One Life Many Journeys

26th Practice a World of Difference from the First One

Joey and I entered at A, and moved off crisply after the salute at X. I remembered to breathe, sometimes even very deeply, and used lots of quick half-halts to check in with him. Five minutes later we were halted square at G and our trainer Stephanie was beaming. The 26th practice was clearly a competition-worthy ride.

When I committed to riding our Second Level Test 1 at least 100 times before our first show I guessed that those many practices would make a difference but I couldn't say exactly how. Now I'm beginning to experience the impact of repeated practices:

• The test is deeply ingrained in me. Every movement comes without having to actively remember it. I can be fully present in each moment.
• That freedom from thinking allows me to work with Joey second by second through the five minute test. Joey and I are both living beings responsive to our environment and to each other (unlike a ball, racquet or golf club). Instantaneous tiny adjustments makes for a smooth and technically correct ride.
• Being able to breathe deeply relaxes both of us into the rhythm of the test. Judges are looking for harmony between horse and rider and breathing in sync with each other goes a long way towards that goal.
• Every practice has grown my confidence in my ability to show the best of my horse and my riding skills. I've already ridden in spite of dozens of noisy distractions, heavy wind, blowing trees and flying crows. There will be very little that I haven't experienced by the time I get to the first show.

I'm looking forward to the next 74 practices. The sky is the limit! What have you achieved after more extensive preparation than ever before? Share your stories in our comment box.

 

Dressage Training Journey Proceeds

It was January-cold, gray, damp and we didn't know that we'd have a very early spring and onset of summer-like weather. I was riding my horse Joey and decided that I would ride my dressage test 100 times before the first competition in mid-May.

This was noteworthy not only because it was winter but because in all my past 10 or so years of competing, I had never ridden the tests more than a dozen times before the first competition. Many reasons, none of which matter now. This year would be different.

How am I doing, now that it's mid-March? Quantitatively, it's been hard to accumulate the number of repetitions because of weather (wind) and work schedule, plus sometimes I am a bit fearful. I have ridden the test I'll be showing this year (Second Level Test 1 for those who know USEF) 24 times. I am feeling comfortable that I can make it to 45 times before mid-May.

Qualitatively is where the big impact lies. Each time as I enter at A to begin, I gain confidence from remembering how many times I've already ridden it. I know the test really cold: the movements, the placement, the required quality are imprinted inside me. I know what will absolutely work well and areas where I need to focus more thoughtfully. I can pay close attention to what Joey is telling me through his body and respond accordingly. I am thoroughly in every moment.

It's always hard to maintain at a show the quality you have at your home arena. I believe that all these practices will reduce the difficulties of the transition in my mind, heart, and body and that's where it counts. For those who think a quick run through before any performance is enough because you do your stuff everyday and really know it, I'll say--don't count on it.

The complete value of my 100 practices will be evident at the end of the show season; however I wouldn't know this if I wasn't committed to them and already experiencing the value. When have you practiced more than ever and what happened for you? Share your training journey stories in our comment box.

Share Your Goals or Not? I Think Yes!

I recently read a social media post that has me hopping mad! It claimed that sharing your goals stops you from achieving them. This was based on a 3 minute TED talk, which I watched. The speaker used one study of 163 people as the basis for urging his audience to NOT share goals with others. According to the small study, those who shared goals lost interest in working on them sooner than those who did not share their goals. Even worse than the small size of the study was that it took place one time in a reserach lab, not many times and in many circumstances.

Think about what you have achieved--big, small, work, school, family, hobbies, life in general--and how many times did you strive in total silence, never sharing your efforts and milestones with others? Probably not at all (as long as you weren't up to anything illegal!)

Can you imagine working towards these goals without the support of your family, friends, co-workers and others? How many times did someone in your circle ask you how it was going and you were thrilled to tell them about your most recent accomplishments. And when you reached the goal--big celebration, or at least a pat on the back and someone saying "I knew you could do it!"

More than any other lesson, this post reminds me how important it is to not believe everything someone says or reposts. This post came from someone who has lots of followers and who has lots of helpful and smart ideas to share. But this was not one of them.

Take the time to check in with your own "does-this-make-sense?" monitor and stick to the path that works for you.

When have you reached a goal after sharing it with people? Tell us all about it in our comment box.

My Focus Journey Has Lost Its Way

How about that? Decided to increase my focus during 2012 and looking back three months to see how much my focus journey has veered off course!

What did you decide to do differently this year? Are you doing it? How?

My reason for deciding to focus more was to articulate my ideas more clearly, to stand out from the crowd of bloggers who send millions of words out into the universe and strengthen my identity as the great speaking coach--a speaking coach who helps her clients become great speakers. I also want to influence thinking about fear and having a unified life. Yet the various demands of business, family and riding have filled my head and my focus has waned.

I've learned from my riding and other life events that falling off is the beginning of getting back on. Whether it's getting back on my horse or back on the business acquisition path, I need to just take the first step. So I'm rededicating myself to increasing my focus. I hope you'll take your first step back onto whatever path you want to follow.

Let me know how it goes and stay tuned. I'm already back in the saddle and can't wait to see what the view ahead reveals!