New year, new start

Traditionally, 1 January represents a fresh start – an opportunity to readjust and create exciting new goals, and 2023 will be no different. You’ve probably set new resolutions every year, full of big plans and goals around getting fit, eating more healthily and riding more but how often do these actually happen?

New year is the perfect time to review, reflect and refine new goals and dreams. But it’s something we do every year to then only have our resolutions fall by the wayside. Perhaps we should change the way we consider these new ambitions and goals, so that we’re better able to make them happen? Here are my top tips for creating more meaningful and impactful new year’s resolutions.

Review your year

It’s difficult to make changes if you’re not sure of your starting point. To help with this, it’s worth spending some time looking back at the previous 12 months to identify your successes and ask yourself some questions…

• what achievements or experiences were you most proud of?
• what feedback did you receive (from others, your horse or yourself)?
• what are your happiest memories and when and where were they created?
• what did you learn that could help you move forward?
• where are you now in your riding?
• what’s working and what remains a challenge?

When you get a handle on your starting point from a non-judgemental, objective perspective, you can make better, more accurate decisions on your next steps towards your goals and dreams.

Bucket list

Think big! If those obstacles (real or imaginary) weren’t in your way, what would you dream of doing with your horse? It could be anything from galloping along a beach to hacking out with friends or on your own, from competing at the next level to going to a training camp to learn new groundwork techniques.

All too often, we limit ourselves to what we believe is possible for us, with the result that we only aim as high as our perception of our ability allows. Instead, be brave enough to suspend disbelief for a few moments while you write out your equestrian bucket list. Reignite your passion for doing what you love by identifying those hopes and dreams that truly inspire you and mean the most to you.

Resolutions or re-solutions?

Being resolute suggests determination, hard work and a dogged dedication to the cause, all of which, of course, are important features but could also imply that a huge amount of effort is required – and it might not be much fun! Instead, why not consider resolutions as re-solutions? The unconscious mind can use previous successes, achievements and experiences to help us uncover simpler, more efficient pathways toward our goals.

When we explore different ways of thinking, as well as different solutions and options, the changes we want can often come naturally and more easily than they would have done previously. Rather than becoming fixated on what we don’t want, we should focus on what we do want to allow us to actively think about and seek the solutions that will make all the difference.

Do you want to find out more ways that you can achieve your goals in 2023? Check out January Horse&Rider – on sale now!