Today, a client shared some advice she sought and received from another handler at a trial. She said the advice made sense to her logical brain. That simple sentence sparked an often-overlooked concept: when we ask emotional questions, we get emotional answers; when we ask rational...
I'm writing today's post in this sort of "in-between." I'm in between many handlers—and clients—coming home from the AKC Agility Nationals and my own preparation for my national specialty. So basically, expectations are flying!
My expectations are about the future, while...
I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but it's okay to forgive yourself. For mistakes made, for things not working out, or for the things you wish you could do over.
It's okay. You can let it go. You can forgive yourself.
You might be surprised to learn you're not alone in holding...
Whenever I hear someone talk about "self-sabotage," I think to myself, "At least I don't do that." However, upon just a smidge of reflection, I realize how wrong I am. Sigh.
Self-sabotage happens in lots of tiny ways. Sometimes, I frame it as "cutting corners" because the ways we...
Remember the story Three Little Bears and Goldilocks? One bed is too hard, one too soft, and the other "just right." I often use that blonde child's name as a shortcut when talking to clients about finding the right intensity or "edge." Too much or too little isn't good; you must find...
Because you are receiving this newsletter, I know you embrace process goals (I see you and appreciate you!). Yet, clarifying your process goals can be tough for some. So, I have a question: "What does success look like?"
This is a common question in the corporate world used to evoke clarity...
If you've been around me for a minute, you know that resilience is one of the most essential mindset skills. The reason, of course, is that "stuff" happens, and our dog lives don't always go according to plan. And that means we have to be good at recovering so we can focus on what we...
I consider February my anniversary month. I don't remember the exact day I launched The Q Coach, but I know it was this month, eight years ago! (Wow!)
There were two things I knew I wanted to address in the dog handler community: goal-setting and the mental game. Goal-setting...
When I think about what "takes me out" at a trial, it's usually because I've allowed my attention and energy to wander off in a not-so-good direction. Examples include: the time I obsessed about a fellow competitor's parking choice, letting myself get twisted up about my ring conflict and what...
Oh, the power of the downward spiral! Something "bad" happens in the ring, and then we come out and can talk about nothing other than the mistake. The emotion of the error spins up a frenzy that seems to leave an emotional mark long after the run. It takes on a life of its own, and down...
This past weekend, I gave a seminar to a small but powerful group of handlers. Eventually, the subject of confidence emerged. I shared my belief: the opposite of confidence is not insecurity but rather vulnerability.
It's potentially a hot take and likely not the definition the...
I spent the weekend glued to AKC.tv, trying to catch my clients' runs. If you were there, know that my dogs thought I'd unlocked a new level of insanity since I was simultaneously cheering and crying at the TV in between yelling about the livestreaming issues. (I'm complex, okay - ha). I was...
