Being Squeezed Like a Lemon

The comfort zone is comfortable and risk-free. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

In that zone, we can be playing it safe and do the things that we find easy to do. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

And the comfort zone has its place in our training sessions, because - as always - there's a time and place for everything. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

But here's the thing: ‍‍ ‍‍ 

Just outside our comfort zone, that's where the learning takes place. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

In the stretch zone, that's where the magic happens. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

So, for example, when you are able to do the haunches-in on the track, I start to ask you and your horse to do it on the diagonal. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

And that moment might feel scary, and a bit risky, because it's something that is more difficult to do. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

So it takes some courage to step into the unknown, and to do something that you have never done before. ‍‍ ‍‍‍ ‍‍ 

However, when you go out of your comfort zone, and it works, there's nothing more satisfying! ‍‍ ‍‍ 

And when it doesn't work, you just change your approach until it works. ‍‍ ‍‍ So when I teach, I'm not dedicated to your comfort, but I'm dedicated to you shifting boundaries within yourself. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

In Straightness Training, we call this process, that "I squeeze you like a lemon". You can hear about it in our ST song:

Now this process is not about squeezing your horse, but about squeezing you! ‍‍ ‍‍

Because, the things that are mostly holding us back in life, is our limiting beliefs. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

It's the stories we make up why we cannot do or have it. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

So when you're feeling squeezed in one of my lessons - whether it's hand-on or online - remember, I am just commited to you breaking barriers within yourself, to kill some inner Gremlins, to live without limits, because you are way too smart to be the only thing standing in your way! ‍‍ ‍‍ 

When you're being squeezed, I encourage you to explore new concepts, to see opportunities, to do things that you have never done before, and to try things that are a bit more difficult. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

When you're being squeezed, I spur you to think in terms of abundance and to pursue your dreams. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

And a by-product of the squeezing is that your comfort zone grows bigger and bigger! ‍‍ ‍‍ 

Now, of course, you need to act in the face of fear of failure and not to worry about any 'mistakes' that you'll make during your 'trial & errror' phase. ‍‍ ‍‍ 

Instead, worry if I don't squeeze you like a lemon and just give you a 'feel-good' lesson... ‍‍ ‍‍ 

Worry if I only let you 'show off' what you already know... ‍‍ ‍‍ 

Worry about the chances you miss, when I never ask you to leave your small, boring, comfy comfort zone... ‍‍ ‍‍ 

Hmmm... something to think about 🤔 

So if you or your horse are ready to leave the comfort zone, check this out: