The Story of the Two Dogs: Lessons for Business and Investing

Two dogs walk into a house. One is angry, growling and snapping, its fur bristling with tension. The other is wagging its tail, trotting in with the sunny optimism of a dog that’s just heard the word “treat.” Both walk into the same house—but they come out with completely different stories.

The angry dog comes back even angrier. "That house is a hostile place," it barks. "Every corner bristled with aggression."

Meanwhile, the happy dog returns happier than ever. "That house is the friendliest place! I was greeted with smiles and warmth."

What the dogs don’t realise is that the house was filled with mirrors. The angry dog saw its own snarling reflection and mistook it for hostility. The happy dog saw its own joy reflected back and thought the house was just as cheerful as it was.

This simple parable carries profound wisdom, especially when it comes to how we approach business, investing, and even life in general. Let’s unpack it.

Business: The Mirror of Your Attitude

Running a business—or working in one—is a lot like walking into that house. The energy, mindset, and attitude you bring will shape what you experience. Ever noticed how some people seem to attract opportunity while others get bogged down by endless problems? It’s not always the market or the economy. Often, it’s the mindset they bring to the table.

Angry Dog Mindset: If you’re constantly stressed, always expecting things to go wrong, or viewing competitors and clients as threats, that’s what you’ll see reflected back. You’ll misinterpret neutral situations as negative ones, escalate conflicts unnecessarily, and drive away customers and partners with a “take no prisoners” attitude.

Happy Dog Mindset: If you walk into your business with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to collaborate, you’ll be amazed at how opportunities find you. Sure, challenges will still arise, but you’ll see them as puzzles to solve, not proof that the universe is out to get you.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore problems or put on fake positivity—that’s not what the happy dog does. Instead, it means focusing on solutions, relationships, and the bigger picture. Your attitude sets the tone, and the tone shapes the results.

Investing: Markets Are a House of Mirrors

Investing is another house of mirrors. The market reflects back the collective emotions of millions of participants: fear, greed, optimism, and panic. But the key to success is recognising what you’re projecting onto the market—and how that might be shaping your decisions.

The Angry Investor: This investor constantly expects the worst. They see every dip as a catastrophe and every rise as an unsustainable bubble. They’re quick to sell at the first sign of trouble, locking in losses. Ironically, this mindset often makes their fears a reality. They’re always chasing safety but never finding it.

The Happy Investor: This investor approaches the market with patience and optimism. They understand that downturns are part of the cycle and often an opportunity to buy good assets at a discount. They project confidence and long-term thinking, which helps them stay steady when others are panicking. Their mindset allows them to focus on the fundamentals, not just the noise.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind. Happy investors still do their homework. They just understand that the market, like the house in the parable, often reflects back what you bring to it.

The Takeaway: Check Your Reflection

The next time you’re frustrated in your business or panicking about an investment, ask yourself: Am I the angry dog in the house of mirrors? If so, take a step back. Shift your perspective. Approach the situation with curiosity instead of fear, with optimism instead of anger.

Remember, you can’t control the house, but you can control the dog you bring inside. Whether in business, investing, or life, the reflections you see often start with you.

Alfie - Happy Dog and Head of security at Flinn Accounting