Learn to Fall Forward, Not Back
I look outside my window and wonder what is the magic formula that will allow dairy farms to continue making it 5 to 10 years from now. I don’t have a magic 8 ball that can tell us that, but what I can tell you all is that part of the formula requires resiliency. And I cannot think of anyone more resilient than a dairy farmer.
For better or worse, dairy farmers have learned resilience by owning and working on their dairies. You have become resilient by riding out the ups and downs of farming. Many of us also have had to learn to push forward after losses and hardships.
Resiliency isn’t getting knocked down and falling back. It’s getting knocked down and falling forward. The difference between those of us that fall forward versus those that fall back is putting the tools that adversity presented us within our toolbox. This equips us in the dairy industry to have a hefty toolbox to handle what is going to come at us in the next 5-10 years. Remember that. You are equipped to handle tough times.
Tips for Successes Future
- Focus on your why. Our why motivates us. It makes you pull your bootstraps on and head out in the morning, even when you don’t want to. Your why will motivate you to push forward during the tough times and fuel you with optimism during the good times.
- Have tough conversations. Be honest with yourselves about what your hopes and dreams are and what the real challenges that face your dairy farm. Talk with your partners – whether they are family or not. Brainstorm. Don’t let the worries only sit on your shoulders. Talk about what the future looks like. Talk with the next generation. Be willing to listen. Decisions don’t have to be made immediately. And, really if tough conversations are tough to be had, consider having a non-family or non-farm consultant, liaison, if you will, to help coach you through this.
- Think outside the box. Don’t just say no to new and unique ideas. Think differently about how you solve challenging problems, as well as embrace new opportunities.
- Get off the farm. A recipe for success is listening and hearing from others – in this industry – whether that be a fellow dairy producer or an industry representative.
- Culture. A strong company culture attracts better talent, but even more importantly, retains that talent. Farm culture oozes into other areas that we might be unaware or unconscious of. Like work productivity, work enjoyment, job satisfaction and farm profitability.
Remember, life is 10% what happens and 90% how we react to it. At the end of the day, strong minds determine our future path. Also, remember the good Lord made farmers tough to endure difficult situations.
