Did he really just send me a snap chat with the time 3:17 a.m. “ What, you should be asleep? Son, go back to bed!” Is what I thought. This wasn’t the first time he had sent it either. The picture was, as many times before, a shot of the arena, with his horse’s mane right down the middle. Up and at it. I thought I got up early at 5:30, but he beat me to it and was already at work. He wasn’t the only one sometimes in the picture. Another one of his teammate’s from the Texas Tech Ranch Horse Team, was there as well.
The team had made a decision that they were going to win Nationals. I hadn’t seen dedication like this in awhile. Now, I know it’s out there everywhere. Two a days have already started for many of you. As I spoke to him each time, he would make a comment about how much they had all improved. It actually made me want to do better. I could see what it was doing for him and I desired the same dedication within myself. I got up a little early, read first thing, spent a little more time keeping my focus in my prayer time and really trying to listen to what God was saying. I also started working out and writing more consistently….Lord knows I need the practice.
Have you ever noticed when you get around people that are dedicated, that it changes the way you feel. Your focus goes off of being tired and switches to a goal in mind. You feel rejuvenated!! You look forward to the next time, you begin to see results. You see results in your horse. My husband always tells me when you stop learning something on your horse, it’s time to get off. It may not be a horse that you are looking to see results in or a team that has a common goal in mind. It might be something totally different. It may be weight lose, getting your finances under control,or getting better at your craft. Whatever you are working towards, maybe like me you just need a little motivation.
- Get Around Someone Who Inspires You: I saw what it did for me. Inspiring people are contagious. Whether it’s a mentor, a coach, a friend. I know the friends whom I should call when I need a little encouragement or even someone who might pray with me in a struggle. I can also share with them a goal and know they won’t laugh at me.
- Daydream: Sometimes I forget to do this but when I do, I feel more on track as far as the big picture of life. Our imagination is a gift from God, when used the right way. Just take a ride out to the pasture, a walk with a journal to record your thoughts, or go for a drive. If you don’t allow yourself to have a little alone time, you can quickly fall into the work all the time zone. I like to work, it makes me feel good. If I’m not careful I forget about the gift of rest and daydreaming. What do you imagine you’ll look like in five years? What are you created to do? What ways can you practice?
- Write It Down and Set A Date: The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to redefine goals. Don’t make a chore out of it, just write down your top three goals. Take a few minute, try setting a timer for just 5 minutes. What’s most important to you? Now take that goal and break it down. What do you want to accomplish by this time next year? What do you want to accomplish six months from now….you know Christmas is four months away? One of your goals might be to stay out of debt, so you might budget some extra each money to put towards Christmas. What do you want to accomplish by this time next month? Make each goal measureable and put a date on it. Goals without dates are just daydreams.
- Read: The people I admire the most and have learned the most from, are readers. That’s probably why they are so good at what they do. They never stop being a student. Just like I said about the horse earlier. A couple of books that have made a big impact on helping us accomplish goals. Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey. Max Lucado also has several small books on leadership.
- Practice: Nothing beats practice, and implementing what I learn. A Craig Cameron video does not make me a horseman. I have to practice and practice. Just like those 3:17 a.m. snap chats. …..well maybe I won’t get up that early, but consistent practice will help us reach our goals.
So what was the result of the teams practices. There dedication, there hauling to clinicians to become better for the Nationals. Well,…………….they won it! And here they are! It really does pay off !!
Ranch Horse Team Captures Fifth National Championship
Well, off to doing a little practicing. ………………………………
Are you a goal setter? What results have you seen because of it? Love hearing from you and hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already……………………….thecowboypastorswife
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