If there’s one thing we cannot master in a crash course or 2-day boot camp it’s developing an amicable, easy-going personality, and stellar EQ. These are skills that take patience and consistency, but the real test is through real-world practice only a handful are willing to face.
You can read all the books in the world on people skills but if you cannot practice on the street and be okay with making a fool of yourself and being embarrassed or awkward at least daily, then you will only get so far. As they say, if you’re not getting rejected daily, you aren’t trying hard enough.
Recently one Sunday evening, I came across the 60 minutes segment, “Survival of the Friendliest” on domesticated dogs. As a human’s best friend, we can learn a lot from these furry pets, not only on how they’ve evolved and survived but what they truly possess deep down to become the most affectionate domesticated animal in our homes.
While watching, it dawned on me that dogs and humans are extremely similar and our personalities have allowed us both to survive and thrive! Certain characteristics and behaviors dogs embody help them live longer, happier, healthier lives which all can be followed by their owners as well.
When it comes to the real world, it’s ironic the most useful and influential skills are oftentimes the most basic and simple ones that date back to ancient Kindergarten. Sadly as we age and study the books, they are oftentimes overlooked but needed to be reminded of more than ever in every area of life to succeed.
As investors, knowing how to react, what we can control, and when to block our emotions from decisions can make all the difference between being miserable or joyful, wealthy or poor. Even the most experienced portfolio managers, hedge funds, and equity researchers with all resources, terminals, and spreadsheets at their disposal can’t predict the markets and where the S&P 500 will close by Dec 31st but the ones that keep their emotions at bay and ego in check stay the course.
More often than not, the most cliche or basic things in life are not only the most useful but make our lives easier too, especially since pretty much anything in life is negotiable.
Why Focusing on Your Dog’s Behaviors Could Help You Live Longer
Animals and humans have a lot in common. After all, we are animals, sometimes wild ones too! Maybe that’s why we get along so well or because most animals don’t talk back to humans and they are simply easier to get along with!
When it comes to making a decision on whether to get a pet, a bunny to a cat, lizard or dog, having them as a source of comfort and fun to live healthier, happier lives is top of mind.
Although it takes a lot of work and just like with a baby, new owners don’t realize how much work it takes until a few weeks in, the comfort and joy is priceless as they become key parts of our lives.
Pets, specifically dogs possess a unique quality that as humans, we can learn from which includes being active, speaking less, listening more, having a goldfish kind of memory to not take everything so seriously, and most importantly, working on being helpful and in service of others, a universal skill we could all work on.
I find the less I focus on myself, the happier I am in general since I’m not warped up in my own reality. Plus life gets real boring if it’s all me me me all the time.
Although your doggie may seem like all they want to do all day is sleep and eat, they’re really there to protect and watch out for you.
Personality Obsessed
According to numerous studies, not only are the physical benefits of having a pet tremendous for owners who may be looking to shed a couple of pounds and become the fittest neighbor in town simply by going on leisurely strolls twice a day with the pug, but there are powerful mental benefits as well, not just in the ways we normally expect.
Back to the 60 Minutes report mentioned earlier, researchers had found that populations of wolves that were interested in going through human garbage and “feeding off scraps” became domesticated and friendlier this way over time.
This was a hidden advantage to becoming less ‘wolfy’ and more civilized in some sense. They abandoned the ‘aggressive’ hunting and gathering personality and instead became more friendlier, giving themselves a massive advantage towards a healthier, safer, peaceful life with humans.
Brian Hare of Duke University looked into the evolution of domestication and how their personalities have evolved through “Puppy Kindergarten” where they trained service dogs through behavioral tests and activities, comparing puppies to wolf pups.
What they had found was that due to domestication and friendly interaction, puppies were more ‘prepared’ in life compared to a pack of wolves only focused on hunting and eating not being resourceful or closer with others, humans in this case.
The science goes even deeper to search for mutations in the dog genome. According to 60 Minutes, “they found there were mutations on chromosome six in the dog genome” and the puppies not only understand us humans better but are mentally prepared for the world, which compared to wolves, seems more important than physical abilities.
Taking a step back here, Kindergarten is not only beneficial for our future hound leaders but also for ourselves in order to survive, thrive, and make life easier.
When in doubt, working on your soft skills never hurts and can always be improved. Although having big muscles and being fast is cool, kindness is definitely cooler.