FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2012 65
yourself. You may also make mistakes through this process.
In life there really are no mistakes, there are only learnings.
Ignore the criticism you may receive from others when you
make mistakes, listen to your intuition and inner voice and
continue on your path. And remember, we learn more from our
mistakes than doing things perfectly.
At this point you may be saying to yourself, “How does this
apply to successful performance?” Well, the most successful
athletes have learned that trainers and advice from others is
important in the training process; but the truly great athletes
know that in order to perform well, they must listen to their inner
voice when competing, trusting in their instincts to make the
right decisions which leads them to greatness. There are plenty
of superstar athletes who have never had much formal training.
These athletes are very good performers because through
trial and error, without the mental confusion and criticism of
coaches, trainers, parents, friends, etc., they have learned how
to perfect their performance on their own. They may spend time
watching other great performers and trying the techniques they
have watched. Without the restrictions of constantly looking
to others for instruction or correction, these superior athletes
have become innovators in their techniques.
I was fortunate to fnd what I love to do at an early age - be
an equestrian and help other people and animals in need. I
have had to develop enormous amounts of strength, courage
and determination to stay on this path, while others have tried
to push me in other directions. There will always be obstacles
in your path. These obstacles test your commitment to listen
to your inner voice, intuition and connect with your heart and
soul. The obstacles and struggles also build your strength to
achieve your dreams. It would have been easy to quit doing
sport psychology because it is not a lucrative job. It would have
been easy to quit riding because it is expensive and I have an
80 percent legally disabled right leg. Through the good times
and bad times, my commitment has always been to follow my
intuition, my inner voice and my heart and soul. If you do this,
you will have an interesting life, one that you love living. The
path least taken is not always the easiest; but it is the most
rewarding and meaningful. Beautiful Sarah Greenhalgh and
Steve Jobs knew this and lived meaningful, creative, successful
lives, just like many superior athletes have done.
Ann S. Reilly, Ph.D. is a sport psychologist and author of “A
Sport Psychology Workbook for Riders,” available from amazon.
com. Questions for Ms. Reilly’s column can be addressed to
areilly627@aol.com.