The Benefits of Setting Goals 2013 is now upon us and it’s time to start making a list of short and long term goals to aim for in the new year. I believe that our list of goals needs to be written down on a piece of paper and hung on the wall or fridge, so that we have to see them everyday. In setting goals for ourselves the only person that we need to answer to is ourselves, it is not our job to let others impose their will upon us. I think that every person has the will to thrive and to be a success, but some seem to get lost on their journey when influenced by others. “It’s not what people are willing to do to achieve their goals that keep them from achieving their goals. It is that they are not clear in defining what they are willing to give up.”- Earl Nightingale Sometimes I think that we put too much stock in what our peers think or say; not everyone you meet knows what you have been going through in your personal life, or what hurdles you have crossed to get that young colt into the show pen for the first time. Everyone loves to feel good about themselves and their accomplishments, even if it comes at the expense of others. I’m a firm believer that the more we tell ourselves something, whether good or bad, it will directly affect the actions that we take. I also believe that people can worry themselves sick, or think themselves well. So if we set goals in small steps and achieve them it lends itself to us accomplishing our larger goals. If you are a novice rider with aspirations of winning a World Championship title, list that as your large goal and break the large goal into smaller, more manageable and attainable, steps. Determine the pieces that are necessary to achieve success every step of the way. Being able to compete with success at a lower level will serve as a stepping stone, while preparing you for the demands of competing at a higher level. It is impossible to think that you will be successful in achieving your larger goal of winning a World title if you are unable to win at a local level. Don’t set yourself up for failure; there is no set timeline for how long it takes to be successful. Very few people have become an overnight success; achieving your goals comes from hard work and dedication. Every person and horse has a set amount of ability. If you have the skills as a rider, do you need to find a better horse to attain your goal? Do you need to acquire the help of a professional to keep you on track? The people that surround you also help to determine how quickly you reach your goals. Find people that are positive and have your best interests in mind. Most goals fail due to being set to high to reach, allowing the person to become discouraged. Remember sometimes we don’t always see the forest for the trees. All of our goals need to be set so that we are happy; and our happiness truly only depends on our on actions and thoughts. I try to look at it that if I fail, it only shows me what areas I need to improve on to achieve my goal. As always; Ride Hard, Be Safe, and Have Fun. – Steve Kutie
