1% expectation

The time had arrived! Halter training my two month old foal, Shanti.

With gumboots on, special treats in my pocket, lead rope and baby halter in hand, I entered the stable yard with only one thing running through my head, ‘Expect only one per cent, improvement’.

As I carefully moved through the well thought out process of separating mum and babe, the tension started rising. So, with low, calming, reassuring tones and remaining fully present all my energy was focused on helping Shanti move through this transitional stage.

As she struggled against the pressure of the lead rope around her neck, I watched carefully for her signal – one per cent acceptance – so to immediately release the pressure and praise her for her efforts.

Within ten minutes, with no yelling, hitting, punishment or unnecessary aggravation this beautiful little foal would allow me to walk up to her. As she patiently stood still I placed the halter on and then back off her gorgeous little head.  Within five days using the same methods, and each day expecting one per cent improvement, I can now walk up to her in the yard put on her halter and lead her around.

I come away with a feeling of complete accomplishment.  I am happy, she is happy and we have moved forward in her training.

Why don’t we use this method in our everyday lives?  Expecting only one per cent improvement of anything, from anyone.

Imagine if we only expected one per cent change in effort from our children daily.  Only one per cent change in effort from our partners when they walk through the door at the end of a hard day.  And then come nightfall, to have that warm and fuzzy feeling—that we have all happily moved forward in our lives by one per cent and praising each other as we go.

To be 100% happy with that 1%!

Would it immediately take away the unnecessary, unrealistic stress that we place on our family life to expect 110% from everyone on everything 365 days of the year?