16 / Sport and Trail Magazine
what's your
story?
bY bARBRA sCHULTE
www.barbraschulte.com
Have you ever had someone walk up to you and say, "What's Your Story?"
If you’re like many folks, you might say something like, “Oh, I like to ride …” Your answer would be correct, but would it excite YOU?
It’s a common thing to love what we do, but settle for less than what would excite us the most.
By that I mean we allow our past results to dictate how we see our future potential.
But there are a couple of truths worth noting:
The past does not equal the future. You create what you think about … and how you think about it.
If you see yourself defined by past mistakes and disappointments, most of the time you will continue to produce the same.
Often this thwarted view makes you feel sad, and less than enthusiastic. You settle into a quiet resignation that things will never change. You settle for less.
It IS difficult sometimes to visualize the success you deserve and desire because your view is blocked by the reasons why you believe you can’t achieve it.
But there’s a fun way to think of future success that can stir a new belief in you about what can be.
Tell a story about yourself in the third person … as if you’re speaking of someone else.
It might go something like, “Once upon a time, there was a fun loving young girl (or guy) named, ___________ who LOVED horses. In her youth she got to do ________ and ________. And then later on x, and x, and x, and x.”
(Of course this person is you.)
Now bring yourself up to date and tell your story moving forward with a vision that excites you.
(name) decided one day to break out of feeling stuck. She saw herself doing what she really loved.
She decided to never let adversity dampen her spirit. She used obstacles as opportunities to grow ever wiser and stronger.
She took risks. She designed a riding life she loved, which was ___________. She went on to ________________.
She was so excited not to listen to those voices in her head that told her she couldn’t do what she loved in the way she loved to do it. She told herself that she was enough … and that is was all about HER journey … and not how things were judged on the outside.
She became creative. She asked for help. She never gave up. She loved her riding life.”