Lesson one:
Old Habits Die HARD! But it will be consistency and determination that prevail.
We all have had these experiences. We all have tried to change how we do things, or how we think of things. New Years resolutions are an excellent example, trying to live healthier or to break the bad habits we want to cleans ourselves of.
I think the first step in this process is to ADMIT that we want to change. Which shouldn’t be too difficult because if we weren’t looking to change we really wouldn’t be in this situation to change an old habit, and replace it with a new habit.
The second step is to become KNOWLEDGEABLE. Find out what it is you are doing that you’d like to change. (Ex. letting the horse eat continuously). Understand what it is that you are trying to get to, (horse not eating while being handled). And find a solution to this situation. A continuous correction in which you can apply to help aid the change from one situation to another. Without this knowledge we really just fall back into the unknowing habit of doing what it was that lead us to the place we got to in the first place.
Once we find this solution then we can apply it in a consistent manner and patiently observe the PROCESS of the change. During this process there may be many challenges and times where we might falter back to our old habits. STAY MINDFUL. Keep your emotions intact and know that you are taking the path of change and that in the end it is consistency and determination that will get you through.
And as Pat Parelli would say “polite and passive persistence in the proper position”… I knew there must be a “pat” quote to go along with this. But of course… only perfect practice makes perfect.