by Dan Gathof
Sometimes, a little laugh goes a long way.
This project of being human can be really difficult. Like, really difficult. It’s hard to understand the constant pressure and stress that weighs us down. Silent mental anguish often becomes unbearable. Did you know that dogs use their anus for scent marking? It’s their own version of social media to communicate with others.
Sorry for the diversion. I’m not making light of anyone dealing with depression—many of us find ourselves somewhere on that spectrum. It seems like more and more of our lives are filled with sad stories and negative news. But I do find it amusing that some animals use their butts to send messages. My dog, for example, seems to be broadcasting her desire to work in marketing—specifically for Tyson chicken. If scent marking is the dog equivalent of social media, my puggle is an overachiever, constantly obsessed with her “posts.” And trust me, it’s not pleasant being on the receiving end of her “communications.”
Again, I’m not minimizing anyone’s struggle with anxiety or feeling overwhelmed. But sometimes, the unexpected—like a small diversion or laugh—can go a long way in reducing stress or changing how we view the things that weigh us down.
A few years ago, my daughter was in the hospital for surgery. It wasn’t life-threatening, but surgery always comes with risks. Before the operation, I found myself spiraling through every worst-case scenario. I don’t like that part of me, but it’s how I’m wired—fight or flight, Murphy’s Law, “this will not go as planned.” My thoughts were taking me to some dark places.
On the day of the surgery, as my wife and I sat in the pre-op room with our daughter, something unexpected happened. A nurse walked in with a therapy pony. Wait, what? A horse in a hospital? My mind immediately shifted from “possible complications” to “how did this pony get here?” Did it take the elevator? The stairs? And, most importantly, could my daughter ride it into the operating room?
The absurdity of the moment brought smiles to everyone—my daughter, my wife, and even the medical staff. While I’m sure the therapy pony was for my daughter, the absurdity of the situation was for me. It snapped me out of my worry and reminded me that we were in good hands. If complications arose, we’d handle them then. There was no use torturing myself with hypothetical scenarios that might never happen.
Fortunately, the surgery went smoothly, and my daughter recovered quickly. But I often think about how life throws us these little moments—just when we’re consumed by doom, something funny, absurd, or beautiful happens, and for a brief moment, everything feels okay. That little laugh can go a long way.
The same holds true in our careers. Many of us are constantly under pressure—fear of losing a job, feeling unemployable, doubting if we’re good enough for a promotion, or beating ourselves up over a mistake. We replay these thoughts in our minds over and over, but rarely does it serve any real purpose. Sometimes, in these moments of stress, we need to seek out some humor—or at least be open to finding light in the darkness.
Hire Thought
Just like dogs obsess over every scent they encounter, we often overthink every detail in our careers. They mark their territory, believing every little scent matters. But not every worry or mistake needs to linger. Sometimes, a little humor or distraction is all it takes to change our perspective and help us move forward.
About Dan Gathof
Dan has spent most of his career working in recruiting and HR for high-growth companies. In recruiting, Dan is passionate about innovative approaches to connect candidates with companies, and is ultimately concerned with ensuring that success is achieved for all parties. Dan lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois with his wife and four children. To reach out, please see his profile on linkedin.
Love it, Dan! This too shall pass. 🙏