4 Keys to Keeping Your Cool
HERE’S THE THING ABOUT GOALS— they mean whatever you tell them to mean.
Even the steeliest competitor is going to experience emotions when they miss the mark. It’s human nature. Sometimes the pain is necessary, but often it’s avoidable.
I’m going to share the goal-setting tips that helped me win a barrel racing world championship one year, then the mistakes I made the next year.
Winning and losing only matter in our own minds. There will only be one winner at an event. However, you get to decide what a win looks like in your life, just like you get to set your own goals. You also get to decide what the next step is if you don’t reach a goal.
Here are some questions that can help you figure the “next.” The key to bouncing back is to learn how your actions affected the outcome. With that knowledge you can grow and build on your experiences and leave the past behind.
Did I honestly put in the work to achieve this goal? If not, what are some things that I can change to put the required effort to reach it?
Am I ready to achieve this goal?
If not, what work do I need to put in to bring my abilities up to what this goal requires?
What small goals can I put in place to help me take steps to reach this goal?
What do I need to change externally to bring this goal within reach?
I know my answers to these questions, but only you will know yours.
The more I learn about barrel racing and life, the less it feels like I have figured out. I do know that I have been both the triumph story and the heartbreak story. I’ve won a gold buckle and lost one in dramatic fashion. But I’m still standing. I hope that my journey through this rollercoaster can help you find some peace and inspiration in your journey, no matter what point you find yourself at in that process.