Imagine this: You’re sitting down to work on your business marketing plan, coffee in hand, laptop open, dog treats ready for any unexpected deliveries. Suddenly, a notification pings. An Instagram post about a new online training course catches your eye. You click. Twenty minutes later, you’re deep in the comment section rabbit hole, comparing yourself to trainers with seemingly perfect businesses, and your original task? Forgotten.
Welcome to the world of modern dog training – where distractions abound and ‘squirrel syndrome’ frequently has you chasing in the wrong direction.
Distractions, distractions…everywhere
Our world is a minefield of attention-grabbers. Family and caretaking responsibilities, endless learning opportunities, social media comparisons, doom scrolling, self-doubt, and the persistent fear of missing out (FOMO) constantly vie for our attention. It’s like trying to train a highly distractible puppy – except the puppy is our own brain.
Most dog trainers fall into one of two camps when confronting all these overwhelming forces:
The Productivity Warrior
This is the trainer who decides to conquer time itself. Armed with productivity apps, time-management books, and an IV drip of coffee, they attempt to do ALL THE THINGS. They create color-coded schedules, wake up at 4 AM, listen to productivity podcasts during their morning run, and still feel like they’re falling behind.
If you find yourself scheduling every minute of your day, taking client calls during your lunch break, running training sessions back-to-back, and completing online courses during dinner – you may feel all this productivity is hard to let go off, yet you’re not really enjoying the payoff.
The Procrastination Specialist
On the flip side, some trainers become masters of avoidance. Fear of failure lurks beneath the surface, making it terrifying to start that business plan or launch that new training program. It feels safer to blame lack of time than to risk trying and potentially failing.
This may resonate if you find yourself poised to update your website, create new social media content, or develop an online course, only to be stopped by questions like, “But what if it’s not good enough? What if no one likes it?”
The perfectionism trap
Underlying both extremes is a common enemy: the belief that we must do everything perfectly. Society whispers (sometimes shouts) that we should be:
- Successful business owners
- World-class dog trainers
- Perfect parents (to humans and canines)
- Social media influencers
- Immaculate housekeepers
- Gourmet cooks
- Fitness models
- Community volunteers
The reality is, those who seem to “have it all” almost never do it alone—and no one is immune to a bad day. Even the most “perfect” brands are backed by entire teams of professionals. Perfection is a clever illusion, carefully crafted by curated social media feeds and society’s high expectations. Behind every flawless image lies a mix of hard work, compromises, and struggles we don’t see.
The mathematics of time
In his book Four Thousand Weeks, author Oliver Burkeman suggests that one way to deal with productivity paralysis is to: “Decide in advance what you will fail at.” He also reminds us to get real with numbers. We have 365 days in a year:
- 52 weeks
- 7 days per week
- 24 hours per day
In an average human life, we get just 4,000 weeks during our time on this planet. Here’s the hard truth: There will never be “enough” time. Never. The to-do list is infinite; time is not. Embracing imperfection isn’t defeat; it’s strategy. By liberating yourself from the “do it all” myth, you give yourself permission to focus on what truly matters.
Research consistently shows we’re more productive and happier when we:
- Focus deeply
- Accept imperfection
- Celebrate small wins
- Allow ourselves genuine rest
So take a moment. Breathe. Ask yourself:
- What can I intentionally do less of?
- Where can I give myself permission to be imperfect?
- What truly matters to me right now?
Step-by-step focus framework
If all of this leaves you feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The framework below can help you regain clarity and focus by breaking things down into manageable steps.
- Accept Reality
Start by acknowledging that you simply can’t do it all—and that’s okay! You’re human, not a productivity robot. Recognizing your limitations is the first step to working smarter, not harder.
- Clarify Priorities
Picture your time as a jar you need to fill:
- Big rocks (critical priorities): These are the most important things, like your core business tasks, family, or personal health.
- Pebbles (important but not critical): Tasks that support your growth, such as networking or skill development.
- Sand (everything else): The small stuff—social media scrolling, minor errands, or catching up on that Netflix series.
Pro trip: When setting goals and scheduling your time, always put the big rocks in first. If you fill your jar with sand or pebbles, you won’t have room for what truly matters.
- Protect Your Priorities
Your priorities won’t protect themselves—you have to do it.
- Set clear boundaries around your time.
- Practice saying no to things that don’t align with your goals. Every no is a yes to something else, and often something more important (like a day off!).
- Block off non-negotiable time on your calendar for the big rocks.
- Take Intentional Steps
Focus on taking deliberate, meaningful actions. Instead of worrying about everything at once, concentrate on the most important task right in front of you.
What might this look like for dog trainers?
- Maybe you don’t need to be on every social media platform. Focus on one or two where your ideal clients are most active and engage meaningfully there.
- Focus on the training services that bring you joy and ditch the ones you no longer enjoy. Letting go of services that drain you can make space for the work you’re truly passionate about.
- Outsource tasks that sap your energy. Whether it’s social media scheduling, bookkeeping, or writing a new website, hiring help can free you up to do what you love most—training dogs.
- Build genuine connections instead of chasing every networking opportunity. Prioritize quality relationships with people who align with your values.
- Streamline your client onboarding process. Automate emails, contracts, and scheduling so you spend less time on admin and more time with your clients.
- Give yourself permission to take breaks. Rest and recharge so you can bring your best self to your clients and their dogs.
Don’t forget the journey
Success isn’t about reaching a perfect endpoint. It’s about enjoying the path. It’s about learning, growing, and maintaining joy in your work. Remember: You’re not just a dog trainer. You’re a human being who trains dogs.
So go ahead – chase the right squirrel. The one that leads you toward meaningful goals, not away from them.