My dear friend's son, Doston, just got a German Shepherd puppy. She is small, curious, and already testing boundaries in all the ways puppies do. It is that early stage where behavior is still forming, and it would be easy to overlook the habits that are starting to take shape.

I admire how Doston reached out and asked me for advice on how to train her. How to set things up so she grows into a well-behaved, confident dog. That kind of awareness matters. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and assume things will work themselves out, but they do not. Puppies grow quickly, and the behaviors that seem minor in their youth become much more significant over time. When I think about my own dogs today, calm and easy to manage in different environments, I know that outcome came from consistent effort and a clear vision of who I wanted them to become.

That idea has stayed with me, because it extends far beyond dogs. The way we show up today directly influences the person we become over time. It is easy to feel stuck or feel that change is hard and it is too late to shift direction, but I do not see it that way. On today's Wise Walk, we are taking a closer look at the future version of ourselves that we want to grow into and what it means to begin training for that version now.

• Who do you want to become, and is there a future version of yourself you can see or feel within you that you are ready to begin training for now?
• What qualities and experiences define that version of you, and what small steps can you take to begin moving in that direction and embodying those shifts today?
• Are your current actions aligned with the version of yourself you want to become?
• What elements in your environment can you control to better set yourself up for success?
• What steps, however small, do you know you need to take to move forward and begin acting as if you are already becoming that person?
• Are you staying true to those actions because you know they are right for you, regardless of what others may think?
• Can you hold space for your growth and commit to it, even if it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar?
• Is there a past version of yourself you miss or want to reconnect with, and what from that version can you bring into your present and future?
• What small steps are you willing to take right now to grow into that person?
• What distractions or barriers can you remove to better support your progress?
• What actions can you take each day to stay aligned with the version of yourself you are ready to step into?

Each of us has the ability to create the life we are meant for. It starts with staying true to who we are today, while also honoring the version of ourselves we are growing into, and taking actions that align along the way.

I would love to hear what resonated with you, so feel free to reach out and share what you are taking with you from today's episode. I look forward to being with you again next Thursday for another Wise Walk.

In this episode:

• [03:54] I had a simple but clear vision for my life with my dogs. It took a lot of work training them to be comfortable with travel and being a car dog.
• [05:08] I had to start with small steps like driving down the street.
• [06:01] Now the car is the happy place for both of my dogs.
• [07:03] I had to see the vision, set us up for success, and control distractions. Controlling the environment can set us all up for success.
• [08:10] I was mindful to condition my puppies to set them up for success. I started the training at a young age, so they could grow into the version I saw for them.
• [10:41] All of my actions were aligned with my vision for them.
• [12:09] One of the visions for my future self is hiking at higher elevations. I'm going to have to work up to that. I have a training plan for my big hike in July.
• [15:19] I'm so proud of my nephew who has the vision to train and do an ironman competition. That's a 2.4 mile swim, 112 bike ride, and a 26.2 mile marathon.
• [17:11] I'm going to show up and support my nieces and nephews when I can.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Growth happens when your actions start to align with the version of yourself you can already see." - Mary Tess
• "If you can see that future version of yourself, then you can start acting in alignment with it today." - Mary Tess
• "The question is not whether change is possible. The question is whether you are ready to begin." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

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