By the end of the first week in January, many people have already abandoned their new year’s goals.  Others are perplexed — “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:17)

There is much confusing and even false information in the farrier industry.  It’s up to each horse professional to seek true principles.  No one solution fits every horse — horses are individuals and must be treated as such.

Get yourself a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes!  Everyone has an individual choice in matters that affect life, family and career.  Choose those that work for you.

Tip #1 — Be clear, concise and focused on your tasks and objectives — and have clear goals for each day, week, month & year. Winter is an excellent time to study, prepare and improve your farrier skills.  Use the sequential learning matrix found in The Principles of Horseshoeing (P3) to help you understand where you are and plan how to reach your next higher skill level.

Tip #2 — Look for the right opportunities. If your skills are lacking, great opportunities will slip through your fingers and you’ll wonder why you are struggling to make ends meet.  How much of your eight, ten or twelve hour day is spent productively?  The goal isn’t to just be busy.  It’s to be doing something productive.  Something that adds value, lowers cost, increases productivity, gives you a competitive edge.  Leverage your time and you become a superstar.  Waste it and you’re an also ran.

Tip #3 — Drill … drill … drill … on the basics. John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, said, “Perfect practice makes perfect.”  If you want to grow your business and make more money, you have to work at it.  The time to invest in your career is now.  You need competency and passion, as well as a responsive clientele to succeed.  Increase your knowledge and make valuable contacts — network with the right people.  Get the best coach to teach you and embrace the counsel you receive — it’s a worthwhile investment.

Tip #4 — Control the “little voice” in your head. Negative thinking wastes positive energy.  Many people you  meet have more negative automatic responses than positive ones.  There is enough legitimate stress to contend with — disable it within yourself and help others under your sphere of influence to do so.  You may be surprised how this will impact your business.

Tip #5 — Cultivate the will to win! One of the main purposes of publishing our book, Six-Figure Shoeing, was to help farriers at all skill levels succeed.  Believe in your ability to grasp essential principles and behave as though you’re already a “six-figure” shoer!  Raise your standard!  Increase your desire to learn and review correct principles.  It’s rewarding to hear our students say, “I just love this stuff!”

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Finish each day and be done with it.  You have done what you could.  Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in.  Forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day.”

Begin each day with purpose!  Have a goal and pursue your dream(s) with passion!