Skip to content
Previous article
Now Reading:
Make small deposits, and don't bet on winning the lottery

Make small deposits, and don't bet on winning the lottery

See why setting goals doesn't seem to work

I am writing to you from the plane as I fly back from spending time with my mother, who has been critically ill. She began with pneumonia which progressed into overall weakness, immobility, and a neurological episode that left her arm paralyzed.  

Some of you may have seen my note on social media about the situation, but for those who have not, with very short notice, I made the decision to fly 11 times zones to be at my mother's side.

I am a big proponent of “taking the route of least regret,” and that is why I flew back to be with my mom, sisters, and our extended family, taking turns spending time with my mother day and night. 

Despite having only 10 days with her before needing to leave, I feel that my mom really loved us being by her side and that my sisters and I have given her what she wanted most.  

During our time together, there were a few bright moments. My mother, barely speaking, managed to ask in a whisper for some champagne and ice cream. And when I asked her what the best part of her life had been, she replied: “Men! Your dad was the best one!” (Even though they were divorced — go figure!) 

Dr. Peter Dobias and his mother-Make small deposits


Now I am on my way back, thinking about life and what it would be like if my mom were more open to following some of the health advice I had given her over the years, which brings me to the next part of this week's piece.

Make small deposits, and don’t bet on winning the lottery.

Having spent more than three decades working with patients and close to six decades of being alive, I dare to share the following observation. 

People often set goals of exercising, eating healthy, and getting more sleep, and they set similar health goals for their four-legged family members. 

The problem is that setting goals on their own does not seem to be a reliable way of actually reaching them.

Let me give you some practical life examples:

  • The goal of ‘exercising more’ doesn’t make people exercise more.
  • The goal of ‘sleeping more’ doesn’t make people get more sleep.
  • The goal of ‘feeding my dog fresh, wholesome food and supplements’ doesn’t make us necessarily do it.
  • The goal of ‘caring for my dog’s teeth’ to prevent dental problems and avoid unnecessary anesthesia doesn’t make it happen.


How many people do you know who regret not achieving their goals? How many of them may even be resentful or jealous of people who have achieved what they wish in life?

Saying that we want to travel to Rome will not get us there. Instead, making a plan and outlining the journey will get you there. 

Making a plan to save X amount of money each week, booking the ticket, packing, and then setting an alarm for the flight time are the steps we must take.

When it comes to setting health-oriented goals, wanting to prevent heart disease and diabetes is not enough; achieving the goal requires a bit of luck but, most of all, discipline and dedication. 

To demonstrate this, I have revised the examples I gave you a few lines above to make them achievable step-by-step:

The goal of ‘exercising more’ can be adjusted to:

I will exercise three times a week for an hour under the guidance of a particular teacher/program. Or another example could be closing exercise rings on your Apple Watch or iPhone 4x a week.

The goal of ‘sleeping more’ can be adjusted to:

I will end any activity by 9:30 pm and be in bed by 10 o’clock with the exception of Saturday. I will not drink coffee after 12 pm. I will go to the sauna and do a cold water plunge twice a week to improve my sleep quality. I will not use my mobile device after 8 pm.

The goal of ‘feeding my dog fresh, wholesome food and supplements’ can be adjusted to:

I will prepare my dog’s fresh meals in batches every Monday and Thursday, so there is enough to feed fresh food six days a week. I will put all of my dog’s supplements into smaller daily jars every Sunday so that I can easily add them into meals before feeding.  

The goal of ‘caring for my dog’s teeth’ to prevent dental problems and avoid unnecessary anesthesia can be adjusted to:

I will check my dog’s teeth on the last weekend of every month and have hand scaling done every three months. I will mark this on my calendar and buy my favourite dog-friendly ice cream to share with my dog when the job is done. 

I trust that reading the above examples clarifies the difference between setting a goal we want to achieve versus actually planning the journey step-by-step. 

There is also one other way to stick to your goals.  

If you want to reduce your calorie intake when someone offers you a dessert, you can say something like, “I only eat cake once per week, and I already had one dessert earlier this week.”

And when your dog begs at the table, you can tell them, “I love you, but I give you food only from your bowl and not while I am eating.

Let me know what you think, and have a fantastic day! ❤️

About the author

Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM is an Integrative veterinarian, nutritionist and creator of natural supplements for dogs and people. Helping you and your dog prevent disease, treat nutritional deficiencies, and enjoy happier, healthier, and longer lives together.

Most Popular

  • Pax the dog looking out airplane window
    In my article, I share the personal story of how I'm able to fly with my dog, Pax, thanks to overcoming challenges with sleepwalking and night terrors. This unique experience not only allowed me to travel with my service dog but also serves as a reminder that even difficult situations can have positive outcomes.
  • Dog smelling a white pony that is laying on the ground-communication hacks for a happier life
    Successful communication is essential for building healthier and more fulfilling relationships and happier lives. In this article, I'll share with you 8 communication hacks to help you avoid unnecessary drama, prioritize active listening and address conflicts effectively.
  • Dalmatian eating mixed fruit-safe fruits for dogs
    Can dogs eat bananas, apples, strawberries and other fruit? What about grapes? Find out what fruits are safe, toxic, and healthy for dogs. Learn about the potential health benefits and risks of feeding fruit to your canine companion, and get tips on the ideal time to feed it.
  • Illustration of the anatomy of a heart-how to protect Dog heart health
    As dog lovers, we all want our beloved pups to live long and healthy lives. Protecting your dog's heart from potential health issues is important, and in this blog Dr. Dobias shares some key points that you might not yet be aware of, read on to find out what you can do to keep your dog's heart safe. 

Dog Health

  • Husky lying on blanket with heart toy- Dog heart health solutions
    Dogs have our hearts and that is why we need to protect their heart. Dog’s as they age often face muscle problems and spinal misalignment and you might be surprised to know how that can hurt their heart. Learn how to protect your dog’s spine and by extension their heart.
  • Dog in the grass taking the Perfect No. 2
    Dogs and humans have evolved side-by-side but they are still quite different when it comes to their digestive tracts and dietary habits. We have studied their original environments such as the soils of the African savanna and consulted with top experts in the field of probiotics and microbiology to come up with a combination that reflects healthy bacterial flora of canines.
  • Man carrying a box being pointed at-Feedback and criticism
    Criticism can hurt a brand, but constructive feedback can help it grow. In this blog Dr. Dobias talks about the differences between these approaches, and how to handle the power of influence and opinion with care. 
  • Broccoli with minerals and vitamins-The nutrient depletion epidemic
    Are you worried that your and your dog's diet is missing something? Maybe you're worried about toxin levels in food, the environment, or flea and tick products. Let's face it; we can't remove ourselves entirely from our toxin-filled world, but we can do things to reduce our exposure to harmful substances. 

Human health

  • Dr. Dobias holding his dog Pax- finding peace amongst the chaos
    How do you navigate the seas of life? How do you deal with disappointment? Whatever life throws at us, we can always rely on our dogs to bring joy into our days. In this blog I share my thoughts on the support our dogs provide during the difficult moments in life. 
  • Person with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease holding the stomach
    Learn more about the alarming prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) affecting 1 in 4 Americans. Discover its main risk factors, diagnosis methods, and treatment options to better manage or prevent this silent yet severe condition. 
  • DHA-A new perspective on brain health, memory loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and dementia in people and dogs
    The Science of DHA and the Brain: Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily DHA, are the unsung heroes of brain health. They play crucial roles in brain physiology and biological activities, with exciting links between Omega-3 levels and cognitive function. Higher DHA levels have been shown to preserve the integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), your brain's security system
  • Dr. Peter Dobias and his dog Pax-why we struggle where our dogs excel
    It appears that most of the world is ready for change, but whenever I think about the solutions to any of the problems that plague our world, I can’t prevent myself from thinking that we humans are acting like little toddlers who have broken a toy and do not know how to fix it. Despite my generally optimistic attitude, I have had a hard time staying positive at times because I know how complex this all is. Read here for some tools that make me feel good about the world, which I would like to share with you.

News, stories and good life

  • Dr. Peter Dobias with his dog Pax on his lap- dogs can save you from negative news
    Do you have trouble staying positive during difficult times? These days we are surrounded by a lot of negative messaging, and it's easy to let that get you down. Here are some of my tips for remaining positive, and don't forget to share your tips with me!
  • Man with great immunity system standing on top of a mountain- how to increase dog immune system
    Most of us have been exposed to panic-inducing information about the virus spread, however, I have noticed the general absence of one piece of information, how to make your immune system stronger and body more resilient. (It will definitely not happen by stockpiling toilet paper!) I have always loved immunology and the current situation has prompted me to put together two simple lists on how to increase your dog’s and your own immunity.
  • Man with dog wearing a collar and leash-dangers of balloon effect
    Does your dog have ear problems, nasal or oral tumors, reverse sneezing or an  itchy head or hair loss on their head? Learn how you can address some of these problems and save thousands in vet care costs.
  • Terrier dog eating raw food-Best diet for dogs-raw diet
    Now there is no need to guess if there is something missing in your dogs diet.  The HairQ Test is a highly accurate test for mineral deficiencies, toxins and heavy metals in dogs to finely tune your dog’s diet and supplement schedule.

Cart

Close

Your cart is currently empty.

Start Shopping
Close