by Michelle Tremblay 

As an avid horseback rider, I was thinking the other day about how similar this activity is to venturing ahead in the business world.  You start with a large animal - one that you may not know very well, but that you are excited to get to know.  The connection between you and this horse either starts immediately, or may take some time, but if you want to go for the ride, you must take the chance and try to connect with that horse.

Everything about riding is uncertain because no matter how much you know, or think you know about the actual sport of it, you are still dealing with an animal, an unpredictable, tempermental animal.  As you mount the horse to go for your ride, you may have a specific trail or route in mind that you would like to ride however, your horse could have different ideas of where he would like to go, and if you don’t take control, you could end up allowing the horse to take you on his route rather than choosing your own.

There are many obstacles along the ride that you will have to deal with, such as streams, fallen trees, and small animals darting from the bushes that could spook your horse. All of these things must be taken into consideration when deciding to go for your ride.  You need to ask yourself:

Are you willing to deal with the obstacles that come your way?  Or is the unknown too difficult or scary for you to consider? 

If you decide to face your fear and take the ride anyway, how is it that you will deal with the obstacles once you have met up with them?  Will you encourage your horse to ride through the stream, or find a way around it? 

Will you be able to stay on your horse if he spooks from that small rabbit darting out at him - or will you end up on the ground? If you end up on the ground, will you simply brush yourself off, get back on and continue your ride? Or will you collect your horse and walk back on foot to the barn.

All of these questions are those that must be considered not only when riding a horse, but when deciding to make a change in your career.  To attempt something new, different but very uncertain that could go in so many different directions is difficult.  You may change your mind once you get started, and you may want to go back to the barn.  However, if you get back on that horse and continue the ride, you will experience something like never before - a new found freedom and the feeling of accomplishment that you get from completing that ride.

Please know that you are not alone if you decide to make the choice to go back to the barn.  I’ve made that choice several times over the years however,  it was not until I finally brushed myself off and got back up on that horse that I began the best ride of my life.  Sure there are many obstacles in my way,  conflicts that arise, and difficult decisions to be made along the way, but I do my best to stay on and deal with each obstacle as it arises, rather than worrying about the “what if’s” that could possibly change my path. 

What I get out of both riding and business are one in the same, freedom, excitement, joy, a sense of accomplishment, and yes, sometimes fear.  However, in both riding and business - the end justifies the means - what I get from it far outweighs any fear I may have in attempting it.

Filed under: Author Michelle, Work