The Agility Challenge Podcast With Daisy Peel

Holding ourselves accountable to stay sharp, to stay focused, and to stay in the sweet spot at the edge of our abilities when we're alone is important - it's not what happens in class each week, during that one or two hour period of time! It's what happens when you're at home, in your back yard, or your basement, by yourself, with your dog, working on the things you've set out to work on, with purpose! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

As a dog trainer and handler, you're not only a student (of the game, of your instructor, etc.), but you're also a coach for your dog. And, good coaches, whether it's to your dog or to your own agility students, share a knack for transforming the most mundane activities - especially the mundane activities - into games.  Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this Agility Challenge Tip, learn why practice "snacks" are better than practice "binges", what days of the week you should practice, and what it means to be ruthless about noticing and fixing mistakes. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

Many might ask why in the world would somebody continue to put themselves in the face of feeling frustrated, why would anybody want to struggle?In this episode, Daisy discusses why struggle is not only unavoidable when it comes to growing your skills and talents, but NECESSARY. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

What's the difference between activity and actual accomplishment? And, how do we go about making sure that we don't fall in to the trap of mistaking one for the other? Check out this Agility Challenge Tip, pulled from Daniel Coyle's Little Book of Talent, with Daisy Peel! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this Agility Challenge Tip, I'll speak on the topic of how to break down what might seem like an insurmountable list of training tasks in to chunks, in order to attain REAL agility mastery. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

Why you should take off your watch and avoid looking at the clock when you train. And how to define when and how a training session SHOULD end, instead of defining it in terms of minutes and seconds on the clock. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

Is your training actually productive? Do you enjoy it? Or do you view it as drudgery, something to be suffered through?In this Challenge Tip, I'll dive in to how you can really get to the 'sweet spot' in practice and training, and how to get away from the unproductive swamp of 'shallow practice'.  Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

Teaching, just like anything else, is a skill that must be developed. GOOD teachers are those who have practiced good teaching skills. There are a lot of instructors out there in our sport who have not paid as much attention as they could to the practice of actually TEACHING. Here are 5 ways to pick a teacher or coach who will actually help you improve and GROW your skills. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

It's so often that we think of talent as something that we're born with, like the color of our hair, or the color of our eyes. We assume that the surest sign of talent is early,  instant, effortless success, i.e., being a prodigy. Basically, this is just not the case - there's a well established body of research that shows that our assumptions about talent are just...false. Early success turns out to be a weak predictor of long-term success! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

We've been talking about hard skills and soft skills as though they're entirely separate, but in reality, most talents are not exclusively one or the other. They're some combination of the two. You have to have the hard skill of good front cross footwork and the soft skill of knowing when to start that footwork in relation to your dog on course to successfully execute a front cross, for example. However, in his book the Little Book of Talent, author Daniel Coyle suggests we prioritize the hard skills, because in the long run, they're more important to developing your talent. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

To build soft skills you should behave less like a careful carpenter and more like a skateboarder in a skateboard park: aggressive, curious, and experimental, always seeking new ways to challenge yourself. Dig in to this concept more with Daisy Peel in this week's Agility Challenge Tip! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

To develop reliable hard skills, you have to connect the right wires in your brain. You want to be careful, slow, and highly aware of errors. You want to work like a careful carpenter. Dig more in to this concept in this week's Agility Challenge Tip with Daisy! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

The first step toward building a skill is to figure out exactly what type of skill you're building. Every skill falls into one of two categories: hard skills and soft skills. This tip comes from Daniel Coyle's The Little Book Of Talent, and is adapted for use by us agility handlers! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

It's tempting to think that if we don't have the latest and greatest this or that, we'll never be successful. If we don't have the latest and greatest dog toy, how will our dog ever be as motivated as that super motivated border collie over there? If we don't have the latest and greatest equipment - the best jumps, the prettiest tunnels, a heated arena with an amazing turf surface - how can we possibly be the best we can possibly be? But, do we really NEED all that fancy stuff to be our best and make progress with our dog agility handling and training?  Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

Top performers are willing to fail, and they're willing to do so repeatedly in the name of improvement. So, how do you ensure that you're always comfortable looking silly, or foolish, or stupid? How can you avoid the trap of avoiding expanding your skillset in the name of “looking good”? When it comes to physical exercise, we all expect to feel discomfort – after all, the saying goes, ‘no pain, no gain,' right? Learn more in this Agility Challenge Tip! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

The idea that talented handlers get their skill by following their “natural instincts” is baloney. This is good news for all of us – there is no “natural instinct” for dog agility. ALL improvement is about absorbing and applying new information, and the best source of information is top performers. So steal it. What do I mean by that? Read this Agility Challenge tip to find out! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode of The Agility Challenge Podcast, Daisy interviews Kelly Daniel of Hybrid Dog Training. Kelly lives in New Zealand, where she teaches canine fitness, dog agility, and secondary school science (that's high school for those in North America)! This is an AMAZING conversation you won't want to miss, where we discuss topics such as:How stress hormones released in the FIRST run of a weekend can shape EVERY run for the REST of the weekendWhy you should care about including your dog's emotional state as part of your criteria for the behaviors you're trainingHow to increase your DOG'S mental resiliency, or mental toughness...and much, much more. Dive in to this fantastic interview episode, and share your thoughts after you have a listen! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

What's the best way to learn a skill? In this Agility Challenge Tip I'll talk about the 'engraving approach' or the 'engraving method', and how it can help with your agility skills, even when you don't have time to DO agility with your dog! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this week's Agility Challenge Tip, I'll dive into the power of something called 'ignition' for talent development in dog agility. Ignition is that spark connecting your identity to high performers, making you believe "I could be them." My own ignition moment, triggered by an Animal Planet show, ignited my passion for dog agility. To foster this spark, I offer practical tips, starting with creating a serendipitous, joyful discovery. What was YOUR ignition moment?

Over the years, I've talked a lot about something called purposeful or deliberate practice, and how important it is to your dog agility handling and training. So, each week this year, I want to give you a tip designed to help you stick to purposeful and deliberate practice and training with your dog.Why is purposeful practice and training so important? Well, I strongly believe, and the evidence supports that we just don't get better if we're not being purposeful with our training and handling!In this episode, learn why it's important to GET A NOTEBOOK. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode, you'll learn:What it means to play to win, vs playing 'not to lose'How each of these mindsets can affect your training and competition strategiesWhy playing to WIN (vs playing not to lose) is a winning strategy even if it involves more failureWhat it looks like in training to play to winWhat it looks like in competition to play to win! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode you'll learn:Why the phrase "I'll be happy when" is LESS, and not MORE, likely to lead to happinessWhy happiness fuels ambition, despite society's commonly held belief that in order to be a 'go getter' you must also deprive yourself of happiness NOW.How happiness and joy can fuel your training, handling, and competitive endeavorsHow happiness and joy are similar, and how they're differentAnd more! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode, you'll learn:Why we wish more people would share their failures publicly, and why most of us DON'TWhy moving away from disappointment and failure is BAD for your progress in the sportThe myth vs. the truth of the competitors at the top of our sport, and of ANY sportWhy it matters WHO you share your disappointments with, and WHERE, and WHENThe most important part of feeling disappointment  Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode you'll learn:Why it's natural for students to outgrow instructorsHow to move on to another instructor while honoring your current instructorWhy moving on need not involve burning bridgesWhy doing the right thing is not always the same as doing the easy thing Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode you'll learn:The most important thing to remember when it comes to choosing WHAT to train when your time is limited and your list is long5 tips to help you prioritize your time, avoid feeling overwhelmed, and maximize your chances for making REAL progress with your trainingHow knowledge and expertise are NOT the same thing, and why that mattersWhy you need a supportive community around you, and why the TYPE of community you're a part of matters Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode, you'll learn:Why embracing discomfort is essential for growth on your dog agility journey (and for life!)How discomfort and purposeful practice go hand in hand The three hallmarks that define purposeful practiceThe three questions to ask yourself after every training session to ensure you're on the right track when it comes to progress in your training and handling Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode, Daisy discusses:Why taking credit for your accomplishments is importantHow to make sure you talk about yourself win a way that doesn't undermine your confidence and self imageWhen self-deprecation is harmless, and when it's unhealthyThe four main reasons we find it so hard to accept a compliment Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In today's episode, you'll learn:Why the past only lives in your brain.How you can tell a painful story in a different way.Ways you can work through negative emotions, especially with bad outcomes at a competition.How you can learn from difficult experiences to continue training, handling, and living with internal integrity in sport and life. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode, Daisy discusses:How to deal with a competition weekend that isn't going according to planWhy small errors can snowball in to big ones and how to recoverWhy dog agility isn't "just a game"How repeatedly "just doing it" in the face of your thoughts and emotions makes your mental game stronger Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode Daisy will discuss:Why the PROCESS of goal setting is as important as the goals you setWhy keeping your goals secret is important if you actually want to ACHIEVE themWhy goal setting or chasing something, anything, and ESPECIALLY happiness, from a place of ‘lacking' isn't a good solutionWhy you have to allow yourself to ‘dream from a place of abundance' and how to do just that Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode Daisy discusses:The 5 hallmarks of a great coach, mentor, or instructorWhat separates the best from the rest when it comes to expertiseHow to find the best online training contentWhy a great coach, mentor, or instructor may not make you FEEL good, but how they will help you BE goodOutgrowing a coach, mentor, or instructorBooks referenced in this episode:The Little Book Of Talent - By Daniel CoyleThe Talent Code - By Daniel Coyle Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode, Daisy discusses:How do you deal with the feelings of anxiety you might encounter at a seminar and WHY you may find that seminars make you feel even more anxious than competitionsHow to deal with feelings that other people are going to be judging you and have opinions of you that you may not want them to haveHow to deal with that feeling of bristling up or getting defensive when you're at a seminar and the presenter offers up advice or a critique of wha they've observedAnd, how to decide what advice to fold in to your training and handling, when to ask for more information, and when to say thank you but no thank you Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

Today, we're going to talk about IMPOSTER SYNDROME. What it isWhy does it happenHow to never suffer from imposter syndromedifferent types of imposterswho can suffer from imposter syndromeand how it can undermine your ability to really enjoy the sport and contribute to anxiety and ring nervesAnd how it can interfere with your ability to continue to progress with your skills and your training Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

WHAT WE'LL DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE:What self-sabotage is.Why self-sabotage is an action you take, not a circumstance or thing that happens TO you.The three big ways that you may be sabotaging yourself.How I make my negative emotions less negative.How to figure out just WHY you're engaging in self-sabotage.How to end the spiral of self-sabotage and giving up on your goals. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODEWhy some people see us in a different light than others and have certain opinions about us.The thing that set me free from the weight of other people's opinions.Why criticism can be very painful to us personally.How changing the way you receive criticism will improve your chances of success.Why we look for approval from others and why it affects us negatively when we don't get the approval we're seeking.Why the only person's approval you need is your own. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode, we'll look at why this feeling isn't a problem, but letting it stop you from putting yourself out there IS.What happens when you avoid or resist nervousnessTwo things that happen when you're nervousHow to make being nervous easierOne of the most important tragedies in dog sports right nowWhy we need to seek opportunities for failure Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode you'll learn:Why most fear is a result of Mental MISmanagementWhy working to ELIMINATE fear is not the best use of your mental energyThe benefits of taking action even when you're afraidHow to move through and WITH fear when it comes to making progress with your training, handling, and competitive endeavors Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode, you'll learn:How to PLAN for failureHow to make sure you INCLUDE failure in your plans!Different kinds of failure, and which kinds you WANT (vs the kinds you DON'T want)How confusion, indecision, and perfectionism all play in to our thoughts and feelings about failure Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In this episode you'll learn:Why most of us avoid failureHow to change your thoughts and feelings about failureHow to fail more effectively so that you can enjoy more success in your training, handling, and competitive endeavorsHow you can feel confident even when you're attempting something you've never attempted beforeResources mentioned:The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In today's episode, you'll learn:Why confusion and indecision can be considered comfortable and 'safe' states of beingHow to learn to listen to your inner wisdom and overcome learned helplessnessHow to be your OWN coach and call BS on yourself! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In today's episode, you'll learn:Why INaction is a form of action, and why it can be a COMFORTING action to take...no action.Why having more information is not necessarily the way forward when it comes to having better training and handling skills.Why the scarcity mindset has you trapped, how it keeps you from REALLY getting the results you want when it comes to your training and handling, and how to get out of the cycle of scarcity leading to anxiety leading to apathy leading to inaction leading to the same results you're already getting. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

In today's episode, you'll learn:Whether or not you really NEED to be confident to be successful with your dog on a dog agility course, or with a training topic. Daisy talks about Courage vs. Confidence, and which one you REALLY need when embarking on a project, training task, or endeavor that you've not previously been successful with. What's the difference between wanting and committing? When should you NOT commit to a goal or achievement that you've been wanting, and how that choice can add to or subtract from your relationship with your dog, AND your relationship with your self! Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show

Show Notes:How long I've been doing dog agility – since 1999!Why I decided to an agility instructor so long agoWhy I wanted to start this vlog/podcast to talk about mindset and mental challenges associated with dog agility specifically, dog sport more generally, when it comes to performance and competitionHow I've learned to manage my mind to get the results I want – and how you will, too!The role your emotions play in helping or hindering your performance.The very first steps you can take today to start shifting your mindset.The Thought Model:Circumstancescan triggerThoughtswhich causeFeelingswhich causeActionswhich causeResultsThe result is always proof or evidence of the original thought. Never miss an episode by subscribing via iTunes, Spotify or by RSS Help improve the show by leaving a Rating & Review in iTunes (Here's How) Join the discussion for this episode in the comments section at the website for this show