How do you get expert advice from fellow horse business professionals?

Ask. That's all there is to it. Most successful people in the horse business would welcome your questions anytime. One of the reasons they are successful is the fact that they understand how important relationships are in the horse business. Remember, though that there are jerks in the equine industry as there are in any industry. If you get blown off, don't take it personally.

We recommend going one step further than asking - Take the road trip.

Before you head out, you should complete the Definite Major Purpose for your Horse Business Series and read through the How-To on Developing Strategies in the Horse Business. If nothing else, this will be a great way for you to really get to know your horse business and share what you are doing with a fellow horse business professional. So go on and get out there.

Here's why you need to go:

• You Need a Day Off
• It Will Be Fun
• Develop the Champion's Mindset
• Important to Learn From Others' Mistakes
• More Important to Learn From Their Successes

You Need A Day Off... Plus, It'll Be Fun
The work load that comes from owning, or operating, a horse business is brutal. Weekends mean absolutely nothing. In fact, weekends are usually more busy than the week days. And holidays, forget it. Horses still have to eat. The responsibilities never go away, but you already know this.

So, take a day off. You deserve it. And if you can't stand the thought of not working on your horse business, find peace in the fact that this trip will probably benefit your business more than anything else you could possibly have done on those days you were gone.

Besides, it will be fun.

Chance to Develop the Champion's Mindset
First of all, what is the Champion's Mindset?

In a nutshell, it's humility. But, it's also confidence.

How do these two personality characteristics co-exist?

Both confidence and humility can be difficult characteristics to develop. Many horse business professionals view confidence as arrogance and humility as weakness. The key is to know when to draw on your confidence and when to draw on your humility.

If you are a trainer, you have to believe that there is no one better than you when you enter the show pen – Confidence. However, when you are not in the show pen, you have to believe that you can learn something from anybody - Humility.

This example holds true across all niches that exist within the horse industry. Your professional environment requires you to believe you are the best. When you are in social situations or within someone else's professional environment, it is imperative that you draw upon your humility.

Champions are passionate about what they do. That is where their confidence comes from. Their devotion to their particular corner of the horse business demands sacrifice. Training and education required to be successful as a horse business professional takes time. Devotion demands sacrifice. Training and education demands time. That Sacrifice and time results in preparation. Preparation for almost anything.

And that.... results in confidence.

Humility, on the other hand is a character trait that you have to decide to embrace. Or, go through some horrible life situations, but no one is going to plan on that. The point is, the more a true Champion knows, the more they realize they need to learn. They have a humble nature. Who knows whether it's natural or something they work to achieve. The only thing that matters is that humility exists in the best horse business professionals.

Why does this confidence and humility stuff even matter?

People tend to like people who are like them. No one wants to help a know-it-all, and people who have worked as hard as you have to work to get to the top of any niche in the horse business are not going to help you if you don't have a burning passion for what you are already working hard to achieve.

Focus on your Definite Major Purpose for your Horse Business and take action on the strategy you developed for your horse business

“I thought I was supposed to take the day off,” you say.

You are... when the time is right.

Focusing on your Definite Major Purpose for your Horse Business and taking action on the strategy you developed for your horse business will accomplish two very important things:

• Improve your horse business enough to actually benefit from the knowledge of a Horse Business Super Star

• Locate you in the same places as your Horse Business Super Star where you can make an introduction

If you were just introduced to a basketball and have never even seen a hoop, you have no business asking Micheal Jordan for basketball tips. It will waste his time and yours. Your business may be that far behind the equine professional you want to visit.

That brings us to being in the same places as your Horse Business Super Star. They are there for a reason. You should be, too. Even if you weren't trying to get acquainted with a particular horse professional, emulating their professional activities will help you accomplish your strategy for your horse business.

However, you are going to introduce yourself. You have nothing to prove, so relax. Just ask them how their trip was, how their show is going, learn about a horse they have, etc. They'll be interested in your activities as well so be ready to share the Definite Major Purpose for your horse business. Don't lay a pitch on them, they don't want to hear it. Just be specific when telling them what you do. Who knows, an invitation to their place may result in this very first meeting, but don't push it. You just want to make an introduction. Now, they have met you and they know you are working to make it in the horse business.

That process will prepare you for success. While you are taking action to improve your horse business, you should start to get someone in mind who you wish to Your preparation will lead you to confidence. Now, you're ready to find a horse business mentor.

Important to Learn From Others' Mistakes

Your horse business has purpose, a great strategy and your confidence is running high. Your Horse Business Super Star has witnessed your work on your business. It's time to shatter that confidence.

What!?!?

Well, keep the confidence, but bring in the humility because it's time to take your much needed day off. The first step to getting good advice from someone is knowing that you're in need of some good advice. That's where the humility comes in. Almost any prolific horse business person will be more than happy to help out someone they know is working hard on and is passionate about their horse business.

Relax and let that passion through when you ask your Horse Business Super Star if you could come by and visit some time. Schedule a time. Be honest about your intentions and flexible with your time. Most professionals are extremely busy. If you drop by, you will benefit ZERO. They won't have time for you. Stop them at the next event, conference, show, rodeo, etc. or just give them a call. But, schedule an appointment. They will be glad to hear that you admire their success and that you want to make your business more successful.

Well, you're headed to your destination, now what?

Make a list of things you'd like to be sure and remember to ask. When you are leaving just glance over it to make sure you covered everything. Don't check it all the time. This is not an interview. This is a social call. Build the relationship.

Here are a couple to get you started:

• What have you learned the hard way?
• What would you not do again?
• Most recent mistake you've made?
• When they were at your level, what would they have done differently?

More Important to Learn From Their Successes
“What did you do wrong?” questions are good questions, but they should not be the focus of your visit. Being consistently positive is a very common characteristic among the greats. Capitalize on that and try to emulate that. Here are a couple of quick start questions to ask that will help you start wrapping your brain around the difference between the good horse businesses and the Great horse businesses:

• How do you handle a client that had a bad experience with a horse?
• What would you consider to be your specialty?
• How do you use technology?
• How do you promote or advertise?

Conclusion
The questions listed above are starting points and could apply to almost any niche within the horse industry. Your niche will undoubtedly have more specific questions you could ask. Use these general questions to get things started. Pull from the information your Horse Business Super Star provides in order to drill down into more specific territory. You want to get more specific regarding your niche and even more specific regarding your particular horse business.

Remember to always be honest with your intentions, flexible with your time, gracious for their time, interested in their advice and generous with anything you can provide in return. The day you can provide your horse business super star with value in return is the day your horse business starts to get put on the map.

Congratulations! You have started a very valuable relationship.