What do you think a goat could teach you about the habits of successful people? When Ryan accompanied his friend Marnie to an animal shelter to pick out a dog, he had no idea he was going to end up learning life and business lessons from a goat. As it turned out, Marnie didn’t adopt a dog. She ended up getting a goat, instead, from a recently closed dairy farm. (Marnie lives in a rural area, and loves goat milk.) The very next day, Ryan came across this article by a coach and first-time self-help author. Though written for coaches, it offers wisdom that can be helpful to you if you’re in business. No matter what kind of business you’re in. They climb to the highest reaches of their goat jungle gym, nap on top of the huge recycle bins, and test the severity of the current to our electric fences. These goats teeter on the brink of danger at least ten times a day. They are fearless, just like we coaches need to be. Ask the tough questions. Point out the dumbfounding assertions. Remain fearless. 2. GOAT: It’s All About The Food VS. COACH: It’s All About The Motivation As coaches, we must remember that all individuals are motivated by something. Our job is to define exactly what that is – for our clients. Look for it and listen. It will become clear. Keep their motivators in mind constantly. 3. GOAT: I Open At My Own Pace! VS. COACH: The Client Opens When Ready! As coaches, we have the incredible opportunity to work with all sorts of unique characters. I believe the aforementioned situation is the exact same dance we maintain with our clients. They are excited to start each session. We open ourselves. We challenge their space. Once ready, they open. This is one of the most extraordinary gifts – to witness clients transform right before our very eyes. 4. GOAT: Be Master Escape Artists VS. COACH: Be Ready For Anything! We, as coaches, get to embody the definition of determination and dedication, mirroring my goats. Therefore, as coaches, we must be ever-ready for whatever happens and continue to stay open and flexible at ALL times, no matter what. 5. GOAT: Just Walk It Off VS. COACH: Never Take Anything Personally Now, that’s inspiring. I invite you to go even one step further with your clients. This is your friendly reminder never to take anything personally. It’s all about them. Not about you. 6. GOAT: Be Curious About Everything VS. COACH: Be Curious About Everything Write this down. Be curious 100 percent of the time. Ask questions. Pry. Challenge them. Be confident. Be curious. 7. GOAT: Be Playful All The Time VS. COACH: Never Take Anything Too Serious If my goats can find intellectual/spiritual freedom within their fenced domain, it is more than possible for ALL of us to find freedom within our abstract “caged” minds. They never take anything too serious. Words to live by and remember! Every once in a while, remind your clients that freedom is theirs to behold at all times. We all need to be reminded that sometimes life is just not that serious. If we watch, goats – or really all animals for that matter — can teach us great wisdom. Goats are not the smartest animals, but they sure are among the happiest I have ever experienced first-hand. We can all take a lesson from them. I continue to be awe-inspired and learn from them each and every day. I am blessed to have these zen-filled and magnificent creatures in my backyard. Challenge question: From where do you draw your insights and inspiration for coaching? By Seth Santoro, originally posted on April 19, 2013, by International Coach Federation under the title Seven things we coaches can learn from goats. Seth’s first book, How I Learned to Smile From the Inside, is available on Amazon. Don’t you agree, Seth’s insights fron watching goats demonatrate the habits of successful people? On top of that, here’s another thing to consider: his article is an excellent example of how powerful animal stories can be to get your message across—to your prospects, your clients or customers, your boss or partner if you have one, your spouse—in short, anyone you need to communicate with. Now, aside from goats, where can you find the most powerful information to help you adjust your thinking and behavior for success? I recommend Robert Ringer’s book, Million Dollar Habits: 10 Simple Steps to Getting Everything Your Want. It may be twenty years old, but it’s packed with power for life and business that’s as evergreen as Seth’s goat wisdom—and far more all-encompassing. If you’re in business, this book will be invaluable to you. (If you’re not convinced, read the Amazon reviews of the book.) Pawsitively dedicated to boosting your business,
Just like our pot-bellied pig neighbor, Delilah, Vinnie and Trixie will do anything for food. Though these kosher herbivore creatures might have different tastes from each other, Vinnie and Trixie have one thing in common: nothing motivates them like food.
Whenever Vinnie and Trixie hear the door open to the backyard, they always come over to the entrance of their pen. However, once you hop over the fence into their space, they back away slightly. When they are ready, they approach wearily, slowly, throw their necks in the air and get right up in your space. That’s their way of hugging.
Goats can escape from any fence, any pen, or any situation if they feel threatened. It is incredible to watch them scale a six foot fence with just two steps (or hops, rather).
Trixie likes to test her agility every time we turn around. When she gets hurt physically or emotionally, she makes a little goat-noise squabble, shares her woe with Vinnie for a two-second bit, and then walks and shakes it off.
Goats are curious 100 percent of the time. They explore. They circumvent. They plot. Vinnie and Trixie carry within them a great light of curiosity and it’s infectious.
Vinnie and Trixie constantly act as if life is just one big playful recess. Even though they are literally “fenced in” behind my house, they embody the true meaning of freedom. 
Chiwah Carol Slater
The Pet Story Passionista
Founder, PetWrites.com, AWriteToKnow.com, NewHealingSolutions.com
Support Desk: petwrites@gmail.com
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