Surround yourself with people who have the habits you want to have yourself
This was a line in Atomic Habits by James Clear that really struck me. We talk a lot about Confidence in EquiTeam and just ahead of our Confidence Reset Boot Camp it seemed like a good time to think about why Equiteam Confidence Camps have been so successful at helping people build their confidence.
Feeling safe enough to admit vulnerability and needing help is a big deal for lots of us, especially those of us who learnt to ride 30 – 40 years ago when we were taught rather than coached, many of us just did as we were told rather than being brave enough to speak up and admit that we were feeling nervous (or in some cases terrified). It gives comfort knowing that everyone else is at the camp for the same reason whether they are jumping a pole on the ground or 1.30m, everyone is pushing out of their comfort zone. For some, that is getting to camp, for others it is XC or jumping a grid.
But admitting lacking in confidence and building it, although linked they aren’t the same thing.
We have learnt many ways to help people build their confidence, and the reasons why they lack it in the first place, but you will need to join the boot camp to hear more on that, but one of the reasons that I think camp works so well is that everyone has a shared goal; to build their confidence and enjoy riding their horses.
If you are trying to lose weight, it is a lot easier if everyone in your household is eating healthily, you inspire each other to keep going. If you want to get fit, it is easier with friends, obviously all of these things are possible on your own, it just requires more effort.
We are hard wired to want to fit in, have you ever noticed that you pick up mannerisms from people around you, or start copying accents when travelling or talking to someone for a period of time. Most of the time we aren’t even aware of it.
There are obviously times when fitting into a crowd isn’t a good choice, the mob mentality of joining in with something just because it is easier to join the crowd that go against them is often a flaw of human nature. However, if there is something you do want to achieve, you are more likely to make it with the right support.
In James Clear’s book it even goes as far as to say that children who are surround by children with a higher IQ, will often improve their own IQ. So, it stands to reason that if you want to build your confidence, surrounding yourself with others who are on the same path even if they are at different points, will help you achieve your goal.
This is one of the reasons Equiteam Confidence Camps work so well, but also the EquiTeam online community, everyone is there with a shared end goal – they want to enjoy their horses, be confident in and out of the saddle, and together they inspire each other to keep going, keep improving and keep building themselves and each other up!
If you want to build your confidence and enjoy riding again with support from like minded riders you can join EquiTeam for as little as £2.77 a week.
*memberships are paid annually or monthly. £2.70 per week is based on the annual subscription of £144. Monthly subscriptions are available for just £15 per month.
