Priorities

In my lessons, I have noticed a reoccurring theme. Ask for impulsion (or in layman terms - "stop slouching around and put some energy into it") and then collect it in the front. In other words - don't let the energy you've created blow out the front door - restructure it. "Ask for it and organize it" is a much shouted phrase in my lessons.

Warning: digression

One reason I think I am enjoying my lessons so much is my instructor isn't worried about speed. As a result, my lessons are sometimes quite exhilarating. I don't spend a lot of time holding Farley back - instead I'm taking all that energy and "organizing it". It's fun. The end result is the correct speed and (sometimes) beautiful, but without me feeling like I've been "holding her back". That would be opposite of what I want - I want to drive her forward! However, right now, our canter (actually should be "canter") resembles a gymkhana winning drive home, complete with bucking at top speed. And hollering - coming mainly from my instructor "organize, organize, organize!". Lots of fun. It's getting better.

End of Digression

Yesterday's post was on Motivation. Motivation is wonderful. It's like the gitty up and go of your life - but how do you collect that and "organize it"?

While the "excuses" of why we can't do something may be perfectly valid (family, money, time, etc.), the fact remains - here's the kicker - we are all on this earth for a very very short time. I think that when we get to the end, most of us will leave a few things undone and a few activities untried. It's up to you to harness and organize your motivation the best you can, using priorities and balance, to accomplish what is important - whether it's participating in an activity because the motivator is enjoyment, or there is a specific goal.

Priorities
Let's talk about priorities. Several times I have made priority lists. I usually forget them shortly after constructing them. Then I wonder why I'm-so-miserable-and-busy-and-never-have-time-to-do-the-things-I-want-to. Then I remember the priority lists. I make a new one. The cycle repeats.

My priorities will help me make good choices. I won't (hopefully) get frustrated when I'm not accomplishing something because the items that are higher priorities keep getting in the way. My "excuses" are actually a way of expressing things that are a higher priority.

I realized several months ago that my participation in the Fort Point Garrison Brass Band was making it nearly impossible to get in the conditioning rides I needed to. My priority was clear and I let the band know that my regular participation in events and rehearsals had to end. As a result I am much happier and less stressed because I'm not sacrificing a high priority item for a low one.

So, if a high-priority item in your life is making it impossible to do a low-priority event, either reevaluate your priorities, or come to terms with the fact that the activity, at least right now, is probably impossible to accomplish. That's OK! There are seasons to life!

Balance
One of the early posts of this blog was on Balance. Probably because it is so difficult for me to accomplish.

• Is it coincidence that the year I focused LESS on getting to endurance events, that I completed more rides, and tried my first 100?
• Am I a happier, healthier person now that horses have not completely overtaken my life and instead occupy a healthy portion of it?
• Did you notice that I talked about my health in the Balance post? This was before Minx died and my entire energy was focused on the horses, I didn't have time to run or do anything else, include see family.
• I've gotten better at saying no and dissapointing people.
• Balance is the number one reason I have decided not to add a second horse to my life.
  

Even though an event is a high priority for you, doesn't mean it should accompany the entire "pie" of your life. Balance is key.

Of course, another reader of the blog pointed out to me that balance isn't always good. Would Olympic athletes get to where they are if they were too balanced? Isn't the way to get good at something, really really good, is to let it take over? Maybe, but I'm not mental stable enough for that! I need balance.

OK - I'm done with the soap-box posts for a while. Any thoughts? How do you harness and organize your motivation?