Two of my life mottoes are “Life, be in it” and “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. In other words, “Have a go”.
Nothing typifies this attitude better than an agricultural and horticultural show like the Royal Adelaide Show (I was photographing there the other day).
People can go there to enjoy the entertainment, to find out about various products and to savour those special show delicacies like fairy floss, toffee apples and hot cinnamon donuts. However, one important aspect of the show is competing, whether it’s in cooking, crafts, wood cutting, showing livestock or show jumping.
It’s a time to “show off” what you can do and how well you can do it. You may also be able to win a prize or be the champion on the day.
For some people it takes great courage to show the rest of the world what they (or their animals) can do. They know that they can’t all be winners but at least they’re “having a go”. I have my own take on winners and champions. A champion doesn’t always have to win to be a champion but a winner isn’t necessarily a champion because of winning. It has a lot to do with the right attitude.
It takes a lot of effort, commitment and attention to detail to win a prize at the show, particularly when it comes to livestock. As I was wandering around the cattle and sheep pavilions and the horse stables, there was a hive of activity as people were preparing themselves and their stock for judging.
Even though I lived in the country for twenty years, I didn’t realise what went into agricultural show preparations.
In the paddock, stock can be covered in dirt, manure and feed. However, when it comes to show judging, the animals have to be perfectly groomed.
Roaming around the horse stables and exercise area was a real eye opener for me.
There were horses being put through their paces in the exercise yard.
Another area was set aside for horses to be washed down.
In the stables, some horses were keeping warm with their own tailor-made blankets. Others were given the ultimate beauty treatments of having their mane plaited by their riders or having their whiskers shaven.
Even in the cattle pavilions, livestock was washed clean, dried with blow driers, powdered and shaved. Some cattle were given the whole body shave including the tail and others were left with a fashionable Mohawk along the backbone.
The end result was everybody looking their best to do their best (animals included).
One other thing that was very noticeable was the number of competitors who were smiling (not just at the camera). Competing (or participating) is also about enjoying what you do and living life to the full whether you win a prize or not. Be a participator in life, not just a spectator.
So, my next tip for how to pilot your life (personal or business) is:
Have a go.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Two of my presentation topics are:
Determination/Persistence/Perseverance
Personal development
You can read more in my blog http://franwest2.blogspot.com. There are plenty of stories, photos and videos. Products can be ordered from this website as well.
While you’re waiting for the next newsletter, “Plane Reflections: about life and a flight around Australia’s coast” is available in book and CD format for $20.00 plus postage and packaging.
“Australia’s Coast from the Air” DVD, with over 260 photos and soundtrack, is available in PAL and NTSC for only $25.00 plus postage and packaging.
To preview the DVD visit www.youtube.com/ozdragon52.
Bye for now,
Fran West
Australia’s Life Pilot
Speaker, Author, Adventurer
For the full illustrated and unabridged version of the Pilot your life newsletter (emailed monthly) contact Fran through the website links.
Tags: achievement, Adelaide, attitude, determination, following dreams, goals, horses, participator, success
