On a coaching call the other day, I said something that was an "Ah-ha" moment for both of us: "I believe that you are focusing on your process goals, but I think you're measuring by outcomes."

The handler agreed, and we went on to unpack how this was showing up and...

When I talk to handlers, comparison often comes up in some form or another - which is why I talk about it as much as I do, I suppose. This weekend, while giving a seminar, another possible cause of comparison surfaced: We look to others when we don't have a good way of measuring our own...

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...

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...

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...

My social media post for today was "Don't forget to sing when you win." It's a line from the opening song in the show "Welcome to Wrexham."* 

I LOVE this reminder. At some point, nearly every coaching call includes interrupting my clients to celebrate...

You might be surprised, but no matter how important a particular goal is, you won't always be motivated to go after it. Most of the time, you won't be motivated at all.

No, I'm not trying to depress you. Motivation is an emotion, and relying on a feeling to achieve your goals...

Last week, I had a great conversation with a new coaching client, and we discussed an upcoming event. She said (something like), "I don't have any expectations, but I do have intentions." Brilliant! How perfect!

I've been on a bit of an expectation kick lately....

This month in the Q-Membership, we are talking about how we lie to ourselves when measuring our progress. The weird thing is, we don't lie to ourselves on purpose; we just aren't very honest about how we're doing.

For instance, we are much harder on ourselves than the facts show....

I haven't had a puppy in nearly seven years, and I forgot how unproductive they make you! LOL! Thank goodness for forced naptime!

But puppies come with a lot more than endless energy and sharp teeth; they come with a whole bunch of expectations.

Since we just chatted about ...

We are taught that this world is explainable and has a reason for everything. The moon's phases, weather, and even math (inside joke) have logical reasons for being. Then, a grade school teacher tells us that if we work hard, our efforts will be rewarded, and our parents back this up. Our lives...

Have you ever felt worse after a successful weekend of showing? Ever felt terrible though your dashboard is decorated with ribbons?

It's a weird feeling, but it happens more than you might think. We have a fantastic weekend only to wake up Monday with the after-trial blues. How could that...