Getting Through Tough Times in Your Riding…

Deciding to work towards something specific in your riding is a good thing. And, usually, you will feel positive about that decision, and all the work involved to get there, initially. Until you realize you must ‘do’ the work – and the novelty starts to wear off a little!

Riding, just like most things, will involve effort. Especially when you are working to improve or reach a specific goal or outcome. And that ‘effort’ can often result in you quitting! 

It’s normal to experience all of the excitement at the beginning of something. A new hobby, project, or goal.  And it’s also ‘normal’ to notice that as you get further down the road, it can feel hard.  This is to be expected and even planned for with your goals.

What’s less ‘normal’ is to find the stamina to push on through that resistance you feel and cross the finish line. To see the goal or project to completion. That takes perseverance! 

Creating Perseverance in Your Riding

I think that being honest from the start with yourself is important. And part of that honesty will be to realize in advance that things will probably get a little harder before they get easier. Hard things at the beginning are usually overcome pretty easily. There is this optimistic momentum on your side that helps you overcome whatever obstacles are in your way.

However, in the middle of the journey, when you’re feeling tired even a little bored from the monotony of doing the thing day in and day out, you need to build perseverance. 

You can do this by honouring commitments to yourself. If you tell yourself you’re going to do it, honour that. Do what you say you’re going to do.  Each time you do this for yourself, you strengthen your discipline muscle. And this builds trust in yourself and your word. It sounds strange, but the more you can trust yourself, the better the chances you have of doing the thing you said you would do.

When Enthusiasm Wanes…