The Dog Star: Easing Into the Turns

The Dog Star: Easing Into the Turns

When the dogs and I go for coffee in the mornings, the two of them race out of the bedroom and down the hall. They come to a 90-degree left turn to another hall in order to reach the stairs leading to the next level. The floors are wood and the dogs’ claws grow quite rapidly, undermining traction, despite paw pads.

Buddy learned years ago to ease into the turn. Bentley, seeking to be alpha dog and lead the way, used his only speed—flat out—and caused a wreck in the turn that would have brought the crash trucks out at Indy. After several of these collisions, he now eases into the turn. He reduces speed and, with his higher center-of-gravity than Buddy’s, leans into it.

Slowing down and adjusting your position can often accelerate your progress. I’m a believer in speed, but more so in success. Once you know the turn, you can adjust in advance. If you are unfamiliar with the turn, you have to be more agile and circumspect as you enter it.

I suggest that you continually test the road—see buyers, submit proposals, make speeches, try new methodologies—so that there are few surprises. After all, I’ve never encountered a road that goes straight up or forms a wall. After a while, if you drive often enough, you can accurately judge what’s coming. Therefore, no objection should throw you, no environment should threaten you, no buyer should intimidate you.

Of course, some of you may be on an eternal straightaway, avoiding all risky turns, and headed to nowhere. Perhaps now is a good time for a pit stop.

© Alan Weiss 2013