Hey Look Ma, I Made It! A Young Professional’s Perspective
You know when you’re a kid and you imagine what it’s like to be 16 and get your driver’s license? Like it seems so far away, and you can’t imagine ever being old enough to drive a car all by yourself, and you think about how different you’ll feel once you reach that milestone? Then all of a sudden when you’re 16 and driving and life carries on as it always has? Or how when you’re 16 and you romanticize graduating from college, being a “grown up”, and living in the “real world”, like one day you automatically hit adulthood and all of a sudden, you’ve arrived? Only to realize that you still don’t know how to fold a fitted sheet, still aren’t totally sure when to use a semicolon, and definitely don’t have your life entirely figured out? Yeah. Same, same.
That was the same way I approached thinking about that “one day” when I would become a professional. And the “someday” when I would open my own business. Ever since I can remember, I knew I wanted to work with horses. As soon as I realized that I could make a career out of training horses and riders, I was sold. The thing is – as a kid and a teenager, turning “professional” or running my own business always seemed so far down the road. Surely, by then, I thought, I would have accomplished all I wanted to accomplish as a rider, know everything there is to know about training horses and riders, and well, everything else, while we’re at it. That’s funny, considering I’ve been at it a while now, and spoiler alert: I don’t even come close to knowing everything. I probably never will.
The thing is – I think if you asked someone who’s been in this industry forever, they would tell you the same thing. At least, anyone who is worth their salt would. Horses are all so unique that it would be impossible to ever know all there is to know about every single horse. And honestly, the second someone presumes to know everything is when things get a little sketchy. But still, as it came close to the time to check that little box on USEF that allows you to declare professional status, or to officially launch my business (in the middle of a pandemic no less), I was struck with the overwhelming feeling that I wasn’t ready.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the thought that maybe if I wait just one more year, I’ll reach the point of “knowing enough” or being “experienced enough” hadn’t crossed my mind on more than one occasion. Which is interesting because I was confident in my knowledge base and my abilities until I started to look around and compare myself to others who had more experience, more results, more years in the industry than I did. The problem with the comparison game, though, is that it takes focus away from what one can control (i.e. yourself and your actions) and opens up the door for self-doubt, among other things. Not to mention, it’s unrealistic. Like I said, no one ever said that being a professional or a business owner means you know everything. It simply means that you ride horses and train horses and riders for a living. You don’t just wake up one day having “arrived” and reached the threshold of knowledge, time, or experience required to allow you to check that box marked “professional”. We’re all on a constant learning journey – it’s an inevitable and unavoidable part of working in this industry.
I’ve been lucky to have a lot of wise people in my corner who have encouraged me along the way. One of the things that I’ve been periodically reminded of is that even those at the top of the sport all started somewhere and gradually built up their skill set and knowledge base. No one is magically born knowing all there is to know about training and managing horses. Sure, certain people are born with a greater natural ability. But even still, skills are honed and refined through years of experience, trial and error, mentorship, and education. And yes, there are some who haven’t put in the time or don’t have the experience. However, most young professionals in my position really do have the knowledge and ability, yet for some reason still find it intimidating to break in to the industry. But, if the next generation of professionals is too afraid to even begin their careers and start their businesses, there won’t be anyone to take over the sport down the road as the older generation begins to step down. Which is an important reminder for someone who is a part of a generation plagued by analysis paralysis – to stop sitting on the sidelines and apologizing for your lack of experience, and get in the game. Even to this day, I have to remind myself to stop apologizing for the fact that I’m a new business owner or that the number of years I’ve worked in this industry is half that of some of those around me. That’s just math. It’s not mathematically possible for me to have worked with horses for forty years when I haven’t even been alive that long. Unless you buy into the whole Interstellar “time is relative and merely a construct” thing which is too far above my head. Hit me up if you care to explain that to me in very small words.
As a trainer and as a business owner, I can promise you three things:
1) I’ve dedicated my life to developing the knowledge base and skill set required to help horses and riders meet their goals. I’ve spent countless hours in the saddle on too many horses to count, and even more hours in and the barn and at the horse show. But…
2) That doesn’t mean I have all the answers. That said…
3) I vow to never stop learning and never stop my own education journey as a horse woman. As I said before, this sport is constantly evolving. The only way to stay relevant is to be perpetual student.
I never want to be the person who is too proud to admit when she needs to phone a friend. Because at the end of the day, the only ones who suffer then are the horses and the clients. I understand why that happens. As professionals, we position ourselves as so-called experts in our field. Therefore, it is intimidating to admit when we might not have the answer for something. It’s scary to think about losing a client to someone who maybe does have an immediate solution for that particular horse or rider. However, I grew up in a house that stressed that business has to be continually earned, and as a business proprietor, you never own the “rights” to your clients just because they’re currently in your barn. One of the ways we continue to earn our clients’ business is by actively seeking out information and resources on their behalf. That’s also one of the ways I can provide value to my clients – I’m able to adapt, find solutions for, and work with each horse and rider as an individual. I also firmly believe that long-term, transparency, openness, and a growth-mindset retains and earns far more clients than offering a quick fix or being a know-it-all. Perhaps that’s idealistic, but I’m sticking with it.
Sooooo yeah. There you have it and here we are. A little insight into the mind of a young professional. I’m sure there are those who haven’t felt this way. But I’m even more sure that I’m not the only one who has. So, my fellow overthinkers, over analyzers, and overachievers: can we all make a pact to stop holding ourselves back by telling ourselves that we aren’t enough? Moving forward I’m vowing to embrace my youth and relative newness in the industry. It means I can offer a fresh perspective, have desire to learn, and that I have many years ahead of me. Anyone with me?
