GOAL SETTING
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACHIEVE IN 2018?
By Debbie Hill, Mental Performance Coach at Ahead For Life
and decide what goals you might aimfor? Many riders are reluctant to set goals as so much can go wrong
A
with horses, but riding ahorse without agoal is like setting off in the car without knowing the destination; you will eventually run out of fuel. If you are worried about committing to goals it might help to remember these wise words from Bruce Lee: “A goal is not always meant to be reached, it
often serves simply as something to aim at.” When we have something to aim at we become motivated and
driven and when there are bumps in the road we will find ways to overcome them, building resilience and self-belief along the way.
To set goals effectively, let’s imagine we are on ajourney:
1. Decide on the destination –this is your ‘Outcome Goal’ 2. Decide on some stopping off points so you knowyou are heading in the right direction – these are your ‘Performance Goals’
3. Nowfocus on driving the car, following the road signs, braking, gear changing and maintaining the momentum –these are your ‘Process Goals’.
Outcome goals for riders might look like this: • Leisure rider –I would love to take my horse on holiday and ride on the beach
• Dressage rider –I would like to qualify for and compete at the Pet Plan Nationals
• ShowJumper –I would like to qualify for and compete at the Scope 0.95m championships
• Eventer –I would like to qualify for and compete at the Badminton Grass Roots championship.
Notice howspecific these goals are –it is important to knowexactly what you are hoping to achieve, the more specific you are the more committed you will be.
Performance goals for riders might look like this: • Leisure rider–Hack confidently for longer in unfamiliar territory • Dressage rider –qualify for first round pet plan • Showjumper –qualify in the first round at 0.95m • Eventing –complete 90cm BE double clear with adressage under 35
Debbieisnow runningonline
riderconfidence andrider
performance
courses;likeher Facebookpage
AheadForSport tofindoutmore.
person with apurpose has ahappy life, arider with purpose has ahappy horse, so as we enter anew year why not think about your purpose
Left: Photo courtesy of Chris Gallon Right: Photo courtesy of www. hoofprintsphotos.
co.uk
These goals keep us informed of the progress we are making so we knowwe are on track. When we are not reaching these stopping off points we knowwe need to revisit the process and look for areas which need improvement.
Process goals might look like this: • Leisure rider–work on the horse’s confidence get him used to and confident with all kinds of hazards
• Dressage rider–work on suppleness and consistency on the circles and lateral work
• ShowJumping –use flat work and grids to develop strength and athleticism
• Eventing–work on developing submission and obedience for accuracy at skinnies
The process goals are the most important part of the journey, because we can only reach the destination if the car is driven well and is mechanically sound. It helps to write down your Outcome Goal and set yourself a
date to reach it, this might be in one year. Then work back from your Goal and look for performance goals set at9months, 6 months,3months and then6weeks. Decide on your process goal for each month and then work back to your weekly goal and the detailed work you will put in each day to achieve your weekly and monthly goals. Start each week by setting out your daily schooling/exercise plan and write down this week’s goal. Then, at the end of each month look back and see how you have progressed. It will help to involve your coach too, because once they knowwhere you are headed too they can help with setting the process and performance goals. By having this clear focus and knowing your process you will
find that you begin to forget what anyone else thinks and your horse will start to focus too -it’sawin win situation, so what’s holding you back? Why not sit down nowand work out what you would like to achieve in 2018. If you would like afree goal setting sheet contact me through my
websitewww.ahead4life.com.
26
JANUARY/FEBRUARY2018
For the latest
newsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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