I remember going back to school as an exciting, if slightly scary, time. I wasn’t a swot particularly, but I was usually getting quite bored of the long summer holidays.
I especially loved getting new pencils, pens and notebooks (no phones or ipads in my day) – actually I still love stationary. Even to this day I still stick my tongue out and do my bestest writing on that beautiful first blank page of any new notebook.
I started keeping a bullet journal a while ago and I find it really useful to keep track of things I need to do and things that happen in my life. It’s a sort of combination of to do list, planning tool and diary and I love it. And it comes with its own lovely pen. (There are plenty of books written on bullet journaling if you want to find out more. Or ask me.)
Despite all the electronic gadgets that clutter our lives now, it can still be useful to keep a notebook of important things – as a backup if nothing else.
A really good use of a notebook is to keep a record of learning – whether your own learning, or your dogs. I’ve just started a cartoon course and of course I needed new books, pencils and pens for that, too. Well, actually I probably didn’t, but it was a good excuse!
Everyone hits barriers when trying to learn new things and keeping a written record of what you’ve done, what you’ve tried and what happened can help you through the tough times.
It’s also good to look back because only then can you see how far you’ve come. We’re programmed to always be looking ahead, striving for the next thing. Only a couple of weeks ago, GCSE results came out, but with the start of the new school year, students will almost have forgotten about those because they’ll be focused on their new A level courses.
In education, and in dog training, it can be good to look back and celebrate just how far you’ve come and the successes you had on the way. That can really help spur you on to keep trying.
If you need help with training your dog, why not come along to our Perfect Pet courses in Bangor and Kircubbin? Great for new owners, older dogs or for a refresher if you’ve let training lapse a bit. You can find all the details and booking here. And tell your friends.
Why not go and buy a nice new notebook and pen and start your training journal today?
Keep training
Carol