The Dog Star: Doing the Right Things Repeatedly
(The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, and steadfastness of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the lower and higher consciousness. – Astrological Definition)
Every morning Koufax and Buddy head for the kitchen door which leads to the backyard to take their morning constitutionals. And every morning, Buddy Beagle has a dog toy in his mouth, attempting to take it with him. He will repeat this continually through the day, every time he goes out.
Sometimes it’s a small squeaky toy, but sometimes it’s a big chewy thing, including the five-foot snake both of them play with. We grab the toy, and Buddy gives it up, because he knows he won’t be allowed out with it.
Nevertheless, about once a week, he gets away with sneaking it by us, and sometimes it’s not until the following morning that we find a soggy, mephitic toy which he hid somewhere the prior day. Through perseverance, craft, and a real belief in his abilities, he is rewarded often enough to make it worth his while to cheerfully keep trying.
I’m forever telling consultants that they have to continue to do the right things. In a world of instant gratification, I’m told that people are disappointed because after an interview, a speech, a published article, or an evening of networking, no one was at the door offering a check. If it were that easy, my career wouldn’t exist and you’d be reading a horoscope this morning instead of my blog.
In marketing and selling professional service, you have to do the right things repeatedly, tweaking them a bit as some work better for you, personally, than others. After a while (which may be a year) you will understand what works best for you in your marketplace with your value.
If you’re going to give up every time you’re rejected; or take it personally every time someone isn’t interested; or get depressed every time you don’t “win,” then you need a safer, more secure line of work. Being a cashier in a supermarket, driving a bus, or pumping gas come to mind. These are important jobs which we need, but the performers aren’t in them with the belief they will become wealthy.
Of course, if you’re in consulting and don’t believe you’re here to make your clients and yourself wealthy as a byproduct of the value you provide, then you’re just pumping ideas and cashing checks and driving in circles.
This morning, I found that big snake in the yard. Buddy seemed to be in an unusually good mood, even for him.
© Alan Weiss 2007. All rights reserved.
