Last challenge focused on developing a short term plan. For the month of October, I’d like to encourage you to think about your long term ambitions. That is, what you want your career to be for the long term – more than the next 12 months.
Although the goals should be for the long term, they should include tasks that you can carry out daily, weekly and monthly! This will help you to feel that you’re moving towards your end goal. You may find as you progress towards these goals, that your focus changes. For example, you may initially want to be a farrier to all horses and find as you study and learn, that you want to focus on a specific market, such as correcting conformational issues in horses, or focusing on barefoot hoof care.
Now these goals (yes, plural!) could relate to many things that will help you in your equine career. They could involve:
- Gaining a high level qualification that could take a number of years, such as a degree
- Working towards a management position
- Developing your own clientele and business
- Gaining a certain amount of international experience and skills over a number of years
The idea of a long term plan is that it helps you to better develop yourself and work towards an end goal, in a set time frame. The goal should be one that isn’t able to be attained overnight, you’ll need to work at it consistently. Once you’ve determined what you want to do over the next 5-10 years, be sure to make them as SMART as possible (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely).
As with your short term goals, be sure to congratulate yourself as you make steps forward. And if you find you take a step backward, don’t let this deter you.
Use the experience to learn and move forward stronger and more educated about what doesn’t work. As you learn what doesn’t work, it can encourage you to focus on a different direction that does. Be sure to ask others about their hiccups or ‘failures’. If they’re successful in their field, chances are they’ve had to overcome obstacles – this isn’t a bad thing! Stay positive and keep pursuing your dream.
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