Last weekend I re-learned a pivotal leadership and life lesson… ALWAYS keep your gaze on the horizon.
Recently, I’ve felt an urge to reacquaint myself with horses. As a child, at a poorly managed dude ranch, one horse bucked me off, another tried to roll (with me on his back!), and the kicker? One bit me in the nose so badly they nearly air lifted me out. I have since learned that horses cannot see you when you stand directly in front, and so the nip was out of poor sight and lack of awareness… A fact that would have been nice 25 years ago.
That said, I know how intelligent and loving these animals can be, let alone how much they can teach us, if we are willing to learn. So, this weekend, I began my journey at Routt County Horse Rescue ready to reacquaint myself with these gentle giants.
After diving into the basics of how to brush, how to saddle, walk and ultimately ride a horse, Skywalker (aptly named) reminded me of a pivotal life and leadership lesson: when you focus a mere two feet in front, that’s as far as you will go.
Let me clarify.
I was instructed to guide him in circles around posts in a pen. Sitting atop, my directives were clear: first on on how to hold and steer the reins, and second, most importantly: always set your sights on the horizon ahead, never look down, or at the posts; if you look at the posts, the horse will walk directly TO the post, and not around.
Multiple times, Skywalker and I walked directly into the posts.
It was shocking to observe that no matter how far I steered him away to the post, how in tune he remained with something so little as my gaze, especially as I was seated on top of him.
It’s easy to look at the shortest and closest destination, and overlook – or forget, the bigger picture. We can get mired in the details or wrapped up in a moment, and lose sight of the end goal.
How many times have you gotten wrapped up in a particular circumstance, argument or even person, and forgotten the bigger picture?
In business, we can get so hyper focused on a particular deal or event that if it does not unfold as we hope, it can destroy morale and shake us off our path.
Recently, one client wound himself so tightly around a single “huge deal” that when it didn’t come to fruition he arrived to our call understandably, enormously defeated, and even questioned his company’s potential. After stepping back and fully assessing both the deal and his company’s mission, he realized this opportunity was one amongst thousands and another, more aligned opportunity was likely a better use of his time and energy.
Within weeks he identified 5 new deals and landed the dream contract for his company and team.
It’s easy to get caught up on the post. Metaphorically, that post can feel like it is THE thing we can control or manage, but by hyper-focusing on one element, we limit our reach. When we look up towards the horizon, we rebound quicker and begin to recognize that the opportunities and potential are often boundless.
What's your current post and what’s the horizon?