How Much Energy Will You Put into Things You Want to Achieve?

October 15, 2009

Lately we have been noticing something interesting about the humans who come to Hold Your Horses Farm to work with us horses. The humans want us to do something for them-to let them lead us into the round pen; or move around them in a circle; or jump over an obstacle they place in our path.But many of them don't seem willing to put much energy into getting us to do it.  They ask us a bit half-heartedly.  It seems like they don't really mean it.

Naturally, when they don't seem to have much energy for the task, we don't either.  If you ask me to do something in a half-hearted way, I'll give you a half-hearted response.  If you want energy from me, I need some energy from YOU.

Don't get me wrong.  You don't have to overwhelm me with the power of your request.  Horses ask each other to do things all the time, and we use only as much energy as is necessary to get the job done.  Sometimes that means flicking an ear at Ginger to get her to move.  Other times it means nipping Preacher on the rear to get him to move out of my way.  Sometimes it means shouldering Shade and pushing him out of the way.  Horses don't overdo it.  We simply figure out how much energy we need to use.  We often start out small and increase the energy as we go along.  I think you humans call that "trial and error."  We keep trying things until we find the amount of energy and pressure that WORKS.

What seems to be missing when humans approach a task is that they use the amount of energy they think is necessary; then they don't increase it when that doesn't work.  If you are saying to yourselves, "I'd like that nice horse to follow me," and then not demonstrating that you are determined to make it happen, and, instead, thinking about how tired you are, I'm going to plan to sit in the shade and sleep until I'm convinced that you really mean it and will back it up.

I wonder if you humans hold back your energy with all of the goals you set?  If so, I'd suggest that you consider increasing the energy you use to get what you want. Because if your goal isn't important enough to put some energy into, you might as well forget it.  Any goal you pursue will take energy.

We horses use energy to reach our goal of eating the grass, for instance.  We have to move around and find the best grass to eat, especially this time of year.  Preacher likes the clover, so he really has to hunt around to achieve that goal.  If we were not willing to put some energy into the search, we'd be very hungry and frustrated.  When we are willing to expend the energy to find the best grass, we're fat and happy. (Actually expending the energy keeps us from getting too fat).

I think you humans need to look at what you are trying to achieve and how much energy you need to use to make it happen.  When you increase your energy, I think you will have more success-with us and with your other goals.

Neighs & Whinnies,

Goomba


PS. If you have trouble getting started with your goals, my human, Linda Pucci can help.  She knows all sorts of ways to help you get started and keep moving.  She helps lots of humans get unstuck in their life or their career. You can reach her at 865-983-7544 or by email at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com.   I'll bet she can get you moving.  And she won't even have to use a halter and lead rope! 

The Key is to Get Moving

I just love hanging out in the shade of our run-in shed here at Hold Your Horses Farm. The flies aren't as bad in the shade, and I can enjoy the company of my herd. Sometimes, though, the humans have a different idea, and want me to "work."

They put on my halter, and begin to try to move me with the lead rope. They want me to leave the comfort of my shed and go out into the sunlight and into the round pen. Don't get me wrong. The "work" they want me to do isn't plowing fields or carrying heavy humans around on my back for hours. They want me to interact with other humans and help them learn important lessons.

I start teaching right away. The human pulls on the lead rope to try to get me to move. I plant my feet. I want to see if they really mean it. I'm not going to make this easy. Sometimes they talk to me, and I can tell by their tone of voice and their body language if they are determined or not. I weigh about a thousand pounds (the grass has been lush this summer). I am stronger than they are. I'm pretty determined to stay in the shade. They pull. I dig in with my back feet and throw my weight backwards. I can tell that they are beginning to get frustrated. I think they might give up and let me stay here. I think this is a test of what they do when they encounter things that are difficult. I think I can win this. They pull; I resist. I can do this all day.

Then someone moves me to the side. I can go in that direction. This must be a compromise. I am willing to move a few steps. Or someone taps me on the rear with the lead rope. That's annoying. I'll move to get away from that. The point is, I have begun to move.

Once I have started moving in some direction, I know I am ready to work. They have learned the lesson I wanted to teach: Even though movement toward a goal isn't always straightforward, the key to reaching a goal is to get moving and keep moving. Once the movement toward a goal begins, you can easily change directions if things aren't going in exactly the right direction.

This isn't only true of moving horses. It is also true of your ability to move towards your human goals. The key is to get moving. Do something. Take action. You can always adjust your course, but you get nowhere if you don't take that first step.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Preacher

P.S. If you have trouble getting started with your goals, my human, Linda Pucci can help. She knows all sorts of ways to help you get started and keep moving. She helps lots of humans get unstuck in their life or their career. You can reach her at 865-983-7544 or by email at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com. I'll bet she can get you moving. And she won't even have to use a halter and lead rope!

© 2009 Linda S. Pucci, Ph.D.