Work has been completely crazy and out of hand this week, juggling helping at the bait factory on top of my normal workload, as well as trying to get my latest assignment in for an online course. There hasn’t been much downtime or time for reflection, but my mind does keep drifting back to our podcast on Monday and that we do need to make the most of our time. So chase your dream as though you are going to catch it and make it a reality. The question is how to juggle everything and make them happen?
Ironically as I logged into the Equiteam website to write this blog somehow the blog – How hard are you willing to work appeared on the screen – no idea how, AI is maybe taking over and was sending me a message. This morning however, I can quite honestly say that I am working hard – I set an intention last night to get up and join in with Equestrian Fitness Scotland’s EquiCore workout this morning and I did! I can confirm that the first 30 minute core workout that I have completed in a very long time was quite hard work, but I am so pleased I did it.
Joining in with the live workout I was reminded by how good working out with other people is, and that working with a coach is so helpful – Lauren has an uncanny ability (even though she isn’t looking at you) to know when it is getting hard, and when you are losing posture or starting to cheat. The “Don’t hunch your shoulders like a turtle” made me giggle inside as that is exactly what I was doing at that point. The helpful – “Come on, you are doing really well” is something I didn’t realise I had been missing while I have been working away on my own doing my physio and popping to the gym. It is so nice to know other people are feeling like you do at that point and they aren’t giving up either.
It really does make such a difference having someone else in the background telling you to keep going. So if you haven’t yet joined the live workouts, set your alarm and give them a go – you can turn your camera off so no one can see you if you prefer.
EquiTeam members can find the link in their emails or in EquiTeam Connected. These workouts will be happening LIVE for the rest of September.
Seeing the blog pop up also made me think that up until today I probably could have been working harder. The school summer holidays are the ideal excuse as to why things haven’t quite gone to plan, and that is ok, but now I am giving myself a bit more time to think and plan my time better. A new pack of pens a fresh notebook or two and some rethinking of which goals I am going to focus on as the seasons change.
Inspiring others
I didn’t want to let Lauren down this morning by not turning up, even though it would have been very easy to use a poor night of sleep as an excuse, but I knew she would be up and ready to go.
Sometimes it is good to remember that you are also an inspiration. I went for a walk at the weekend with a friend who is trying to exercise more and lose some weight. We used to walk together quite often before I moved house, pre surgery when I was quite sore, and post surgery when I was still at reduced speed. I hadn’t realised as I have been walking by myself or with Chloe lately that I am back to full ‘groom speed’ and she was struggling to keep up. When we got back to my house on the top of the hill, quite red and sweaty, she confessed that if she had been on her own she would have been dawdling along and although would have finished the walk, she would have done it at a much slower pace, so she was really pleased to have come with me and we are going again at the weekend.
We had this conversation at camp too – people forget that at whatever stage they are at, someone else is looking at them being inspired too. If you are hacking for pleasure, there is the person who wants to be brave enough to go hacking. When we are at camp we know the journey lots of our riders have been on, their confidence wobbles and incredible progress, but to the new riders coming in, they only see the rider they want to be.
We are all on this weird spinning planet together, we are all different, have different goals and dreams in life and with our horses, but we can all give something to someone – a kick up the bum or an honest conversation to a friend when they need it, a hug, some advice or you might be inspiring them to dream big, or simply keep going.
Remember you are an inspiration too!
Lou x
