Groundwork: The Essential Pregame for Success
If you’ve been part of my world for a while, you know that my journey with horses began when Ruby decided that would be her thing. Fortunately, at the time, my best friend was eager to reconnect with horses after growing up with them. We dove in together, attending clinics, asking countless questions, and devouring every book we could find. Over the past four years, we’ve ridden, fallen off, and cried. I’ve questioned everything a hundred times, even swearing off riding and considering getting rid of all my horses. I’ve experienced the heartache of putting a horse to sleep in its final stage of life and the joy of raising young ones.
Here’s what I’ve learned: groundwork—the strategy, lessons, and manners—must come first and happen frequently. Horses are pack animals, always seeking a leader. As a rider, the horse must trust you and follow your instructions; otherwise, you risk ending up on the ground. That trust and partnership are built on the ground through what we call groundwork. I’ve taken numerous courses, read books, and discovered various methods of doing groundwork. The lessons translate directly to life and business.
You have to do the groundwork, and you have to do it often.
Recently, I ended up on the ground while riding because I didn’t want to do the work. I wanted to just go on a ride. But I hadn't spent any time working with my horse on the ground and he didn’t trust me. We hadn’t spent enough time doing the groundwork, and it showed.
This translates to life in such a beautiful way.
We can not neglect the groundwork—the things that make us feel better and compound over time that support our long-term vision. (AKA- the fun thing we are aiming for.)
We get lost in the desire to reach the destination, wanting money, good health, and all the things NOW. But those things take time and energy. Both the time and energy compound, creating sustainability.
That's the other thing about me, sustainability. I want things to LAST! Sure you can have a random success but what if it was more even and long-lasting? What if instead of the random $10k influx your business grew sustainably compounding over time and holding a steady growth pattern? What if your relationship started to have structure and foundation that eliminated your fear that it wouldn't work? And you really felt better "just because?".
My point is that you can't skip the groundwork if you want a sustainable life.
So, I ask you this:
What if we treated life, business, and all our endeavors with the same dedication and we did the groundwork? What if we got curious about the exercises necessary to reach our goals?
Here are three tips for implementing groundwork into your life to ensure you have the ride you want and feel proud of your time and energy:
1. Consistent Practice: Just as in horsemanship, consistent practice is key. Dedicate time regularly to the foundational activities that support your goals. Whether it’s daily exercise, skill-building, or self-reflection, make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
2. Build Trust and Relationships: In both life and business, relationships are crucial. Spend time nurturing trust and understanding with those around you. This can mean having open, honest conversations with colleagues, clients, or loved ones. Trust is the groundwork for successful collaboration and personal growth. This includes the relationship within yourself. Being able to trust yourself is key in life! My best rides were the ones where I had compounded trust within my choices as the leader of the pack.
3. Embrace the Process: Understand that the journey is just as important as the destination. Celebrate small victories and learn from setbacks. Each step in the groundwork is a building block toward your larger goals. Embracing the process helps you stay motivated and resilient.
Groundwork isn’t just about preparation; it’s about creating a solid foundation for everything you do. By committing to this essential pre-game, you’ll find that the ride to your goals becomes smoother, more enjoyable, and ultimately, more rewarding. So, what groundwork are you neglecting? What steps do you need to take to thrive in life? Remember, every aspect of life deserves the time and effort of groundwork.
Ride on,
Karissa Dean
