Horses can save you countless hours—and dollars—when it comes to professional (and personal) development. That might sound unusual, but for the business owners who’ve stepped into the arena with us, the results speak louder than any textbook or webinar ever could. Let me take you back to a particularly memorable session in 2009, not long after I began integrating horses into my coaching and therapy practice. My colleague Tim Brock and I were working with Jim, a high-performing, Type A business owner from the West Coast who ran a successful environmental company. Jim came to us looking to improve communication and productivity within his team—something we hear from business leaders often. After some discovery work, we moved into the arena—where the horses do what they do best: reflect the human condition. We had set up a course using simple barn items and other props like barrels, cones, and hula hoops. Jim’s objective was to move three horses, each weighing over 1,000 pounds, through the course—without force, commands, or ropes. Now, here’s the twist. Horses don’t speak English, they don’t follow job descriptions, and they certainly don’t respond to titles or resumes. What they do respond to is energy, intention, and congruence. It didn’t take long before the arena filled with dust—literally. The horses were galloping in circles, and Jim was right behind them, trying to wrangle some sort of order into the chaos. His dominant, get-it-done energy filled the space. I found myself chuckling inwardly as the scene looked more like a NASCAR race than a leadership session. All I could think was, “It’s another left turn!” Tim, the horseman among us, remained calm and observant. Eventually, we called time-out. “What’s happening here, Jim?” we asked. “They won’t do what I want them to!” he replied, pointing toward the horses. And that’s when the real learning began. Jim admitted that he often felt like he was chasing his own employees around at work. Suddenly, the dust, the frustration, the constant movement—it all made sense. He wasn’t leading. He was chasing. Here’s where it gets even more powerful: About 95% of communication is non-verbal, and in that arena, Jim had the rare opportunity to see how his non-verbal communication—his energy, posture, facial expressions, even his unspoken thoughts—was impacting his “team” through the immediate feedback the horses gave him. You see, horses are biologically wired to connect with our internal environment. Research shows that when we get close to them, they can sync with our heart rate and read our emotional state like we’d read a book. Horses are constantly scanning for congruence: Is what you're projecting on the outside a match for what's going on inside? They don't lie. They don't judge. But they do respond. Their responses are always non-verbal—maybe it's a flick of an ear, a walk-away, a refusal to engage, or, in Jim’s case, running in circles. As trained facilitators, my team and I help decode this feedback so humans can connect the dots between their leadership style and how it's landing with others. To his credit, Jim took a break, got a drink of water, and came back to the horses with a different presence. He softened, focused, and adjusted his energy. What happened next was remarkable: the horses began to engage, follow, and respond to him—not out of fear or force, but from clarity and connection. After the session, Jim shared something we’ve heard many times since: “I learned more today about communication than I ever did in a classroom.” Why? Because experiential learning sticks. When you can practice a strategy and receive instant, honest, four-dimensional feedback, you shortcut months—sometimes years—of guessing, coaching, and trial and error. If you’re facing bottlenecks in your business—whether it’s communication breakdowns, disengaged teams, or productivity issues—what if the solution isn’t another meeting or webinar? What if the real insight is waiting in the arena? We offer complimentary consultations to explore whether equine-assisted learning might be the missing piece in your leadership development journey. No pressure—just a conversation. And maybe, just maybe, a few horses. Ready to stop chasing and start leading? Let’s explore if the herd has the feedback you need.

If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve been taught that success comes from hustle, sacrifice, and saying “yes” to opportunities that come along. Sound familiar? Here’s the problem: more effort doesn’t always lead to more results—especially when your time, energy, and focus are stretched across too many things. The real key to sustainable success? Strong boundaries. Boundaries: The Secret Ingredient to Working Smarter (Not Just Harder) Boundaries aren’t about building walls or shutting people out. They’re about getting clear—on your priorities, your energy, your time, and your values. When you’re clear on what matters most, you stop wasting time on distractions, burnout routines, and reactive decision-making. You start moving with intention. And that’s when results get easier, faster, and more aligned with the business—and life—you actually want. You are clear on what to focus on and quickly say, "no" to. Here’s how strong boundaries give you the edge: 1. You Protect Your Most Valuable Asset: Your Energy You only have so much energy in a day. Without boundaries, you give it away in small, draining ways—answering emails at midnight, saying yes to clients who aren't a fit, or overloading your schedule until you’re running on fumes. With boundaries, you preserve energy for what matters most—your highest-impact work, your most aligned clients, your big-picture strategy. 2. You Make Better, Faster Decisions Strong boundaries eliminate decision fatigue. You don’t waste energy wondering, “Should I take this on?” or “How do I say no?” You already know what’s a yes—and what’s not. That clarity sharpens your focus and accelerates your momentum. 3. You Attract the Right Clients and Opportunities When your boundaries are strong, you stop people-pleasing and start positioning yourself as a confident leader. That shift is magnetic. You attract clients who respect your time, trust your process, and are ready to invest—not just financially, but emotionally and energetically. 4. You Reclaim Time Without Sacrificing Results Boundaries help you structure your time intentionally. You stop filling every gap with busywork, and start designing your week around what really drives results—strategic action, revenue-generating tasks, recovery, and even (gasp!) free time. Yes, you can rest and still run a successful business. Ready to Build Boundaries That Work as Hard as You Do? If you're tired of feeling overextended and want to start working with more ease, clarity, and confidence, I’ve created something just for you: 👉 Boundaries for Success: Protect Your Time, Energy & Wellbeing This class is designed for business owners who are ready to: ✔ Reclaim their time and mental bandwidth ✔ Set boundaries that actually stick ✔ Avoid burnout while still reaching big goals ✔ Create more freedom and better results—with less stress Inside the class, you’ll explore twelve key areas where boundaries matter most in life and business. You’ll walk away with a clearer picture of where your boundaries are at risk and how to strengthen them without guilt or fear. Because you didn’t build your business to feel exhausted. You built it for freedom, impact, and fulfillment. Let’s make sure your boundaries support that. 👉 Join Boundaries for Success now Boundaries Don’t Hold You Back. They Move You Forward. The most successful business owners aren’t the ones doing everything. They’re the ones doing the right things—and protecting the space they need to do them well. When your boundaries are strong, your results don’t just improve—they come with less stress, more ease, and far more joy. You in?

Burnout is real, and it’s costing businesses millions. A recent article from Fast Company highlights research showing that burnout-related costs can reach an astonishing $5 million per year for companies, with the financial burden ranging between $4,000 and $21,000 per employee. That’s a staggering price to pay for ignoring one fundamental truth: more isn’t always better. In both life and business, pushing yourself—or your employees—beyond reasonable limits doesn’t lead to higher productivity; it leads to exhaustion, disengagement, and ultimately, collapse. Imagine a horse carrying too much weight. At first, the horse may struggle forward, but eventually, buckles under the load. People are no different. Without clear boundaries, you risk not only your own well-being but also the effectiveness and longevity of our work, not to mention the relationships that are important to you. Burnout Hits Business Owners Too While much of the conversation around burnout focuses on employees, business owners and entrepreneurs are equally—if not more—vulnerable. Running a business means wearing multiple hats, often working long hours, and feeling a constant pressure to succeed. The weight of decision-making, financial uncertainty, and the need to "always be on" can quickly lead to mental and physical exhaustion. Business owner burnout manifests in ways similar to employee burnout, including chronic fatigue, decision fatigue, loss of passion for the business, and even a decline in creativity and problem-solving ability. Without clear boundaries, entrepreneurs risk becoming trapped in a cycle of overwork that not only affects health but also threatens the long-term sustainability of the business. The irony? Many business owners start their ventures seeking freedom—only to find themselves working more than ever before, often with fewer safeguards in place to prevent burnout. Why Boundaries Matter Boundaries are the invisible yet essential limits that protect our energy, time, and mental health. They define what we are willing to take on, how we engage with others, and how we maintain balance between work and personal life. When boundaries are weak or ignored, stress builds, productivity declines, and relationships—both professional and personal—suffer. The Fast Company article emphasizes that burnout isn’t just about overwork; it’s about a lack of autonomy, unclear expectations, and emotional exhaustion. Employees who feel overwhelmed, unsupported, or unable to disconnect from work are at the highest risk. The same applies to business owners who don't set clear limits for themselves. Organizations and entrepreneurs who prioritize boundaries and well-being see higher engagement, stronger retention, and better overall performance. Recognizing the Warning Signs of Burnout Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It builds gradually, showing up in subtle but critical ways: Chronic exhaustion – Feeling drained, even after a full night’s rest. Decreased motivation – A loss of enthusiasm for work or once-enjoyable tasks. Irritability and cynicism – Increased frustration, negativity, or detachment. Declining performance – Struggling to focus, complete tasks, or make decisions. Physical symptoms – Headaches, muscle tension, and a weakened immune system. Ignoring these signs can lead to more serious health consequences, from anxiety and depression to long-term physical ailments. For business owners, burnout can also result in poor leadership decisions, strained client relationships, and, in the worst cases, the failure of the business itself. How to Set Stronger Boundaries and Prevent Burnout Whether you’re a leader, an entrepreneur, or an employee, setting and respecting boundaries is essential for long-term success. Here’s how to start: Define Your Limits – Identify what drains your energy and where you need more structure. This includes workload, availability, and emotional capacity. Communicate Clearly – Express your boundaries with confidence. Whether it’s limiting after-hours emails or setting realistic project timelines, clarity is key. Schedule Recovery Time – Just as an athlete needs rest between training sessions, you need time to recharge. Prioritize breaks, personal time, and non-work activities. Learn to Say No – Overcommitment is a fast track to burnout. Practice saying no to tasks that don’t align with your priorities or stretch you too thin. Delegate and Outsource – Business owners often try to do it all. Letting go of certain tasks—whether through hiring, automation, or delegation—can free up mental space and prevent burnout. Support a Culture of Boundaries – If you’re a leader, model healthy boundary-setting in your workplace. Encourage employees to disconnect, set clear expectations, and respect personal time. Boundaries Are an Investment, Not a Luxury Setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s smart. It protects your well-being, strengthens relationships, and enhances performance. For businesses, fostering a boundary-conscious culture isn’t just about reducing burnout costs; it’s about creating an environment where people can thrive. For business owners, boundaries are the key to sustaining passion and energy over the long haul, rather than burning out before reaching their goals. So before you pile more onto your load—or someone else’s—ask yourself: is this sustainable? Or are you at risk of buckling under the weight? Prioritizing boundaries today is the key to long-term success tomorrow. If you're ready to shore up your own boundaries, check out this upcoming class Boundaries For Success: Protect Your Time, Energy, and Wellbeing. OR Take it a step farther into building a culture of boundaries and strategies to increase profitability and productivity with Leadership In Motion with Missouri State University.