dogs?

It just so happens that we’re in the middle of the dog days of summer—officially the hot and humid season between the Fourth of July holiday and August 11.

This forty-day season dates back to the Roman Empire. Maybe that’s why men and women wore loose-fitting skirts and sandals!

Kidding aside, dogs have a big place in my heart. Well, one specific dog—Walter. He’s my mastiff-Great Dane who’s all wag and no bark.

On our daily walks, I got to thinking, “What if people imitated all the great qualities of dogs?”

1. Affectionate – What if we shared our carefree and always-on-the-ready affection like dogs do? Why not model The Gratitude Habit’s Chester Elton (a.k.a. the Guru of Gratitude) and dream up something you could give away when you notice something you’re grateful for? Elton likes to give away polished rocks that say gratitude on them. He always keeps a few in his pocket. “You’d think I was giving away Fabergé eggs when you see the looks on people’s faces,” says Elton. Crosswalk attendants, baristas, TSA agents—you name it; if you’ve done something that Elton notices, he’s sharing his thanks. But don’t let the rocks stop you; sharing your affection through gratitude is a great start.

2. Intelligent – Whether we realize it or not, a dog’s intelligence is something we appreciate. It doesn’t take long before they can sense what we need or that we could use some friendly distraction—not to mention understanding the phrase “Do you want to go for a walk?” Do you exercise your intuition with friends, family, or someone in need? When is the last time you applied your emotional intelligence to chat up the cashier because it looked like she was having a rough day or noticed that your friend’s usual happy disposition was down in the dumps?

3. Loyal – Not every furry friend is among the smartest breed, but we love how they brighten every day just the same. You don’t have to possess bloodhound smarts to offer your time, talents, and resources when it counts. In a recent interview with the bestselling author of The Gift of Influence, Tommy Spaulding said he likes to wake up and think about how he might help someone in need and actually “run toward the pain.” He explains that too often we find ourselves saying “Let me know if you need anything,” when what we should be doing is offering our unique smarts and superpowers to step up in a way that’s meaningful to someone else.

4. Energetic – We could all use a bit of energy to get through the day, and why not channel a little cocker spaniel (that’s a high-energy dog for you cat owners) to motivate the people around you. I can’t think of a time when someone said, “Geez, I wish they were moodier and more sloth-like.” I might be slightly biased with this one because my audiences tell me that they like my energy and humor. This trait is part of my DNA, but that doesn’t mean you should fake enthusiasm if it doesn’t come naturally. Your enthusiasm can show in other ways, such as in the attention you give to someone when they’re talking or the follow-through you offer when providing a service.

5. Easy to groom – Okay, this last one is just for fun but still important. Are you easy to groom? You should be! This was on the list for great qualities in a dog, but why not apply our best grooming selves to this standard? It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, and you’ve got to make a great impression. Just ask my soon-to-be-released podcast guest Sylvie di Giusto, author of The Image of Leadership. Self-care is important not only for physical longevity but also for your mentality. When we look good, we feel great. When we feel great, our self-esteem gets a boost and causes us to perform well. And when we perform well … you get the idea. This is a must-have in my world—just look at number forty-five on my list of “Fifty-One Things I Want in a Man” (chapter 15 in my book, Positively Altered).

I hope this list of five must-have qualities has provided a little levity but also food for thought as you make your way through the last two weeks of the dog days of summer. The next time you look into the eyes of your dog or someone else’s pet, ask yourself if you measure up to their natural-born qualities. If not, start working like a dog to get there!

Be positively altered,

Dr. Cindy

P.S. Need an unfiltered yet uplifting read? Download my new book in audio format! The narrator is yours truly, and even my children make a special appearance.

P.P.S. Already loved the book? I’d be grateful for your review at Amazon! Or Goodreads!