We are sure very many of you are excited to kick of the new year, with big plans for yourself and your horse. With a full competition season ahead, there is a lot to be done in terms of preparation. We hope that this post will help you prepare for the new year so that you are ready to tackle all of the challenges it brings.
One of the first things we do here at Magic Pines at the start of every year is some goal setting. This allows us to narrow down exactly what we want to achieve in the new year, and holds us accountable to dedicate time to achieving those goals. We would like to share our tactics for equine goal setting so that you can find success in these methods too.
The first step - measurable goals. These goals are ones which are realistic based on where we and our horses are at the time. These goals also have some element to them which can be measured. An example of this - "I would like to score 65% in my preliminary dressage test." This goal is specific and, for most people will be achievable in the span of a year if appropriate preparation is done. Another might be, "I would like to jump a 70cm course and go clear." Again, this is a goal which can be clearly measured. Measurable goals should have a clear action plan for how that can be achieved - perhaps, riding 4x per week, getting lessons every fortnight, entering 5 competitions prior for experience. This action plan will bring you closer and closer to your goal and ensure that you are heading in the right direction.
The next step - general goals. These goals are things you would like to achieve in the next year, but may not be measurable. For example, "I would like to learn a new discipline." Or "I would like to improve my seat." These goals are fantastic goals to consult with your coach about. Your coach can ensure that you spend a little bit of time in your lessons working on these things, so that by the time the year is up, you can look back at how much you have improved in these areas.
The final step in our goal setting journey - 'somehow' goals. These goals are ones that may not be measurable, and are definitely not time defined. These goals are things that you would like to achieve, someday, somehow. It is important to have these goals as a motivation for the future, and because you will always underestimate what you can achieve in 10 years time. These goals might sound like, "I want to qualify for the Olympics," or, "I want to own my own breeding facility," or, "I want to become a coach." Whether or not you realise it, you will come closer and closer to these goals changing from "somehow goals" to "general goals".
Setting some time aside to sit down and do some goal setting for the new year is a fantastic way to get in the best mindset to tackle those goals. Don't be disappointed if these goals take you a full year to complete. We all know life with horses will throw us plenty of curve balls, particularly when we are so heavily impacted by the weather. Regardless, having an action plan in place will certainly make these goals more and more achievable. We can't wait to see all the wonderful things everyone will achieve in 2023!
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