Izzy Godman has shown sheep and goats at a high level for a long time! Including winning the 2024 grand champion ewe, market goat, and weather dam at the Kentucky State fair.  She has learned that sometimes it’s hard to get away from the mindset of always being perfect in everything you do.  

Do not let the perfectionist mindset take over. 

“ Over the years, I’ve learned that showing livestock is about more than just winning. It’s about growth, learning, and the connection you build with your animal. Mistakes will happen. Your animal might act up in the ring, or a fit might not turn out as expected. But those moments are part of the process. Instead of chasing perfection, focus on doing your best, staying calm under pressure, learning from each experience, and controlling what you can control. Success comes not from perfection but from consistency, adaptability, and the ability to bounce back when things don’t go your way.

This mental game isn’t just in the ring; it’s at home too. In my 14 years of showing i’ve experienced every emotion possible. There will be days when everything clicks. You’re in a great mood, you take your animal out to work, and it’s a dream. Strides are perfect and their feet set effortlessly. After, you walk away feeling like all the hard work is paying off. But then there will be days when it’s the complete opposite. Maybe you’ve had a bad day at school or work, and that frustration carries over into the barn. Your animal senses your energy and starts acting up, or you just can’t seem to get things right. On those days, it’s easy to get discouraged, but that’s when you have to remind yourself that perfection isn’t the goal. Consistency and effort are.

On the hard days, give what you have. It might be 95%, 75%, or maybe even 25%, but what matters is that you showed up and gave it your best under the circumstances. Growth doesn’t happen when everything is easy; it happens when you push through the hard days and learn from them.

Yes, even on the good days you build a bond with your animal. After a successful day in the ring or a solid practice session, it’s easy to feel connected. Your animal responded well, you both performed to the best of your ability, and it feels like everything is coming together. That bond strengthens naturally when things are going well. But it’s on the hard days where the true foundation of that connection is built. When things aren’t going your way, when your animal is acting stubborn, when you’re feeling off, or when the frustration starts to build, that’s when you have the greatest opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your animal.

Instead of letting the frustration take over, step back and take the time to reset. Spend some quiet time with your animal outside of training or showing. Brush them down, sit with them in the pen, or take a slow walk together. Let them feel your calmness and reassurance. Animals are incredibly intuitive. They can sense when you’re stressed or frustrated, but they also respond to steadiness and patience.

A strong bond with your animal will make everything easier, both in and out of the ring. When your animal knows they can trust you, they’ll be more likely to respond calmly and confidently even in high-pressure situations. That trust isn’t built just through practice and repetition. It’s built through the quiet moments when you show your animal that you’re there for them, even when things aren’t going right. When you have that kind of connection, it creates a sense of partnership. Your animal isn’t just responding to commands; they’re working with you because they trust you. That kind of bond makes a difference when the pressure is on. It means that even if things start to unravel in the ring, you’ll be able to stay calm and work through it together.

So yes, the good days are important for building confidence and rhythm, but the hard days are where the bond truly strengthens. Don’t see those rough days as setbacks. See them as a chance to build trust, connection, and resilience with your animal. That bond will carry you through the highs and the lows, and it’s often the difference between a good showman and a great one.

It’s also important to remember that perfection isn’t just unrealistic; it’s unsustainable. If you’re constantly measuring your success by whether or not everything goes perfectly, you’ll never feel satisfied. The best showmen know that the journey matters more than the outcome. It’s about the long nights in the barn, the early mornings at shows, the hours spent brushing, training, and bonding with your animal.

The true reward isn’t always the banner or the buckle; it’s the work and the lessons you take with you along the way. So, give yourself some grace. Understand that not every day will be perfect, and that’s part of the process. The setbacks, the tough days, and the mistakes are shaping you into a better showman and a stronger person. Let go of perfection, and instead, embrace the process. That’s where real success happens.”