Work and riding? There’s time for both, you say? Yes – there’s time for both! When it’s time to face the real world and start paying the bills, life can take over your world and force you to manage your time in a way that suits both. We equestrians know that our sport is not only an activity that we enjoy, but it becomes our lifestyle. Horses require full time care, attention and hard work. It’s all fun and games until you graduate college and have to enter into the fun working world. After I graduated college I went through a year of “not having enough time” and letting my schedule consume my time with my horse. It took me a whole year. This is me telling you not to make the same mistake. Every minute you can spend with your horse is valuable time and it is possible to make this work. These are the steps I took to turn my life around.
Wake up earlier. I was waking up around 7:30 to get to work around 8:30 and I would get to work tired, grumpy and forever dreaming that I was in the barn. The days would go by slowly and by the time I got home and did barn chores, it was late, dark and I went to bed just to repeat this cycle the next day. I started waking up at 5:30, getting to the barn by 6:30 and having a full lesson with my trainer (6 days a week). The whole cycle has changed. I arrive at work with more energy, the days have started to fly by and I am significantly more productive.
Plan your day the night before. When you waking up at the crack of dawn, chances are you may be too sleepy to function 100%. Plan as much as you can the night before. Lay out your riding clothes, pack your work clothes and pack a hearty breakfast for after your ride. Lately I have been making different variations of overnight oats and they do just the trick. I grab a granola bar in the morning before my ride and by the time I get to work after my ride, my stomach is growling and my oats fill me up until lunch.
Make a schedule. I have lessons six days a week and my trainer (bless her heart) comes to the barn early every morning. Your trainer wants success for you and he or she just might be willing to wake up extra early for you. Ya never know until ya ask. Once you make that schedule, stick to it. Having an agenda will hold you accountable and once you get into that routine, you will never sleep in again.
Talk to your boss. Be open with your boss. I spoke with my boss and told her that I was willing to work later and take shorter lunches in order to make sure I had enough time in the morning with my horse and she was very understanding. Don’t be afraid to ask and make time for the things that are important to you.
Enjoy. Enjoy every minute you get. Even though you may feel rushed or that some days you feel like you are just squeezing in a ride, just remember that you are lucky and no day in the barn is ever a bad day.
Leave a Reply