The Puppy Dog Method.

Have you ever felt that being "introverted," "shy," or "antisocial" was holding you back?

I did.

When I moved to a new town a few years ago, I struggled to make connections.

I often told myself, "I'm shy" or "I'm introverted," believing these labels defined me permanently.

But deep down, I craved meaningful relationships and a sense of community. I wanted to belong and feel more connected in all my interactions.

Funnily enough, one day I was complaining to a mentor about how I never seemed to have the experiences with people that I desired. Then, he shared a transformative insight with me.

He called it the "Puppy Dog Method."

"Have you ever noticed how being approached by an excited puppy makes you feel?" he asked.

I smiled, envisioning a happy puppy bouncing with joy and enthusiasm.

"Well, it's simple," he said, "Be the Puppy Dog."

We all know the feeling when you come across a puppy, all full of love and bursting with energy. No matter how rough your day's been, coming home to a puppy wagging its tail at you can instantly turn things around. It's hard to stay sad, mad, or anything but happy when you're greeted with that kind of love and enthusiasm.

Now, He reminded me "just like how a mirror reflects light, people respond to the energy they get.“ If you want to have positive vibes with others, you've got to bring them vibes yourself."

For some, this method might seem like the most obvious way to interact with others, yet for me, it was a mind-blowing experience and honestly one of the best reminders for my approach to interactions with all of humanity

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou

I vividly recall the first day I actually experimented with this concept.

Picture this: There was this girl at the gym who I found rather intimidating. In my mind, I had crafted a story that she was 'too cool' to talk to me, always looking away whenever I walked past her. One day, she approached the area where I was working out. I greeted her with a bright smile, deliberately showing my enthusiasm towards her presence, and said hello with the level of excited energy you have when seeing your bestie. I complimented her on the quirky T-shirt she was wearing, intentionally opening myself up to conversation with her.

To my surprise, she responded with the biggest smile and started a conversation about a movement she wanted to ask me for tips on. It turns out, she's rather shy too. I also realised that the 'resting bitch face' I thought she had, which I thought was directed at me, was just a mirror of my own shy face 🙄. Now, to this day this girl is a very dear friend of mine.

Evidence yet again that you only experience what your putting out there.

So the lesson here...

Approaching interactions with the openness, warmth, and genuine enthusiasm we would want to experience is the only way in which you can guarantee that experience.

Instead of letting labels like "introverted" & "shy" dictate our interactions, we can choose to bring a spirit of curiosity, kindness, and joy to every encounter.

Think about the last time you approached someone new.

How did you feel?

What energy did you approach them with?

What would happen if you were giving them 'The Puppy Dog".

I want to hear about your experiences! Share your thoughts and stories with me. DM me on Instagram and let's start creating connections filled with joy, enthusiasm, and powerful energy exchanges. 🐶

Because trust me, you all want to experience "The Puppy Dog."

Can't wait to hear from you!

Much love,
Eliza Jane.