Do What You Were Built For
A moving video clip has me thinking today about “Playing to Our Strengths.” (I’ll share the link with you in just a moment, if you’d like to watch.) It’s an inspiring story about a service dog, trained from birth to do a particular job – a job he wasn’t entirely suited for. When he finds his service “niche,” the results are beyond awesome!
The same thing can happen to people. If we find ourselves in a bad fit, it’s like wearing shoes that pinch your toes. Off we go scrunching our toes – focused more on what is uncomfortable than on what is possible. All the training in the world won’t make those shoes fit better.
![iStock_000005223365Small[1]](http://www.dondiscumaci.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/iStock_000005223365Small1-150x150.jpg "iStock_000005223365Small[1]")
Sometimes I ask audience members, “If you could be any animal, what would you choose…and why?” It’s an interesting question; sometimes the responses are quite profound.
My favorite comes from a gentleman in Dallas. He said, “I’d choose the mountain goat. They are strong and surefooted. They go where others can’t or won’t. Most of all they enjoy it! Mountain goats love to do what they are built for…they love to climb.”
I would love to hear how you are playing to your strengths. What are you doing to find your service niche?
As promised, here’s the video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4
Remember you were designed for success and built to grow!
All the best,
Dondi
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 am
Dondi
Kudos for urging all to focus on “playing to strengths.”
We live in a world where, regretfully, so many of the activities revolve around hearing about our weaknesses and then trying to fix them.
I am convinced that most people can dramatically improve thier personal performance, and peace of mind, by shifting to a focus on leveraging one’s strengths.
It is wonderful to have someone with your stature and following carrying a message that could make such a difference for people of all ages, and from all walks of life.
Wishing you happy holidays and all the best in 2010.
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:47 am
Dave,
Thank you so much for your comments! What a pleasure to find you here.
(Dave Carpenter is a prolific author, inspiring speaker, well-known consultant and recognized humanitarian. He is passionate about helping companies and individuals to accelerate success.)
Highly recommend his 31 Day Success Plan for 2010. It’s not too late to begin! I am working my way through it, and it is fabulous.
Here’s the link http://accelerate-success.com/tips/category/personal-success/31-day-success-plan/page/3/
Thanks again Dave!
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Dondi,
Thanks for this post! I am so in alignment with what you shared here. I remember when I first saw that video. I felt like I was the dog. I pray that people will understand that they have options in their lives even when they can`t see them at first. We all have our true calling and until we have the faith to trust and step out into it… we will continue to wear those shoes that hurt our feet.
Live Full Out & On Purpose,
Susan
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Susan,
Thank you for your comment. You are so right. We do have options! Here’s to stepping into our destiny, wearing shoes that fit!
Dondi
February 1st, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Loved this email response from Ricochet, the SURFice dog featured in this blog. Here’s what he had to say:
Hello!! My name is Ricochet, and I’m the surfing dog with the video “From service dog to SURFice dog”
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4). I surf for fun, competition, and charitable causes!
I saw your post about the SURFice dog video, and wanted to thank you. Your posting has helped create awareness for my charitable causes, and I’ve raised over $8000 from the video so far. $3550 went toward a toy drive that resulted in over 630 toys for kids this past Christmas. The remainer of the funds are going toward a little six year old boy’s therapies who suffered a brain injury in a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of his parents.
I wanted to invite you to join my Facebook & Twitter pages, and visit my website!! The links are below. I would love to have you!!
Also, if you’d again like to forward the video link/URL to your contacts, post on facebook or Twitter, or embed the YouTube code on your website/blog, Feel free to do so! It’d be great, as it would continue to bring more awareness to the causes, while sharing some inspiration with anyone who could use a little!!
Thanks again, and here are my links… hope to see you soon!
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-Dog-Ricochet/178108649370?ref=ts
Twitter
http://twitter.com/SurfDogRicochet
Website
http://www.surfdogricochet.com