Refocusing Your 2007 Horsemanship Goals

In the January newsletter, I shared seven tips to help you achieve your 2007 horsemanship goals.  As I flopped my calendar over this month, I realized that we are already half way through the year.  July signals the rounding of the far turn of the race and we are starting the sprint down the homestretch to the end of year 2007.  If you set some horsemanship goals in January, I want you to ask yourself this question, "How am I doing with my 2007 horsemanship goals?"

If you are struggling with making changes, taking risks and maintaining confidence in your ability to achieve the goals you set at the beginning of the year you may be caught in a mid-year slump.  Like New Year’s resolutions, I'm sure that your enthusiasm and energy kept you on track with your goals for the first few weeks.  But, little my little, old habits and attitudes took over and life got in the way leading to the slump.  You may have found yourself going from a gallop to a walk over a few months, not because you wanted to, but because so many forces pulled you away from your original intent.

If you find yourself in a slump, just admitting it is half the battle.  Forget about the past six months.  Plain and simple START OVER!  Just because half of the year got away from you is no excuse to postpone what you set out to do.  July and January both start with a J, but so does JOURNEY!  If your journey has been delayed or rerouted by negative thinking, fears, and old habits, CHANGE IT, it's not too late!!!

I'm sure you have heard me say it over and over; horsemanship is more about the journey than the destination.  One of the gals at the June Women's camp taught me that often times the destination changes as we grow and learn.  I never want to become stagnant and complacent during the journey.  As long as I'm stretching and moving, I know I will be able to continue to lead with inspiration and enthusiasm.

Remember each day is a new start!  Begin again to do the things you wanted to do with your horse.  If you need a boost, we can help at one of our camps, clinics or private lessons.  So don't be afraid to sign up. It could be the thing you need to break the slump and move forward with new vigor.

I was recently re-inspired to more excellence with horses by attending the Chris Cox Tour Stop at Chance Ridge in Elkhorn, NE.  I realized that because I wasn't reaching some of my mid-year business goals my own personal horsemanship goals were suffering.  I am refocusing my business goals to include more personal time for my own horses.  Because I know as I become more excellent with my own horses, people will desire my teaching skills even more, and then the business goals will follow.

Just like the feel we talk about with our horses, TIMING IS EVERYTHING!

The right time to refocus and reset your goals is always NOW!

The right time to start achieving goals, overcoming fears, building confidence, and developing leadership is RIGHT NOW!

EVERTHING ELSE IS THE WRONG TIME!  We all know that procrastination won't help!

SEE YOU AT THE STARTING GATES!

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas A. Edison

Happy Trails,

Sherry Jarvis

EAGALA certified

USEF Member