the 99%

[aardogs]

Okay, attitude is confusing. You can have a good attitude or a bad attitude, but is it that black and white? And what does attitude even mean? As a logical first step I looked up a definition, but then I saw Tori's post and saw that the definition she looked up was totally different than the one I had looked up. So there are so frickin' many of them and none of them seem to go along with how I traditionally think of attitude. The one I stumbled upon was this:  

at·ti·tude:
  a position assumed for a specific purpose <a threatening attitude>

So what, is attitude something of a facade that you bring to any given situation? Just slap on a positive attitude and good things will follow? Eh, probably not.

I struggled with the issue of attitude at my last show. I did not have a bad attitude at that show. In fact, I think I had a really good attitude. I had a lot of fun. I didn't get upset if we made mistakes. I went out on course and had a really fun time with my dog. However, we didn't do well at all. Aside from the tangible fact that our Q rate was low, a lot of our runs were either disastrous or we made ridiculously stupid mistakes. Despite my good attitude, there was still something in the attitude department that was missing.

So...I honestly don't believe that a good attitude translates into a good performance in agility. As much as I would like to think that in some act of karma, people with bad attitudes or even bad sportsmanship will somehow be punished by not succeeding, the fact of the matter is that you can be an asshat and still be incredibly successful. A "bad" attitude doesn't necessarily translate to a bad performance on course in the same way my good attitude didn't translate into a good performance. So what's the point of a good attitude in terms of agility? 

Ahh crap, I feel like this post is not making sense. Quick, look at this picture of Panic in a hat! 



Alright back on track. When you think about it, over 99% of the time most of us spend at shows is NOT spent doing any agility at all. The sheer amount of time we spend not doing agility at agility trials means that the social aspect of agility often becomes primary. Being a pretty sensitive person, I find myself heavily influenced by the pressures of social situations. That is to say, other people's attitudes severely effect me. They don't effect me in the sense that I attain a bad attitude myself, but they effect me by making me shut down and not care anymore. 

Alrightokayalright here's that conclusion I've been trying to get to. My conclusion is that sometimes, your own attitude doesn't really matter. Sometimes its other people's attitudes that you can't escape. I have been unfortunate enough to find myself succumbing to bad attitudes at local shows. I can maintain my own good attitude, but at the same time I lose my passion and love and desire to do well. I let things get to me and it translates into me not giving a crap anymore. I think it's the only way for me to hold on to that positive attitude. I assume my positive attitude for the given situation. I could attack these shows with a "me against the world, I rock" sort of attitude, but I would rather try to hold on to my good, fun-loving attitude at the expense of us doing well. I know there is a middle ground somewhere, but I haven't found it yet. So I will keep trying. 

oh yeah I did this thing: http://dog-agility-blog-events.posterous.com/

Comments

[moodypdx.livejournal.com]

I like Panic's take, "Hatitude". That's where it's at.

[bordergirlsmom.livejournal.com]

Love the hat. I find in an effort to maintain my mental good attitude and balance I have taken to setting up with my dog who needs quiet, it works well because I can socialize if it is going good but if things start getting gnarley in the agility world I can visit with my pup who always keeps me smiling and stay out of the negative forces :-).

[katie todd (from livejournal.com)]

I was laughing out loud! thanks!

[ellen finch (from livejournal.com)]

"Quick, look at this picture of Panic in a hat!" Made me laugh! And so did the hat! Just showing that my attitude has been improved by reading your post.

[aardogs.livejournal.com]

Ha, I'm glad to hear it! I've come to the conclusion that anything can be solved by a picture of Panic in a hat.

[teaguestoy.livejournal.com]

Yes, Panic in a hat is most soothing! Maybe that is the image to always have :)

I am also really affected by other people's moods and fretting.
I think getting shut down about "caring" is a powerful way to be effected by others. I work very hard on staying grounded and centered - my own little zen practice, and then I have to figure out how to stay near people I really want to see/be with and not get caught up in whatever is going on. So, I try and do my loving kindness practice, towards myself and whoever is having anxiety, drama, whatever.

Having my warm up routine that I've developed with Teague also really helps me ground. Staying out in an alternate space for crating sounds like a good idea when you start getting shut down by others.

It's always an ongoing work in progress, isn't it?

[aardogs.livejournal.com]

It really is an ongoing process. I typically do crate by myself (at the expense of perhaps coming across as antisocial) and I find that it really helps to have an area I can go off on my own and decompress. I have been known for taking naps in Panic's crate ;). I also try to take lots of long walks with Panic. But I also do love to be social and hang around with people. It is often hard to strike a balance.

[aardogs.livejournal.com]

I agree.
Although Panic would argue that hats are nothing but humiliating.