Goal Setting - Not What You Think

January is the time of year when we sit by a cozy, warm fire after all the chores are done and reflect on the past year and set new goals for this new year. 

 

Not all of us have access to an arena and/or not all of us want to ride during the heavy snow time of the year. Mother nature has given us a perfect opportunity to slow down and ponder and knit. Knit?

So we sit. We read. We reflect. We practise gratitude. Be thankful for what's good in our life. We do self work. And we set personal goals.

You might think that this is the usual article that talks about setting horse skill goals and how it's good to do it and how your horsemanship skills will improve because of it.  They do. But that's not why I'm writing this article. Surprise!

Do we need to set goals with regards to our horse hobby? It's just a hobby after all. Work, career and family are more of our priorities. You might say to your self that your horse is just to relax and de-stress from your hectic life so why set personal goals with regards to your horse hobby?

Setting personal goals according to MindTools.com: "Setting goals gives your life direction, and boosts your motivation and self-confidence... Top-level athletes, successful business-people and achievers in all fields all set goals. Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation ."

That's good. Motivation is good.

What about using your horse to set goals? I mean it.  Like a practise dummy. Have you found yourself having trouble setting goals or procrastinating about getting some important decisions made? I know I have from time to time. We all do.

I use my horse time to help me.

A Bit of History.  Years ago, in my late 20's I got really sick.  I was going to one of the big hospitals in Toronto to have an MRI on my brain. It's a long story. I was scared. I remember I was driving and trying to find a parking spot. I was too young.  I remember looking up into the sky and asking the Universe (or God, if you prefer) what I could do as I wasn't ready to die.  I waited for an answer.

Little did I know looking up into the sky at that very time, the space shuttle Challenger had blown up, horrifically killing everyone on board. But I digress.

What came to me, in that small inner voice we all have, was to use horses as a vehicle to help myself and people along their life path as best as I can.

And that is what I continue to do to this day.  I work with my horses, try new ideas and watch for their feedback to see if it's a good idea to implement.

Perhaps this might work for you too. Good luck.

Putting my spin on personal goal setting.
Reinersue
@KISS reiners