On being overwhelmed

When I first started riding and taking lessons I was so frustrated because there was so much to remember. Sit straight, heels down, shorten up the reins, bring up your energy, direct rein, indirect rein, neck rein, use your legs, easy on the mouth and a million other things. Even today, when I attend a clinic I find it easy to become overwhelmed with new information and even things I know but haven't been doing. It is times like this that I have to remember to blow out and realize that I may need to lick and chew to absorb it all and I don't have to do it all at once. I need to focus on a few fundamental things and work on them and practice them until it becomes second nature and my muscle memory will kick in so I don't have to try to remember them, I just do them. Then I can work on some new things till they become second nature as well. Small bites one at a time.... Just like you eat an elephant!