Letting Go of the Outcome Part 2

Last week I discussed the value of letting go of the outcome as we move toward our goals.

After that podcast last week, I got a question from Sue. “About the outcome, if you let it go, how do you negotiate challenges so that eventually you head to the outcome without getting bogged down or reactively detoured?”

I want to follow up and talk more about letting go of the outcome because it’s important.

. .

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT:

Hey, it’s Barb.

Last week I discussed the value of letting go of the outcome as we move toward our goals.

After that podcast last week, I got a question from Sue. “About the outcome, if you let it go, how do you negotiate challenges so that eventually you head to the outcome without getting bogged down or reactively detoured?”

I want to follow up and talk more about letting go of the outcome because it’s important.

Understanding how it works in harmony with setting goals and overcoming challenges can get confusing.

Here’s what I mean.

When we set a goal and want to achieve something measurable, like a year-end top five placing, or we want to go to at least two clinics as examples. Those kinds of things are measurable. Either we get to the clinics, or we don’t – or – we make it to the top five, or we don’t.

Once you set a goal that excites you (and it’s your goal and not somebody else’s;), that objective keeps you motivated. It causes you to work a little harder or put in more dedication than you might if you didn’t have the goal.

That’s one of the beautiful things about a goal. It keeps the fire of high motivation burning inside, especially when things are difficult because you want it so much. Motivation is their number one function.

But to achieve the main goal, we need to focus on the process- executing the small steps along the way well – those things we control.

If we fixate on the outcome, it distracts us and can cause us to fear that we won’t make it.

Fear can shut us down in all kinds of ways. We get nervous; we don’t think as well; our body gets tight. We don’t move forward. We might or might not go somewhere because we need more time to prepare.

So to reach for our dreams, we set goals that matter, focus on the process, and see what happens for the outcome.

And when we do that, we keep getting better, we keep improving, and we keep growing. And sometimes, we reach our goal, and sometimes we don’t. But we can be proud of ourselves when we’ve done everything we can that’s under our control.

I hope that helps and adds more understanding to the value of letting go of the outcome.

And when things fall apart, focus on what you love, why you do what you do, believe in yourself, and keep focusing on the process.

Thank you. That’s what I have for you. Leave a comment for me. Bye-bye.

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Comments

9 Comments on Letting Go of the Outcome Part 2

  1. LindaB on Sun, 6th Aug 2023 1:53 pm

    2. Well said. Control what is within your control, hold on to the dream and focus on the process required to pursue the dream. ☺️

  2. LindaB on Sun, 6th Aug 2023 2:00 pm

    3. Still, in the moments of adversity, it’s hard.

  3. Sandy Crow on Sun, 6th Aug 2023 2:29 pm

    4. I have been recovering from health issues for last 3 years. I have always set goals for myself and my horses.and reached most of them. It’s been a struggle to even make sense of where to start with my 3 horses again.
    Reading your ,Letting Go , reminded me to pick a goal , no matter how small and let go of the outcome so I will not feel so out of sync with my body, horses and friends.
    Thank you.

  4. Linda Vandenbosch on Sun, 6th Aug 2023 3:09 pm

    5. I agree and using your wise words have had success! However it’s disheartening and confusing when your horse who’s had the miles of love patience exposure wins n losses care diet etc after 10 yrs is still unpredictable. So in accepting that this is a bit of her character when do you tythen let go.. and maybe find another that has that bit more heart and willingness? We have come a long way my mare and I, but lately I’ve been thinking maybe I’ll never get that complete trust.. and must accept that. I kind of have but to go to a comp is expensive and when I know she has the ability knowledge and belief in her and she is doing it all so well, but can react negatively at any time , it may also be time to accept that too. I don’t demand a win , just to do the best I know we can do, taking into account outside influences and opinions are definetly out of my control.

  5. Camille Abbott on Sun, 6th Aug 2023 5:17 pm

    6. I love this part of letting go. So true and so hard all at the same time. I feel like I might have gotten over this hurdle and am more relaxed about my pace and more focused on being the best I can be. I figure the buckles and trinkets will fall in line.

  6. Carol MacGregor on Sun, 6th Aug 2023 5:40 pm

    7. Hi Barb, Thank you for the good explanation of how you can let go of the outcome but still keep working towards your goals. Such a “healthy” perspective.My nice 19 year old Paint gelding, cow horse bred, has pretty severe lamanitis that I”m dealing with, which is no fun for either of us–especially him since he is quite uncomfortable because of his foot pain. I will just keep taking good care of him and “know” that that process will get him well. 🙂

  7. Claire Harris on Sun, 6th Aug 2023 8:16 pm

    8. Thank you for your beautiful insight on what we can and cannot control. Very helpful pattern in and out of the arena.

  8. Kerry O'Brien on Mon, 7th Aug 2023 6:54 am

    9. I love process. In three weeks however I’m competing in the Meeker Mustang Makeover. I picked a difficult horse, so we’re behind. I could have pushed him harder. But I did what I thought was best for the horse. Now I have a super feely horse that trusts me deeply. We won’t win, but now my challenge is making sure whoever wins him at auction knows he’s a horse that needs to trust, needs a real partner and has infinite try for his person. So the goal has actually changed to one I have even less control over. I’m putting it out there. He’s gonna be a really hard one to let go of. Thanks for this subject.

  9. Candis Molde on Tue, 8th Aug 2023 2:32 pm

    10. This was really good !! It cleared some things
    that sounded abit like me . Thanks for doing this , I will be thinking that way from now on .
    Bless you !!!

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