by Anne Gage of Confident Horsemanship

Did you have dreams about what you wanted to accomplish with your horse this past summer?  Perhaps you dreamed of competing in shows and winning awards. Maybe you dreamed of going on a big trail ride with friends. Or maybe you simply wanted to be able to canter in the arena.

Now, it’s late fall and as you look back, you realize that you haven’t done what you planned on doing. If this has happened to you, then you probably feel discouraged and disappointed in yourself.  You vow to do better next year.

But unless you figure out why this happened, you will probably end up in the same place a year from now.

For some reason, you lost your motivation or your confidence failed you or you just didn’t make the time. Riding wasn’t a priority and it got pushed way down (or off) your ‘to do’ list.

When your dreams don’t have an action plan or an end date, it is easy to lose your motivation and confidence when you face distractions and obstacles.  If you really want to be a confident rider, see your dreams come true, and improve your riding skills and motivation all you need to do is set some short term goals that will take you step by step to your long term goal – your dream.

You probably already know that you feel good about yourself whenever you complete something you set out to do. Even small achievements increase your self esteem and motivation.  Setting small goals that can be accomplished within a short time (like 30 days or so)  is a powerful method of keeping yourself on this track and feeling motivated and good about yourself.

The following 7 tips will help you set and achieve small goals that will help you make your dreams come true by reaching your big goal.

Tip #1 – Make sure the goal is truly important to you.  It’s easy to get caught up in doing things to make other people happy or to impress someone.  But, unless the goal means something to you personally you will struggle to maintain your motivation to complete it.  Simply ask yourself ‘why’ you are setting the goal.  Why is it important to you?

Tip #2 – Set SMART goals.  Effective goals are – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely.  If, for example, your dream is to compete in a show then setting a long term goal of “competing in a horse show” is too general.  Stated as a SMART goal it looks like this:

“I will ride in a flat class at a local schooling show by the end of the summer.”

That goal is Specific about what you will do.  It is Measurable – either you do it or you don’t. It is Achievable – if you’ve never shown before, a local schooling show is not as overwhelming as a larger show.  It is Relevant – it’s important to you personally to participate in a show.  And, it is Timely – it has an end date.

Tip #3 – Create an Action Plan. Write down the specific steps – the small actions – you need to take to achieve your goal.  Identify the skills you need to work on.   Sticking with the ‘showing in a local schooling show’ dream, you would need to work on your riding skills like transitions and equitation, physical fitness of yourself and your horse, and your mental skills for dealing with show nerves.  Your action plan for participating in a walk/trot western pleasure or hunter under saddle class would be different than for a trail or dressage class.

Tip #4 – Implement a Schedule.  Now that you know what you need to work on, you need to schedule the time to actually do the work that you need to do.  That means planning out the time when you will ride your horse.  Put it in your calendar and let people know that you are not available for any other commitments at those times.  Unless you make it a priority, other things will take over and it won’t get done.

Tip #5 – Consider Possible Obstacles. Everyone experiences roadblocks and set backs.  If you haven’t prepared for them, you will likely feel discouraged and become unmotivated.  Your confidence will be negatively affected.  When you identify potential problems and come up with possible solutions for each one you will stay on track.  Instead of giving up when you hit a set back, you simply adjust your plan and carry on.  You are able to keep moving forward.  For example, you may have to work overtime or travel for your job so you can’t be consistent with your riding schedule.  Can you arrange for your coach or an experienced riding friend to work with your horse.  Maybe you need to get a part-boarder for your horse.

Tip #6 – Connect with an Accountability Partner.  Sharing your goals with someone who supports and encourages you, and will hold you accountable, makes it much easier to stay motivated.  If you are working with a coach, tell him or her what your goals are so he or she can focus your lessons in that direction and offer encouragement.  If you don’t have a coach, maybe finding one is one of the action steps you need to take.  Maybe arranging to ride with a supportive friend can also help to keep you motivated.

Tip #7 – Take Full Responsibility for Your Results.  Let go of excuses, blaming, fault finding and negative thinking – towards yourself, your coach, your horse, your family, the weather – anything.  When you fall into that pattern of thinking you get in your own way. Sh** happens.  Accept it.  Adjust your plan if necessary and keep charting your path forward.  Remember that any forward step – even the tiniest of baby steps – is better than doing nothing, maintaining the status quo or giving up.

The bottom line – It is great to have dreams, but it takes planning, scheduling and commitment to make them come true. Make a step by step plan that keeps you moving forward – one baby step at a time.  Download this SMART Goal Setting Work Sheet to get you started.

Want more tips on Winning the Mental Game?  Click here to get your free instant access to the replay of the online video training “3 Actions You Can Take Now to Build Your Confidence with Horses & Riding”!

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There are lots more practical and in depth tips on improving your Confidence and your Partnership with your horse in my book “Confident Rider, Confident Horse: Build Your Confidence While Improving Your Partnership with Your Horse from the Ground to the Saddle”.   Click here to order  your copy today! [vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Like this article?  Share it with a friend, send a Tweet or post it on Facebook. Interested in hosting a Confident Horsemanship Clinic at your location?  Click here for information. You’re welcome to use this article in your blog or newsletter as long as you notify me and give my credit information. ~ Written by Anne Gage of Confident Horsemanship (www.ConfidentHorsemanship.com) [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_tweetmeme type=”horizontal”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_facebook type=”button_count”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_pinterest][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_googleplus type=”tall” annotation=”inline”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Anne Gage started Confident Horsemanship in 2002 after suffering the loss of her confidence for riding.  As she worked on regaining her confidence she discovered that many horse women were suffering in silence – thinking they were alone.  Anne works with horse women to regain their CONFIDENCE and PASSION for riding while building a PARTNERSHIP with their horses that they deserve.

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