EP137: Horses & Motivation

Last week I read a great story from an author who visited a world class equestrian training facility.

As he went to view a training session of these beautiful thoroughbreds, he thought he was going to see examples of intense training and discipline. Instead, what he saw, was what looked like play. When he asked the world class trainer about this, the response he got was, "A horse that loves to run will beat a horse that's compelled, every day of the week".

This identifies the power and value of intrinsic motivation. The horse doesn't run hard becase his trainer is going to give him a treat or because he is scared. The horse CHOOSES to run hard because he WANTS to, not because he has to.

This is a great lesson for all of us who coach or parent. Create the environment where the child wants to do the right thing, not because of some external factor, but because they want to.