The last post focused on the importance of tenacity.  So how can you be tenacious?  Scottish writer, Eileen Caddy describes the process well: “Stride forward with a firm, steady step knowing with a deep, certain inner knowing that you will reach every goal you set yourselves, that you will achieve every aim .”

Joyful Springers stride forward.  They understand that it is a conviction of success that allows them to keep going even when the going gets challenging.

Never go after a goal you want but don’t think you can achieve.  Before you take action, be sure the truth that you can have what you want  replaces all doubts.  Then run with that truth, all the way to the success you want.

[Ducky, aka Commando Ducky , is now striding forward (with the help of her brace) on the beach, off leash finally!! after a nearly year long rehab following an ACL injury.  It's such a joy to see her stepping out again!]

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Millions of people make New Years resolutions.  Many of them are already giving up.

Joyful Springers have a little tenacity.  They hang onto their desire even when obstacles are yanking them away from what they want.

Just because something’s trying to keep you from grasping your goal doesn’t mean it’s time to give up the goal.  Hang onto it.  Hold the vision.  When you do, you’ll have the energy and the focus you need to keep any resolution you make.

[Sweet Pea and Poppy are back.  Poppy was still a pup in this photo, but she's creeping up on a year now.  Clearly, she learned early on how to be tenacious. ]

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Most big projects have a point in the middle of them where there seems to be an immovable wall.  It’s the point where we get tempted to give up.

Joyful Springers break through.  They understand that the “wall” that stands between them and their success is as insubstantial as powdery new snow; all they have to do is burst forward with enthusiasm and they’ll reach their goal.

Whenever you’re tempted to abandon a long-term goal, remember how insubstantial that wall you’ve hit really is.  Take your attention off how “hard” the way ahead seems to be and put your thoughts on the end result.  This will give you the strength to bust past the wall and melt away all obstacles.

[Jackie is back. This gorgeous girl moved from California to Illinois last winter, and she has a BLAST in the snow. ]

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Anyone who has a past without failure or disappointment in it is … well, probably a robot.  Unfortunately, though, too many of us let memories of past missteps keep us from moving head with new ventures.

Joyful Springers floor it.  Instead of focusing on what has gone wrong, they look up toward what could go right and then they go full speed ahead when they set a new goal.

You can be all hang dog about what hasn’t gone your way before.  Or you could be bright-eyed about what just might go your way now.  Try picking the bright-eyed attitude.  You’ll find it revs up that go-for-it motor so you can zip toward what you want in life.

[Meet Leila.  This adorable three year old, three pound Yorkie is Max's new adopted sister.  (Remember Max the Yorkie from Texas?)  Max's and Leila's momma, Francine says that Max is being a good boy and tolerating his new sister.  How could you not love that face?  ]

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Not everyone you know wants you to get ahead.  There will be those who feel threatened when you make big changes.

Joyful Springers ignore hangers-on.  They don’t let anyone keep them from chewing on whatever interests them.

So what if your friends hate that you’re giving up alcohol or your spouse is threatened when you go on a diet or your co-workers wish you wouldn’t do such a great job?  You do what you need to do for you.  Never let others crawl onto your back and hold you back from the life you want to live.

[Murphy is back and he has Harley with him.  Murphy is Lee Linenberg's handsome Springer and Harley is Lee's Chocolate lab grand-dog.  Harley has a tendency to attach himself to Murphy, but that doesn't distract Murphy from important chewing matters. ]

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It would be nice if achievement was a simple three-step process:

1. Get an idea.
2.  Work hard.
3.  Get the result you want.

Unfortunately, life has a way of throwing up obstacles that take the simple out of that three-step process.  When this happens while we’re in the middle of step 2, we have a tendency to push harder to try to power on through to step 3.

Joyful Springers sit the bench once in awhile.  They understand that there’s another step in the process of having what they want.  That missing step is kicking back and allowing things to fall into place.

If you’ve been struggling to achieve something and you feel stuck, take a break.  Walk away from it.  Think about something else.  Give your ideas and effort a chance to settle into place while you sit back and take a breather.  Sometimes less turns into a whole lot more.

[Rudie and Jackie are back.  Rudie, about three months old in this photo, joined Jackie and her family in the early part of this year, and he clearly loves his new big sister! ]

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How long have you been planning to pursue your favorite passion or go on that vacation you’ve been talking about or learn that new skill?

Joyful Springers hit enter.  They ACT on their passions and ideas.

The key to moving forward with an idea you’ve had for a long time is to do it one little step at a time.  Take some small action today toward something you’ve been wanting for a long time and you’ll be amazed how the universe will respond to help you go the rest of the way.

[Max is back. Francine's adorable little Yorkie obviously has his paw all over hitting the right key to getting things done!]

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It’s great to have clear desires, to know exactly what we want.  Having specific goals can be motivating.  But if we are too attached to getting things a particular way, we may miss a lot of wonders.

Joyful Springers welcome the dusting.  They’re happy when they get even part of their desires because they know that every little bit of what they want is a wondrous gift.

If you want something like a particular job or specific amount of money, don’t wait until you get it to be excited about what’s coming your way.  Celebrate every penny.  Bask in every tiny success.  It’s all worthy of appreciation, and the more you appreciate, the more great things come your way.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Mattie's back. Any snow, even just a few flakes, is good snow to this North Carlina sweetie.  You can tell she's happy to greet the few snow flakes that fell in what was supposed to be a big storm but turned out to leave just a dusting. Thanks, Mattie, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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We start out with big dreams, most of us.  Then life somehow convinces us that big dreams are a big waste of time.  Once we believe that, when we see an opportunity, we don’t have the courage to do anything about it.

Joyful Springers head right at it.  They see something they want, and they immediately believe they can have it, and they take inspired action to get it.

Is there something you want to do that you’re not allowing yourself to do because you’re afraid it won’t turn out the way you want it to?  Pretend for a moment that it WILL turn out the way you want.  See that outcome in your mind then head right at it.  If you focus on the fun of the romp toward your desires, you’ll be delighted by what you find at the end of your journey.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Mattie's back. This gorgeous, ready-for-adventure girl was all ready to play in the snow at the promise of a snow storm in her town of New Bern, North Carlina, but the snow storm turned into just a dusting.  That didn't stop Mattie from having a good time, though! Thanks, Mattie, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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When we have a goal, we’re usually excited about it at the beginning.  Then as we move into action, we often slow to a plod.  We lose our exuberant passion and just go through the motions.

Joyful Springers soar toward it.  They never lose enthusiasm for their desires.  Everyday, they leap toward what they want.

Treat your goals and desires like a ball that’s just been tossed up in front of you.  You don’t have time to plod.  You need to leap.  Connect with your original passion to put energy behind your daily actions toward what you want.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Jackie is back.  Jackie loves to leap to try and catch balls.  She catches very few, but she sure loves to try. Thanks, Jackie, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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