Conquer Horseback Riding Fears by Changing the Software in Your Mental Computer
By Jane Savvoie
One of the biggest mistakes riders make when we ’ re trying to overcome horseback riding fears is that we direct our efforts toward the conscious mind . You know--willpower , iron-jawed determination . The problem with that strategy is that you can only make shortterm , temporary changes when you direct your efforts to your conscious mind . To make permanent changes , direct your efforts to the part of your brain that truly determines your actions--your subconscious mind .
You see , your subconscious mind believes everything you say and imagine , sees it as the goal and tries to make it come true . It ’ s just waiting for your instructions . So , like a guided missile , it ’ ll keep you on the course you ’ ve set for it . And you alone are responsible for charting that course by what you see in your mind ’ s eye and by what you say you want .
When I think about changing mental software , I ’ m reminded of Albert Einstein ’ s definition of insanity . He says , “ Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result ”. If you ’ re a fearful or timid rider , you ’ ve probably been beating yourself up about it for a very long time . The software in your mental computer says you ’ re a chicken so you ’ re going to feel like a chicken . So , if you want to demolish fear , the only way you can change the way you feel is to reprogram your mind by installing new software in your mental computer .
The bonus of changing your mental software rather than using will power or iron-jawed determination is that it ’ s a lot easier to do and the results are permanent . All you have to do are two simple things . Reprogram your mind through visualization and self-talk .
8 • Walking On