Dealing with feedback
During your apprenticeship, you will most likely make mistakes; this is part of the learning process.
All apprentices should aspire to take all feedback positively. This can be tough if you have tried your hardest yet have not reached the requested standards.
Take some time to reflect on the situation, listen to what you have been told, and give yourself space to think.
Explore what you did and how you could have done things differently next time to improve the outcome. If you need clarification on anything that has happened, ask for it, then discuss it further with your employer or coach to ensure you have understood the issue and what is needed to rectify it.
Try to use every piece of feedback as learning, and be proud of your ongoing progress in learning development. Try not to take things to heart, and learn from your mistakes; we all make them.
When everything seems too much, our coaches recommend taking a deep breath, keeping calm, and, if upset, asking for help.
Having decided to work with horses, you also know that they will listen and comfort you, so don’t be afraid to go and spend quiet time with them.
Coach Chloe’s top tip for receiving feedback
Don’t be lazy. Always try, and if you get something wrong, ask the employer or senior yard person to show you how they would like you to do it.
This mini-guide has benefited from contributions from Coaches Alice and Chloe, who are proud members of the Sheldrake Training Team.
Their bios can be found here.