January's To Do List

    How are those New Year's resolutions coming? I have heard from some of you. Although it has only been 9 days in and as a whole, we have already fell off the wagon a few times. Most of you have just climbed right back on. It is encouraging and motivating to hear the goals and specific things you are doing to achieve them. Here are a few ideas to help keep you on track:

• Write down your 2013 goals, if you haven't already.
• Now make a January To Do list of the one thing (per goal) you can do this month that will take you one step closer to achieving that goal.
• Next schedule your January To Do list items in your day planner and treat them like you would any other appointment. If your list includes items like drink less pop-- then schedule a time 2 or 3 times weekly to review your progress and make a specific plan such as: cut intake in half every two weeks. Be specific: current intake is 32 ounces per day; cutting in half to 16 ounces per day on 1/10/13 and will cut to 8 ounces per day on 1/24/13.
• Write your top Six goals on the back of a business card and carry it in your back pocket or wallet. Make another list and post it on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror. When you read it, do a quick review in your head- what are you doing this week toward each goal.
• Join or start a support group for each goal and check in daily, if online, or meet weekly in person. Share your goals; achievements, and challenges. Encourage other members.

It looks like this at the Ranch:

    I.  I have listed the Top Six goals for 2013:

1. Teach all horses The Method Fundamentals.
2. Make a show ribbon wreath for Christmas. 
3. Reinforce the perimeter fencing to keep the neighbors' cows off the pastures.
4. Build the interior paddocks. 
5. Keep the Ranch books up to date. 
6. Arena Footing. 

II. What I will do in January to help me achieve my goals:

1. I will teach each horse the Fundamental groundwork tasks through Lunging for Respect Stage 1. This will give me a great start to establish control and respect of each horse prior to our future training sessions. 
2. I will collect the 2013 Show schedules for my disciplines and send in necessary registrations for the 2013 Show season. 
3. I will walk the perimeter fence, shore up any holes, and make a repair plan starting with the most critical sections first. 
4. I will use the satellite images and walk the interior and make a paddock design plan including a materials list. 
5. I will enter receipts into Quickbooks daily, separate items at the checkout, and run a P&L at the end of January. 
6. Put stakes out to mark the new arena size and disc the entire surface area then rake up the rocks. 

III. Put the January steps into my day planner and am committed to keeping them. 

1. I scheduled three to four training sessions each week, in a row when possible. 
2. I will put the show schedules into my day planner for 2013. 
3. I scheduled ranch work hours to complete projects each weekend. 
4. I scheduled ranch planning time each week. 
5. I put a reminder in my day planner to enter receipts and to run a P&L for the ranch on the 15th and 30th of each month. 
6. I entered the arena footing project on the ranch weekend project work list. 

IV. I made a quick reminder list (below)  on the back of one of my business cards to carry with me and printed a list  for the barn door. 

1. Horse Training Sessions- Fundamentals
2. Show Ribbon Wreath
3. Ranch Weekend Projects:
• Perimeter Fencing (3)
• Interior Paddocks (4)
• Arena Footing (6)
4. Enter receipts daily. (5)

V. Support groups for each goal:

1. I am a member of the No Worries Club at downunderhorsemanship.com . 
2. I am a member of several local riding clubs.
3. I am a member of a ranch cooperative group that helps each other out on their respective ranches. (3/4/6)
4. I am a member of Equestrian Professionals at equestrianprofessionals.com (5)

    There are a lot of groups on facebook that can help you reach your 2013 goals. I belong to a Healthy Living support group that encourages members to stay motivated and stay accountable. Whether you're trying to lose weight, eat right, or quit smoking, if several of your facebook friends are trying to commit to a healthier lifestyle, then start a group and invite them to join you. You can form groups for other common goals as well such as Better Horsemanship, Financial Peace, or Walking closer with God. You can also write your goals down at 43Things.com  It is set up to track your progress, see how many other people are trying reach similar goals, and find out how other people achieved the goal you are working on. It's a great forum to share your journey while you encourage others. 

     So even if you've fallen off the wagon a few times already in 2013, you can always climb back on. You don't get to the top of a mountain by jumping, you must climb up one step at a time. Set your January to do list now and start checking off the first steps toward  December's Great Achievements list.