Monday, January 21, 2008
Breakthrough
Have you ever been lost? I mean really lost. Have you ever driven around with instructions that didn't make sense, where the street signs were missing or meaningless, when it was hard to see, and when you had absolutely no idea when you might find your way again?
And do you remember turning a corner to find something familiar. You saw something that said you were no longer lost. You had found your way after all. What a feeling that is. Relief and rejoicing. And suddenly, all of the distress of being lost is gone. You can continue on toward your goal.
I certainly felt that way this past summer, but I also remember feeling that way just over three years ago. I had been buying, breeding, culling, and showing. I worked hard. Though I had won a few legs earlier on, I hadn't won anything - not even a class of five - for months. I felt like I was making no progress. I even bought new rabbits thinking I would have to start a whole new project for success.
And then suddenly, things clicked. I had my first BOB win with a bought rabbit and my first BOS win with a homegrown bunny. Within the next few weeks, I had my first homegrown BOB, my first BRIS, my first homegrown grand champion, and winning became something that happened fairly regularly. Not always, of course, but frequently enough to keep me from feeling like I'd lost my way again.
I sometimes talk with breeders who haven't turned the corner yet. They are frustrated. They believe they've served the time and should be winning by now. Some consider quitting.
If they've worked with good stock, worked hard at breeding, culled well, and tried to learn as much as they can, it may very well be that they are close to a breakthrough. There's often a lot of foundation work to do before things click.
I hate to see a breeder discouraged. True, just as you sometimes need to stop at a service station to ask directions, a breeder may need to stop and ask someone more experienced to help them evaluate where they are and what their plans are. It may be that they do need to make a course correction. But often, they are nearer than they think to producing rabbits that are much closer to their ideal than their past rabbits.
Hang in there. Everything that happens in your rabbitry teaches you something and can be used to help you be successful in the future.
I hope that if you haven't turned the corner in your rabbitry yet, that you will very soon.
Laurie ¶ 11:00 AM
And do you remember turning a corner to find something familiar. You saw something that said you were no longer lost. You had found your way after all. What a feeling that is. Relief and rejoicing. And suddenly, all of the distress of being lost is gone. You can continue on toward your goal.
I certainly felt that way this past summer, but I also remember feeling that way just over three years ago. I had been buying, breeding, culling, and showing. I worked hard. Though I had won a few legs earlier on, I hadn't won anything - not even a class of five - for months. I felt like I was making no progress. I even bought new rabbits thinking I would have to start a whole new project for success.
And then suddenly, things clicked. I had my first BOB win with a bought rabbit and my first BOS win with a homegrown bunny. Within the next few weeks, I had my first homegrown BOB, my first BRIS, my first homegrown grand champion, and winning became something that happened fairly regularly. Not always, of course, but frequently enough to keep me from feeling like I'd lost my way again.
I sometimes talk with breeders who haven't turned the corner yet. They are frustrated. They believe they've served the time and should be winning by now. Some consider quitting.
If they've worked with good stock, worked hard at breeding, culled well, and tried to learn as much as they can, it may very well be that they are close to a breakthrough. There's often a lot of foundation work to do before things click.
I hate to see a breeder discouraged. True, just as you sometimes need to stop at a service station to ask directions, a breeder may need to stop and ask someone more experienced to help them evaluate where they are and what their plans are. It may be that they do need to make a course correction. But often, they are nearer than they think to producing rabbits that are much closer to their ideal than their past rabbits.
Hang in there. Everything that happens in your rabbitry teaches you something and can be used to help you be successful in the future.
I hope that if you haven't turned the corner in your rabbitry yet, that you will very soon.
Laurie ¶ 11:00 AM
