TRICKS.
- whatshesaid2020
- May 14, 2021
- 2 min read
You've heard the saying...Old Dog New Tricks, right?
In this reference it means teaching someone old(er) a new skill. I think of my dad and have to smile as he thought he mastered the computer just by learning to turn it on. Nothing more...just turning it on. Now my mother on the other hand was very savvy in computer skill learning all after the age of 70.
How the adage really goes is....You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. It's a common phrase that means it is challenging to teach a person something new, usually because that person has been doing things a certain way for so long that they’re too stubborn to learn how to do it differently.
Almost like old habits die hard.
The phrase started in context of literally teaching "old dogs" how to do new tricks like rolling over, sit, fetch, and stay. The thought was the older the dog the more difficult to teach tricks to.
The website, Know Your Phrase, states "So, what’s the deal with this expression if it’s wrong? Here’s the thing: Some sayings are meant to be taken literally. If they are, then it’s easy to point at them and go: 'That’s incorrect!' So It’s more about the idea they try to convey, and in this case, the idea is that if someone is set in their ways, it can be hard to get them to do things differently, even if the new way is better."
This expression makes an early appearance in the 1700s. For example, it appears in the book Divers Proverbs, by Nathan Baily, 1721. The way it’s said was a bit different, but it’s still similar enough:
“An old Dog will learn no Tricks.”
So that would make this saying around 300 years old, at least (www.knowyourphrase.com)
Now I don't refer to myself as an old dog on a regular basis, but this old dog learned a new trick this week!
I learned how to create customized posts from Canva including this blog photo and a 7-second encouragement video. I also learned how to post them on my LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram for free.
Because Facebook charges for video posting I passed on that one.
For me, the importance here is to continue to learn whether its from an educational or experiential standpoint. A year ago today, I was confirmed with my Doctorate Degree in Ethical Leadership (Ed.D). My goal was by 60 years old and I made it!
Now I challenge myself by learning new skills, developing new habits, or changing behaviors that will continue to encourage my growth as both a leader and a person.
President John F. Kennedy once said, "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
Today, I challenge you to try something new.
Read a new book.
Study a new leadership characteristic.
Pause to learn how to meditate and pray.
Open up your mind and heart to mastering a new skill, because from one old dog to another you can learn a new trick!
What She Said ~ Beverly
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