This story about the dog and nail is one of the most commented-on stories in The Rudder of the Day.
I heard a story from my friend Bob about an old dog lying on the front porch. A neighbor approached the porch and could hear the dog softly moaning. He asked his friend why the dog was whimpering. And the owner said: “He’s lying on a nail.” Predictably the man said, “Well, why doesn’t he move?” To which the owner replied, “I guess it doesn’t hurt quite that much yet.” 
About a year after sharing this story in my weekly newsletter I had an attorney call me. He said he was that old dog – very much in pain about his daily activities but the pain was still almost tolerable. The image was so indelibly etched in his mind that he started every day identifying with that old dog. We discussed his situation, his clear sense that he was off track and the necessity for dramatic change in his life. He was seeing his family, his health, and his peace being eroded by his commitment to keeping things the same. Yet six months later I was still waiting for him to begin the process of introspection and exploration of new options.
“If you don’t have a vision for the future, then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past.” — A. R. Bernard
The comfort of familiarity can be so alluring; even if it is not the best. I see countless people droning through their mundane lives, hanging on to their comfortable misery and blocking the thrill of new and unrealized but available successes.
I guess a lot of us are like that old dog. We moan and groan about our situation, but don’t do anything. How bad does the pain have to get before we get up and do something else? In the workplace today there are incredible opportunities. If we are in a negative environment, one that causes us pain and anguish, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at ourselves, define where we want to be, and develop a clear plan of action for getting there.
“He who has learning without imagination has feet but no wings.” — Stanley Goldstein
What is that familiar but annoying nail that’s poking you today? What could you do to get up and move?
Many of you have told us you want to launch your own idea this year. Have you created a plan to do so?
Even though they gripe and moan
They want to be left alone
They want to stay blue
And not try something new
They prefer to keep what they own
I love this story Dan and it couldn’t have been re-shared at a better time. I just put in for a 2 month leave of absence from my J-O-B where the misery was still just tolerable. Now I’ll be ramping up my small publishing business to help speakers, coaches, and other entrepreneurs get their ebooks, physical books, and lead magnets published so they can effectively reach their respective audiences. I’m excited for my future and have you to thank for being my virtual mentor!
They say we don’t change until the pain becomes so great we can’t take it any more. Your dog story is a vivid reminder of this. Thanks for reminding us that it is up to us to change what is painful to us.
I am at that point too, I am on medical leave from my job that is the source of most of my health issues. I am using this time to take a udemy class on how to sell on Amazon, registered to sell yesterday. Also, remodeling my blog in order to monetize it. Hoping to use this downtime to leave my job as it could undo the therapy I’m going through right now as it has in the past.
I’ve had coworkers who were in the “dog” position ignore the pain, and suffering, along with their health and died either before they could retire, or shortly after who were still fairly young. People who never got off of the nail………
It’s strange. I know what I should do. I know it requires some hard work and taking risks but I’m ready for it. It’s just – it seems like I lack the energy which I lost it in the past few months because of some debilitating issues. Strange thing is, things now start to be better for me plus I really do a lot to recapture my old energy and motivation levels (nutrition, good rest, excercising) but it doesn’t come in sufficient abundance..yet. And in consequence of course I haven’t yet started my thing.
Maybe I should start and then…the energy will come naturally?
I too felt like that dog. I grew up in a construction family and Dads dream was his two boys would work along side him. Well I did as he wished. Today both Dad and brother have died. This left me with a business that is different not want. After several years I’m trying to change jobs. I am now at a Lumber yard and finding it very difficult. I know now that I need help to find what to do for work. So what I’m doing well not by my choice but by the choice of the yard owner. I didn’t ask for or seek it out. The Lumber yard owner told me he thought it would be a good fit. I feel lost and dead in spirit working there .
Oh, I know this dog. 😀
I am grateful that I found incredible mentors like you so that we could begin working on creating lives that are authentic to who we are. There were some very painful years, but much was learned and we’re better for them.
Thank you for all that you do!