Life Lessons from a Horse Whisperer is a Primer on Relationships with Both Horses and People

Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer by Dr. Lew Sterrett, with Bob Smietana, ISBN 978-0-8254-6316-7, Monarch Books, is far more than the story of how Dr. Lew Sterrett became what has become known as a horse whisperer, because of the way a person gentles a horse. Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer by Dr. Lew Sterrett shares how he came to understand not just how to build a trusting relationship with a horse, but also how to do so with people as well.

Through Dr. Sterrett's Sermon on the Mount presentations, he uses his methods to work with an often wild horse, gentling it to take bridle, saddle and rider while sharing principles of life and relationships with his audience.

In Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer, Dr. Lew Sterrett shares his own leadership and relationship principles, learned from growing up in a broken home, through mentors both good and bad as he became an expert horse trainer and the through the horses that showed him the way.

As he shared in his book Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer, Sterrett discovered that long-lasting success in any field of endeavor, in anything we seek to accomplish, takes hard work, not expecting to reach our goal without effort. Too often we look at the goal, but forget to take those small steps needed on a regular basis to reach that goal. Success comes in small steps and a willingness to learn and grow in our abilities and skills. Don't expect over-night success.

Instead expect to do things over and over and over until you've perfected what you seek to master. The old adage is true. Practice does make perfect, certainly closer to the goal than the person not willing to put in the time and effort. Short cuts only lead to frustration and, often, long-term failure.

Attitude is also important in both people and horses. A bad, complaining attitude is not a positive step toward any goal but failure. Success comes to those with a can-do, positive attitude.

Truth is also important, says Dr. Lew Sterrett in his book Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer. We need to find a trustworthy foundation. Faith is just such a foundation. Faith frees us to be ourselves and not have do it all on our own. It frees us to move ahead knowing we have solid, trustworthy guide. In Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer, Sterrett shows how he teaches a horse to trust him so much that even blind, he will follow Sterrett direction. Why? Because Dr. Lew Sterrett has earned that trust.

Humans as well as animals crave attention, affection and affirmation. Seeking to work with a horse without them, does not make for a positive working or trusting relationship. The same goes for working with humans.

The journey says says Dr. Lew Sterrett in his book Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer is as important as the goal. Winning isn't everything. Relationships aren't about winning, Sterrett teaches in his Sermon on the Mount presentations, but about inspiring people or horses to go from I can't, to I can to I want to.

The key to being a good trainer or leader, Dr. Sterrett said in his book Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer is to focus on needs not behavior. Dr. Sterrett points out that too often we focus on the negative behavior rather on the cause of that behavior.

It is important for either a trainer or leader in developing a positive, trusting relationship to redirect anger, provide hope and create incentive. Open up new alternatives for behavior, thought and actions.

In his book Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer, Dr. Lew Sterrett shares stories of the life lessons he has learned. One who is a good leader or trainer does the smart thing instead of that which will make him look good. He is not afraid to ask for help, and not afraid to learn new skills, new ways of looking at things and to learn them from whoever can best teach it. Though he is the horsemanship expert, he asked a young cowhand, working at the camp and being mentored by Dr. Sterrett, to teach him to rope.

A good trainer or leader builds confidence and a trust that keeps the person or horse from panicking in unexpected or dangerous situations.

Dr. Lew Sterrett, in his book Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer, leaves some principles to follow: communicate clearly, don't spring changes-prepare slowly, with people-correct in private, don't wait to deal with conflict-deal with is ASAP.

Whether used with horses or people, the principles of leadership and relationships shared in Dr. Lew Serrett's book Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer, provide a positive road to success.