Are you a wolf, sheep, or sheepdog?
Are you a wolf, sheep, or sheepdog?
And why?
When most people hear this question, they immediately think, “Oh, I’m definitely a wolf. I protect my family and would go full-out wolf if someone threatened me or my family.” Maybe you puff up your chest or sit a little taller in your chair because the thought of being a wolf seems like it’s something we “should” be, right?
In fact, yes, some of you may be wolves. I have known quite a few of them.
I’m going to call you out on that today because I don’t think the term “wolf” is exactly what you think it is. I really don’t think it is something you want to strive to be. But knowing this does help to put things into perspective and can help you help those around you.
When you look at what wolves do, it’s not something to be particularly proud of.
Why is this important? Who cares if thinking you’re a wolf makes you feel strong or dependable?
This matters, in my opinion, because once you identify the qualities of these three animals, you can begin to peg them to humanistic characteristics. It helps you identify those traits in yourself and in your people. This is one small step to understanding how your brain works. Take it one step further, this can help you optimize your thoughts to help you reach your goals. When you begin to understand why you do the things you do or think the thoughts you think, you can use it to your advantage.
Think of this as step one to bio-hack your behavior.
Before we dig in, let me tell you which one I strive to be. I’m a sheepdog. Why? Because I’m cute and fluffy! Just kidding….
Sheepdogs are special breeds of dogs with one purpose - to protect their herd from predators and potential danger. They are purpose-driven, and instinctual, and are given special training to heighten their responses. Sheepdogs will fight to the death, if necessary, to protect.
Sheep, on the other hand, are creatures with a true “herd” mentality. They are easily led and will cower away from danger. They will not fight and will not step up to protect themselves or their herd. Sheep follow along and do what the other sheep do, even if it gets them into trouble or possibly gets them killed. Unlike sheepdogs, sheep will run away from danger, which is why they are prey animals.
Wolves not only know this about sheep, but they actively exploit it. Wolves will seek out and attack the sick, slow, or injured sheep. They will distract the sheep to get him away from his herd and then make their move. Wolves are very powerful and very smart.
So smart, in fact, that they are not inclined to mess with a herd of animals guarded by a sheepdog.
Wolves don’t want a fight, they just want to take advantage of the situation.
I bet you may know a few people like that….
Wolves remind me of the marketing executives of the major beer and liquor manufacturers. They promote their product using slimy sales tactics. The beautiful, half-naked women promote the idea that by drinking their product you too could either be with the beautiful women or be like the beautiful women and have men drooling over you.
Sex sells.
They know this. We know this. Everyone knows this.
Except when you’re emotionally attached to a result. The logical part of your brain shuts down and you allow yourself to be manipulated. Wolves prey on that emotion and exploit it. They know that if you’re sad, lonely, or anxious, they can appeal to you. If you are happy, satisfied, and clear about your life and what you want out of life, they have a more difficult time getting to you.
When you have clarity, slimy sales tactics are less effective. Your clarity acts like a shield, making it more difficult for them to separate you from your emotions.
You may be thinking, “Sure that makes sense. But all the happy people go out drinking all the time.”
They don’t. This is another slimy sales tactic that we so easily fall prey to.
Alcohol ruins lives. Even if you just go out for a few drinks every once in a while, my guess is that you feel like shit afterwards. We can still have a good time, but it’s not about the alcohol. It’s about the people, the event, or the location.
I’ve done my fair share of drinking, and I have never heard anyone say, “Dude, remember that time we got so wasted? That beer was so delicious!”
It’s not about the alcohol. And highly successful people don’t drink like you might think they do. But that’s a secret that Big Beer doesn’t want to get out…
Sadly, most people act like sheep and fall prey to advertisements like those of Big Beer and Big Liquor. They found our weakness - to either avoid pain or avoid feeling left out - and use it to distract us so they can attack.
If you are a sheep, you will do what others do, eat what others eat, even if you know it’s not healthy. You don’t pause to consider that there is another way. You might even think that you will be kicked out of your social circle for making a different choice.
Sticking with the alcohol theme as an example, if you’ve ever quit drinking, you have probably lost some friends because of it. I have. And I know many others who have, too.
It’s easier to be a sheep. You just follow along and do what everyone else is doing. You don’t have to think about it, you don’t even have to think for yourself if you don’t want to. Group-think is real and it’s powerful.
Our primitive brains crave hive-mind. What once was a survival tactic, has become a barrier to personal growth in many instances of life today.
I bet you can think of a few instances in recent years where this also applies…(wink wink)
Sheep need a purposeful sheepdog. They need someone who will guide them and help lead them to the lives they want to live. Sheepdogs help people, they don’t take advantage of them, they lead by example. Sheepdogs help the sheep not be distracted or make decisions that could harm them.
Some people are perfectly happy being sheep. Just like some people are perfectly happy being wolves. There’s no right or wrong here. But I think it’s important to understand which you are because it helps you make decisions that are more aligned with your purpose.
If you’re walking around all day thinking, “Damn, I’m awesome! I push people around and take advantage of them to get what I want because they owe me! It feels awesome!” Well, then you are likely not leading the change that the world needs right now.
But on the other hand, if you’re committed to changing the world and making it a better place, you need to adopt the sheepdog mentality. The world needs more sheepdogs.
In a world where you can be practically anything, be a sheepdog so you can help and protect yourself and the ones you love.