And So It Begins ……

 

We finally have a fair show booking after 2yrs of no shows due to covid 19.   We are booked for seven weekends at Downey’s Farm in September and October.   I’m looking at getting some signage and fencing to enhance our area and also for branding.  Not to mention hiding some of the clutter that accumulates outside the ring.   I’m not sure what I can afford.  I have a little bit of cushion financially right now,  thanks to the tv show job,  but I don’t want to squander it.   I feel like I’m hoarding my money now that I have some  😊    I’m so afraid of it running out and being short again.   But putting some money into the show is a necessary expenditure.   I just need to be careful what I spend and what I spend it on.    But the bigger issue with all of this is “boundaries”.   My team members don’t always respect boundaries.   They are used to manipulating me to get their own way, and I don’t even think they realize they do it most of the time.    They give unsolicited opinions and challenge my decisions when it is not their place to do so.  They make offensive comments at my expense.  For example, I am looking at possibly getting a banner with our Team K9 logo and lettering.    This would be affixed to the fence at the back end of our ring and would help to somewhat hide the vehicles, or at least take attention away from them.   I asked the team for input on colours.   Should I have a white banner with black lettering,  a white banner with red lettering,  a black banner with red lettering,  or a red banner with black lettering.   I got some feedback to my question but then I also got someone asking why I want a banner.  What is its purpose.  Why do I want to spend the money.   S/he thinks it will look stupid to have one banner,  and on and on.   Whether or not I decide to have a banner for branding or any other reason, is none of the dog handler’s business.   It is my decision and mine alone.   And it is inappropriate for someone to challenge my decision as to how to brand the team and enhance our performance area.   They would NEVER do this to anyone else.

 

Talking to Sean in our session this morning and mentioned that I am now facing the challenge of dealing with boundaries and being assertive.   Two of my favourite activities …. NOT!    He pointed out that I have made progress because a year ago this would have been demoralizing to me, and now it’s just annoying.   And I have a better handle on how to deal with it.     I’m pricing things out and I’ll decide based on cost, what and what not to invest in.   And it will be my decision.