✓ Set and achieve your goals
Make your dreams a reality in 2020 with our tried and tested method for setting goals that will bring you all the success you desire in three simple steps
“You’ll only stay motivated if your goal is truly compelling. How much work are you able to put in? Factor this in when you set your goals to make sure you’re being realistic”
WORKING TOWARDS achieving a goal is powerful and motivational and a great way to ensure that you’re progressing in the right direction. Don’t make setting goals a chore or over-complicated, though, as this will just delay you or put you off altogether. Instead follow our three-point plan for guaranteed success.
1 Choose one thing
If your riding goals run over two sides of A4, your goal-setting strategy has gone a bit skew-whiff. Don’t worry; it’s perfectly normal to get carried away like this — setting new goals is exciting, right? But the more goals you have, the harder it’s going to be to achieve them. It’s a trap to think too big all at once.
The simple answer is to work on one goal at a time — a golden goal. Goals are unique to you (and your horse), so stop and take time to figure out what really matters. You’ll only stay motivated if your goal is truly compelling. How much work are you able (or willing) to put in? Factor this in when you set your goals to make sure you’re being realistic.
One goal at a time means that you’re more likely to be successful — and more quickly. Then you can set another goal. Of course, each one may have several layers to it and that’s OK. Divide each goal into small steps and tackle them one at a time in a progressive way so that each stage links to the next. Have a plan.
2 Let go and the goals will come
What’s going on that distracts you from setting or achieving goals? Letting other things wheedle their way in and take priority is costing you your dreams, so you may need to let some things go. What can you subtract from your life to give you the time and headspace you need? Focus, minimise and stop doing anything that’s getting in the way, or at least cut down the amount of time you spend on these things.
Think of it like this: everything you do day to day is an opportunity, but it also has a cost attached. For instance, if you decide to spend Saturday night out with your friends, that’s great. But the cost might be that you’re too tired or hungover to ride effectively in your lesson the following morning. Or perhaps you don’t always have enough time to ride and also do your yard chores, so paying someone else a small fee to muck out for you could be just what you need. Prioritising is key. Then we move on to people. Surround yourself with those who are willing you on, want you to achieve and aren’t jealous of any success you have. Develop real, supportive relationships and magic happens. If there’s someone around who spoils things, get them out of your circle.
3 Have a vision
If you’re struggling to focus on what your goal should be or how to achieve it, create a vision board. Collect old magazines and newspapers or print things off the internet. Get some tape, scissors and a big sheet of paper. Now give yourself 10 minutes and go mad. Rip out anything that calls to you without over-thinking it. What makes you smile or feel good? Stick stuff randomly on the paper, then stand back and see what it says to you. If you’ve got a collection of words and pictures that include rosettes, the latest show jacket and a posh horsebox, you’re probably hankering after being a successful competition rider and you should focus your goals there. If it’s full of landscapes, scenery and sunny weather, maybe it’s your lack of hacking confidence you want to crack. You get the picture — literally.
It’s well known that having something to look at, which reminds you of where you’re heading and why, is a fab tool. It gives you the motivation to keep going, as your board represents how you’ll feel and what life will look like once you’ve been successful.
“Develop real, supportive relationships and magic happens”