If you are in the horse business, you know all about
work. There never seems to be an end to it either.
Being “all caught up” with your work is
impossible.
Being “all caught up” in your work is probable.
The nature of horses is to be “on” twenty four hours a
day. How many times have you wished for an off
switch for both horses and customers? A factory
owner gets to turn off the production machinery every
night, a landscape contractor turns off the mowers
and tractors at the end of the day, but the professional
horseman has a barn full of living animals dependent
on his diligence for survival.
The question of whether being directly “on call” is fair
or not isn’t worth thinking about. The
responsibility is a given in the horse
business.
The question for you to think about and answer as a
professional horseman is whether you are creating
the opportunity in your busy life for rest and
play. The work, work, work mantra of many
business owners is a philosophy for a miserable life
for the owner and everyone around him or her.
Consider the balance of work, rest and
play in your life for a moment and these suggestions:
Rest
- Set a regular bedtime each night and do your best
to stick to it.
- Rise each morning at the same time. Weekends
too. Like our horses, our bodies thrive on routine and
stress on chaos.
- Replace your mattress if it doesn't provide the
comfort you deserve.
- Indulge in at least one break in the morning, in the
afternoon, and stop to eat lunch.
- Your mind and body will function better with
defined breaks in your daily timeline to rejuvenate.
Play
- Schedule at least one day off a week, two days is
better. Create time for yourself to be away from the
farm and business doing non-horse activities. The
movie theatre, the art museum or a live concert will do
wonders for providing the opportunity to relax
enjoyably.
- Consider a fitness program to complement your
busy daily life style. A fitness center or personal
trainer can help you stretch and tone muscles and
improve your cardio health in ways riding horses
won't.
- The mind and body stay fresh when they have the
opportunity to experience new things. Yoga class,
dance lessons, scuba lessons, classes in painting,
instrument and voice instruction are all opportunities
to do something just for you.
- Plan a vacation away from the farm and your
home. Even if it's just a weekend away from it, the
opportunity to play and relax will provide measurable
results in your renewed attitude and productivitiy. Try
it, it works!
Now, if you need permission to take a break, slow
down or have some fun, You are hereby ordered
to
get work, rest and play in balance!
