We all feel it

It is something that we all succumb to and it sends us off the deep end into a spiral of self doubt. We worry we are not progressing as fast as we should be.

We’ve seen them.

Those perfect instagram photos.

The facebook feed dripping with beautiful people doing fantastic thing.

I’m here to tell you – 

YOU CAN PROGRESS

You can achieve what you set out to achieve. 

It takes time and it takes determination and it takes resilience.

In our world, what I like to call the “microwave generation”, you know that mindset where we want everything, now!
Take a meal out of the freezer, stick it in the microwave, and have dinner in 5 minutes society.

Or even,

Calling “uber eats” to go to the drive thru for you. How much in a hurry do you have to be to do that?

This mindset pervades our society. Its long arm reaches into all of our communities and this includes our horses and our stable.

Think of those who are looking for the quick fix, the “flip” or pushing their horses too fast too soon.

Then wonder why they, the horses, are broken down, sour and unwilling.

The quick fix

Rather than developing a horse to hold themselves, push from behind and move forward often riders are succumbed to the “flavor of the month”.

To be like their instagram idols. 

Or

Their Facebook friends.

To have that perfect jump, 

That perfect head set,

And that extended trot – to die for.

What you have to remember is that those things, like in any athlete, takes time, perseverance and training. 

A whole lot of knowledgeable development. 

A plan

A process

An understanding of what to do and how to do it.

There may be a quick fix.

A siderein here or a draw rein there. Or maybe even a bit that will assist you.

But nothing

NOTHING

Will take the place of time and consistent training.

Without all that shit.

Of following a path toward your goal and the steps in between to get you there.

How to get better

• Start now to commit to not comparing your self to others.
  
  They may not (or maybe they are) on the same path as you. 
  
  Recently I received an email from someone who was concerned about being a burden on her coach because she couldn’t keep up with the younger people (teenagers and she is an adult) in her riding group.
  
  My suggestion when she told me this?
  Don’t compare yourself to the others. They are on a different journey than you. 

And
If you feel that way, you have to change your mindset. I think your coach probably DOES love to teach you. And appreciates the work you are putting in to continuing to ride.

But 

You have to get out of your head you are a burden. 

• My suggestion?

Hit that negative thought with a positive. 

Approach it head on. 

Think of saying the following phrase:

“I am a worthy and competent rider. My coach helps me and appreciates me riding.”

Don’t underestimate the power of the positive mind set.

• Start now to make incremental improvements

This means… 

Make small changes daily. It’s that 1% change.

You can’t sit up through the transition? 

Make a 1% improvement today that you can build on it. 

You may not be able to make the WHOLE SHEBANG! In one go,

But

Try to make a SMALL change. 

A small change to the better is better than no change.

Then,

Build on that improvement.

Think of it as building a foundation for a large city skyscraper.

It won’t all change in one day but be satisfied to make a small change and resist the urge to make everything PERFECT in one go. 

It usually doesn’t happen that way. It happens slowly over time, for strength and change.

• Do more of the right things.

If you do the correct things correctly more often you will improve faster over timeRead more about that here – Do the correct things more often.

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