Can you teach an old dog new tricks?
My Golden Lab, who’s about 13 1/2 years old, and his chocolate brother woke me up too early this morning. They sleep a lot in the daytime, now, so they don’t always sleep through the same night hours as my wife and me anymore. And once the morning coffee started to clear the fog in my head a bit, I started thinking about that old adage of how you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Do you do that? Do you find yourself applying your creative mind or your analytical mind or your marketing mind to everyday situations? And do you find yourself digging deeper into information to find a story you can apply to your life, or your business, or your creative endeavors?
If so, then you’ve probably discovered what I discovered. That you actually CAN teach an old dog new tricks. At least if that “old dog” has a mindset to turn “new tricks” into productive habits.
I’ve never truly bought into the idea that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks anyway. In the first place, most people who use that phrase are applying it to people. And people aren’t dogs. And in the second place, I’ve seen actual old dogs learn new tricks, and I’ll be darned if I’m gonna let an old dog outlearn me.
It really does come down to a mindset.
For example, do you have a computer? You know, those boxes with a built-in typewriter, TV screen, and scrolling device? Well, they’ve become pretty handy in these here modern times. So, I recommend you get one.
I’m kidding around to make a point. When the personal computer became commonplace, there were a lot of old dogs who either had to learn new tricks or get left in the digital dirt.
Many baby boomers were in their late thirties and early forties when this paradigm sprang up. It’s hard to believe now, but many thought it would be a trend at best, and they didn’t buy into it. But many of the ones who adopted the new technology and decided to use it for all it was worth reaped exponential rewards. The personal computer and the internet gave a lot of old dogs access to a lot of awesome new tricks.
So, keep this in mind. Everyone eventually grows old, if circumstances and health permit. When you do, will you embrace fear? Or will you look forward to the challenges? Remember, you’re not a dog. You’re a human being made in the image and likeness of God. So, no need to worry about teaching an old dog new tricks.
Stay tuned,
Your support is worth more than you know. So…
Tell everybody you know to subscribe to The FunderFlash Journal
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)
Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)
My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books
Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt
Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers