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!