Comments on: Valuable coaching advice straight from the horse’s mouth (and nose)

By: Child Whisperer « The Music Within Us Blog

Child Whisperer « The Music Within Us Blog — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:40:16 +0000

[...] I have to share this incredibly insightful post from Pam Slim, entitled “Valuable Coaching Advice Straight From The Horse’s Mouth (And [...]

By: LeaderCast

LeaderCast — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:09:16 +0000

Thanks for the tips Pamela! I really enjoyed reading this article
.-= LeaderCast´s last blog ..5 Steps to Follow to Make Great Decisions =-.

By: Vic

Vic — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:23:21 +0000

That was a nice story with real lessons in life and business. I must agree with the awareness that you have mentioned. As for me, knowing is the start of loving. Awareness and getting to understand what you have been aware of can be beneficial for the person / animal in a relationship.
Thanks for sharing your story.

By: Roundup and Link Love: Shark Week 2009 Edition | The Wisdom Journal

Roundup and Link Love: Shark Week 2009 Edition | The Wisdom Journal — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:45:07 +0000

[...] at Escape From Cubicle Nation, Pamela writes about a horse riding lesson that taught her some valuable LIFE lessons. My favorite: awareness is the first step in making a [...]

By: Jeanne B.

Jeanne B. — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:57:33 +0000

Wow. As a student of Parelli Natural Horsemanship (which is “self-mastery disguised as horsemanship”) and of the LOA, this post blew me away. The horse is definitely our mirror. While reading of your experience, I thought back to yesterday’s training session with the horses at my barn, as well as my general interaction with horses.

What are they trying to tell me about myself? Such as, the “tasks” I put off because I’d rather play with the fun tasks than the (tedious) foundation tasks. Or finding out that an effective Phase Four does NOT always mean be FIRMER—that with some horses, quiet subtlety speaks louder than drama and high energy. That when I feel threatened, my modus operandi is to go into avoidance of the situation (see “foundation tasks” above) or to get firmer due to fear (trying to intimidate the opposition rather than understand or see it from their POV).

Like you, I have boundary issues. It’s hard to say No or to say “Well, my opinion is different” without feeling fear. Fear of rejection offset by the fear of being dominated if I’m NOT firm enough.

This was an incredible post. Thank you for shedding light.
.-= Jeanne B.´s last blog .. =-.

By: Doron

Doron — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:43:32 +0000

I’ve used this technique when dealing with social situations that were once awkward. For example, if I’m in a crowded room where I don’t know anybody, I like to take a moment to breathe in the feeling of just standing in this place not knowing anyone, and then imagining that I’m in my own living room on the sofa watching television. In other words, I like to first get comfortable with my false sense of alone-ness, and from there I can move into the feeling of being in the most comfortable and relaxed place I can think of.

Great post Pam, thanks for sharing these awesome insights!

By: Pat McAnally

Pat McAnally — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:12:23 +0000

What a timely post for me – I have been wrestling with the boundaries of how far to let work intrude and overlap with what I want/need to do for me and mine for a couple of weeks. By introducing the horse/space example, you opened up another way of looking at it. We have a 3 year old German Shepherd who comes from a high drive working line and it tooks me awhile to physically create respect for boundaries with her using presence. But– I had not made the connection with the rest of my life. If I know what boundary energy feels like working with my dog — I can recreate that success in other areas. Good one!

By: Jim Taggart

Jim Taggart — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:48:49 +0000

Ah, if I could only go back in time – 30 years when I first became a dad and get it right. Now with four ‘kids’ in their twenties I can only play the role of armchair expert with two granddaughters.

It’s very interesting about animals and the parallels in dealing with them when they’re young and little children. Our 90 pound, three old American Yellow Lab taxed our patience repeatedly as he went through puppy and adolescent stages: challenging us, teasing us, loving us, and defying us. Sometimes we didn’t know if we were raising a fifth kid. And like our former teenagers, he’s acquiring his own personality.

Thanks for a very insightful piece, Pamela.
.-= Jim Taggart´s last blog ..Mr. Clinton Goes to Pyongyang…Kim Jong-Il Keeps His Toys =-.

By: Melissa Wells

Melissa Wells — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:44:59 +0000

Powerful example to use with my clients. Boundary issues abound – especially now when layoffs leave the survivors overwhelmed and confronted by bosses wielding broad-swords to slash through boundaries. Thanks Pam!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:25:09 +0000

Amen Sista! I’m saying that a lot lately. Love the post and the horse-in-your-space picture. I am so ready to do Koelle’s workshop! It’s amazing how difficult it can be to stay with that feeling we don’t want to feel. But it does get easier with practice. And for me, it’s about leaving behind the old me, which at times feels scary. But I do enjoy the new me…
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Break On Through to the Other Side =-.