This week I put together a weight bench and as I sat there working through the directions (yes, I’m one of those people), I was overcome by the similarities between putting together furniture and training horses or teaching people.
I have always enjoyed putting together furniture; maybe the same characteristics are why I like to teach. I know that sounds silly, but my parents divorced when I was 8 and their meeting place for drop offs was an Ikea store. In the years until my dad remarried (my step-mom has exquisite taste in furniture) we picked up and put together a lot of Ikea furniture. These days I dive into it with fond memories and the excitement of being able to build something piece-by-piece like that.
Both putting together furniture and working with others (horse or human) requires us to be present, focused, patient, and kinesthetic (hands-on).
Some come with good instructions (or expressive ears and solid communication). Others require more reading between the lines.
Some come with all the tools you need, others require us to reach into your own mental or physical toolbox to fill in the gaps.
Like furniture, it’s important we build up our students and horses piece by piece, not moving to the next step until the current one is solid.
Sometimes we need take a step back in training and teaching to move forward, much like when building we tighten things up too much and have to loosen them to ensure everything fits first.
So, how about you? Do you enjoy putting together furniture, too? Something else? What other outlets help us build these important skills we use every day as pros.
Oh, and in case you were wondering why a weight bench … Last year we started putting together an at home gym. I’ve also put together an elliptical machine (terrible directions) and a rower (piece of cake). As I approach 40, I’m finding the strength and stamina I could naturally rely on isn’t coming quite as easily. Riding and farm chores alone aren’t keeping me fit. It’s only fair, to me and my horses, that I do my best to carry my end of our partnership and build up my strength and stamina to get out of their way. An at home gym it is!
Hugs and Happy Riding!
Kristin
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