2019 Q4 wrap-up and 2020 Goals

I didn't do too bad checking off items in 2019.  I didn't really have any big goals, more day to day stuff that needed to be done.  Getting those items checked off gave me some motivation and momentum heading into 2020.

Barn/property Q4

• Sort winter/summer horse stuff in bins so I can actually find things when needed
• Stretch goal - sort gear by horse as well! - this did not happen.  oh well.
• Clean and sell tack I'm not using
• Set up new shelves in barn
• Clean windows, tack room, etc for winter
• Get trough heater going, since winter is definitely coming...

Personal Q4

• No Zero Days plan – test for Q4 and implement fully in 2020.  Thanks to L Williams again for sharing this – it has really helped me!
  • draft 2020 goals
• Continue saving to vet fund - set aside $50/pay to start
• Consistent exercise of some sort - this was a fail 
• Continue working on ideas to help anxiety (kinda vague, I know!)
• Plan meals and try to limit eating out - semi successful? Needs more work for 2020
• Savings for shows and some house repairs in 2020
• Meet 2019 goal of 40 books read (low hanging fruit)
• Volunteer somewhere - but not for a horse show/club - done and ongoing! This is sort of cheating, since I started volunteering for the therapeutic riding centre where Spencer now lives before I finished this post.

Work Q4

• Read work-related news articles in French (fun topics like organized crime, terrorism, etc.  lol)

I'm going to try setting some actual goals and plans for 2020 - I haven't really done a formal list of bigger goals in a while, so this should be interesting.  ;-)  This is my overall list - I have a more detailed break-down of what each big goal entails. I'm old school and keep all of this in a paper journal!  I'm also aiming to follow the no zero days philosophy to help keep me on track.

In my travels around the internet, I've found a few great resources on setting goals and failing and how to deal with all of that.  I've been totally sidetracked by Baby Yoda memes.  And yes I'm admitting that publicly, here on the internet.  ;-)

I came across a cool article on a running website and the gist of it is that it is ok to set goals and ok to fail.  What?  I know, crazy, right?    The article is about running and sports, but just sub out "athletic" with "equestrian" and you are all set. This quote really resonated:

"Athletic failure is not something we need to fear. It’s something we can celebrate as a community as a chance to learn and laugh. And by celebrating failure, we can truly explore our potential and have way more fun along the way."

I'm at a point now where I don't get too upset if a goal has to be re-assessed or changed or cut out completely.  I think you need to re-assess life pretty regularly to make sure things are on track, or if something new and exciting comes up, you are ready to accept it.   I'm making some tentative plans to show Fred, but if they don't come to fruition, well, so be it.  I'll just need to assess whether to keep trying or maybe sell him and focus on the baby horse coming in 2021 (fingers crossed). 

So, without further ado:

Horses:

• earn Fred's ROM (AQHA register of merit - each time a horse hits 10 points in a discipline/level, you get a certificate) in halter - we need 1.5 points in open and I think 3.5 points in amateur
• show at a different venue/different club (I've shown at the same 2 places for 98% of past shows)
• ride again - not sure what form this will take - riding a friend's horse, Fred, lessons, etc.
• attend a clinic of some sort

Fred

• work as weather permits in winter, then 3-5 times during the spring to get ready for shows
• continue under saddle work
• work on showmanship and in hand trail - maybe show at a schooling show?

Copper

• stay healthy!

Personal

• read 40 books
• back up and organize photos (my computer is dying, so this is urgent!)
• volunteer somewhere horse-y 
• save $$ for foal hopefully coming in 2021
• exercise program of some sort - aiming to run if the ankle holds up. I'm looking to do some virtual runs to help me have a goal/target and then maybe a bigger real-life run in the fall.
• stick to a budget (involves meal planning, saving up for shows, cooking at home, etc)
• read/listen to some horse training material - podcasts, youtube, books etc
• clean and oil tack
• continue to declutter and sell unused tack.  I did great with this in 2019, selling 3 saddles and a bunch of other stuff. 
• attend QH Congress (as a spectator) in October (I've missed the past 2 years!)

House/property

• complete some minor house renos/décor updates
• stay on top of yard/flowerbeds/fenceline
• keep barn tidy
• look into and start a plan/budget for some barn renos - eavestrough, upgrade lighting/wiring and maybe refinish the tack room