Workaholic Tuesdays: Seven Lessons From a Dog

Persistence pays: Take note of how persistent puppies always get what they want; whether some of your precious time or some of your food (after they have already finished theirs). Seems like once you've set your mind on something, the key is to keep trying. Back off a bit when you get tired or if you sense your approach is not being met too receptively or the timing is off, but try again. When you really want something, it all boils down to the patience to keep asking for what you want.

Trust your own instincts: Have you noticed how dogs always like to sniff out new people and places for themselves? Don't go by other people's perceptions, whether it is a new workplace or new people. Trust your own instincts enough to form your own impressions and act on them. Time may prove your initial impressions wrong, but the only way to strengthen your instincts is to trust them in the first place.

Stick to a schedule: Ever wondered how dogs wake up at the same time every morning without having to set the alarm or remind you when it's time for a tea-time snack? They clearly put more stock in their body clocks than we do. They won't stay up for a bout of late night TV or partying, no matter how intriguing and consequently will be up like clockwork the next day. Research also shows that our bodies and minds love schedules. Moreover, your mind works better at some times of the day than others, so it would be advisable to figure out when you are at your most efficient and schedule your more difficult tasks during your peak performance hours.

Live in the moment: For dogs, the only thing that matters is here and now. And if we focus on the task at hand, we're likely to get it done more efficiently than losing focus and time trying to switch back and forth between tasks. Don't worry about multi-tasking wizards at work getting more done than you; most new research debunks the multi-tasking myth and shows that other than motor tasks like walking, it's impossible to do more than one task as a time efficiently.

Take a break: You know how dogs take impromptu breaks even in between their favourite games? Most research favours taking appropriate breaks and even recommends a 15-minute power nap mid-afternoon when our energies naturally dip. How often you take a break depends on how you work best. While the pomodoro technique recommends a 5 minute break every 25 minutes, concentration studies show that 50 minutes of intense focus if followed by a 10 minute break, helps re-energise and refocus for another bout of intense work. There is no one-formula-fits all solution when in comes to taking breaks, so you have to test and see what best suits your work style. And in a bind, the best thing you can do is stop and take a deep breathe.

Know your place: Dogs know exactly when to approach and when to back off, when to roll over and when to charge, when to be aloof and when to initiate play. Tuning in to the environment you are in is crucial when it comes to establishing working relationships. Listening to what is being said, as well as what is not being said, can save you a whole lot of time and effort.

Be excited: Have you noticed how dogs approach each new place with an exploratory spirit, dashing around until they have explored every nook and cranny and then and only then deciding on what's the best place to settle down. New challenges at work offer just such an opportunity to stretch ourselves beyond tasks that we already know and have grown comfortable with. Approaching new people with openness is also more likely to get you a reciprocal response. Besides, if you go by positivity theories such as The Secret, the more excited you are about something, the better the outcome is likely to be.