Setting yourself up for success
Hi, me again.
Picture this: it’s May of 2019, pre-covid, I’m hacking Zig at home and all of a sudden a light bulb went off over my helmet… I finally figured out the best way for Zig and I to live our best life… I need to set us up for success.
“That’s it,” I thought. “That’s the way.”
The best way for us to put in a good ride or to have good rounds at a horse show is by me setting us up for success. Zig knows his job but he needs assistance so I need to set him up so he can be successful and confident coming up to a jump. I need to set myself up for success by having confidence in my capabilities and making sure I’m being an effective and supportive rider for my horse.
And after carrying that mentality through my lessons and into the A rated show we went to that June I finally had the horse show experience I’ve been chasing my whole life… Non-stressful, FUN, educative, confident, and COMFORTABLE. But it wasn’t just because I set us up for success… My trainer also set us up for success. Like, she actually had me practice things at home and be confident and trusting of my horse and my own capabilities. And in return I had confidence in her. And let me tell ya - this was the first time I’ve ever felt this confident going into a horse show in my whole life.
Simply because we were set up for success.
Fast forward to now (June 2022) and you know what I’ve figured out about running a successful equine photo biz? I have to continue setting myself up for success.
Now that can vary from education, new gear, new computers, new apps, and my personal favorite, having good snacks and staying hydrated with some yummy lemon water. But how I really set myself up for success is with my mindset.
What’s a mindset, you’re asking? Well, Dictionary.com defines mindset as “the established set of attitudes held by someone.” The more ya know. You can’t go anywhere in your car if there’s no gas in it - so why are you trying to go full-throttle 24/7? Set your mind up for success. Schedule breaks for yourself if you have to. Don’t try to tackle it all at once. That’s what I used to do. Side note: I’m at Aries which means I dive headfirst into new ideas without actually thinking them through and this has made me burn out quicker than you blow out those birthday candles. So don’t do what I did. Remember to take it day by day, little by little.
All you have to do is conquer today. Tomorrow can wait. How can you set yourself up for today? Do you make your to-do list? Do you have to schedule five minutes for yourself to step outside and breathe in the fresh air? Do what YOU need to do. Do what you need to do to be successful.
You don’t just take your horse out of the pasture at the end of winter, load him on a trailer, and take him to the Devon Horse Show thinking you’re just going to win all of the pretty blue and tri-color ribbons in the Dixon Oval, right?
So then why would you not treat yourself (your mind!!!) the same way?
Be kind to your mind. Set your mind and body up so you can be the best version of yourself. As humans we become stuck in letting our days pass by. I’m going to be direct - don’t do that. Don’t just let your days pass you by. Have a little plan for each day. Even if the first few days your plan is waking up and drinking your coffee - hey, you completed your plan. It’s the principle of completing the small tasks that then will allow us to build up to bigger things.
Try it and let me know how it goes.
Gallop on,
Maren
Today’s quote: “Today is life — the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today.” - Dale Carnegie
Today’s music mix: Mumford & Sons
Today’s reminder: give someone you love a hug today