Self Belief…

Self Belief…

To believe in ourselves is to have faith in our abilities. The definition of faith is believing in something you cannot see. You have to have faith in yourself that you can do it. Wanting to do something is not enough, we need to truly believe that we can achieve our goals, otherwise we will never get there. When you’re faced with something that scares you, intimidates you, or feels like too much pressure, you have to be able to visualize yourself doing it.

I have struggled with performance anxiety and lack of belief along my horse journey and I’ve found what’s been most helpful for this is having a strong support team who has my back and can cheer me on when I’m struggling. It’s important to go out there and try, and have faith that you can do it even when it feels intimidating and vulnerable. Things are always easier at home but, when we are in the competition ring or in a situation where we need to perform, we have to hold onto our belief in ourselves. The best tool I’ve found for lowering my anxiety around performance has been preparation. Recognizing the pieces I need to train more thoroughly, understanding what is required for the situation/competition, rehearsing my ride both physically and mentally. Preparation will lower your anxiety and build your confidence in yourself and your horse. The more we practice the better we feel and the stronger our belief in ourselves becomes! It’s amazing how much can change when we start to put in the work and train in higher pressure environments more often. This builds not only belief in yourself but belief in your horse and horses can feel this. Trust the journey and have faith in your abilities!

#believeinyourself #horsemanship #barrelracing #performanceanxiety

Photo Credit: Nina Maria Photography