I’ve been out duck hunting and quail hunting only a few times before, but each time I have been so impressed with those Bird Dogs! Their loyalty is second to none, their drive and persistence is inspirational, and darn it they get the JOB DONE!
Earlier this Fall we were working in a leadership team session with one of our district consultants where she described her role for our team as Bird Dogging. “My job plain and simple is to Bird Dog the information relevant for the success of this team, this school district, and our students.” As we began to conclude the meeting she asked a powerful question, “Who will Bird Dog this task for us?”
This phrase has quickly become one of my main go to phrases as I continue to refine my leadership style — there are things that I need to Bird Dog (prioritize with relentlessness) and then there are things that frankly I have no business Bird Dogging and I need to empower and build the capacity of others to help our school and students!
This idea goes beyond just thinking from the context of managing and leading a school, business, or organization. When we think about developing our self-leadership (the ability to lead oneself) we need to learn the concept of Bird Dogging! When we Bird Dog in our lives we have to understand what is our business and not our business to prioritize! So how do we go about determining that?
I like to think that the first step is to spend time praying — praying for spiritual direction and allowing God to reveal what is in our court and what is not! If we try to Bird Dog things that we have no control over and need to spend a season in waiting, then how frustrated would we become when it feels like we are just spinning our wheels the whole time? Yet, what if we had surrendered and sought from God what he needed us to Bird Dog and what he was promising to Bird Dog for us? I don’t think there is anyone else I’d want Bird Dogging a part of my life than God himself!!
After seeking that prayerful discernment to determine what is our responsibility to Bird Dog — it is time to start making a plan — remembering bitesize gets DONE! I constantly need reminded of this at work and in my own personal plans! Bird Dogs won’t chase down five different birds successfully, they do best when they know their singular target! If you have to keep multiple plates flying in the air (like I find myself at times) then what is the singular focus that needs accomplished in each of those areas that could be easily Bird Dogged?
As you start finding yourself chipping away at your goals it basically becomes a Celebrate (Honor God) – Pray – Bird Dog – Repeat process! Constantly soaking all we do in prayer is TRANSFORMATIVE and allows us to know that what we are pursuing is truly where God has purposed our energy to land!
Hope everyone the best as we start Bird Dogging our goals and dreams for 2024!! Thanks for reading and sharing my friends! Take care and God bless!
Perennial Educator 