Education: October, 2002 October, 2002 Table of Contents

by Shan Ingram

What are you doing? If you are anything like me, you ask yourself this question from time to time. We all tend to be creatures of habit and get locked into daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly routines. Maybe a better question is, "Why are you doing what you are doing?" Why do you have the grasses, cattle, crops, places and/or equipment you have? Is there a reason, or are you just being a creature of habit?

It's easy to get "stuck in a rut"! How long has it been since you did something that is truly different in your operation — or for that matter, in your life? I find it somewhat amazing that many people live for years and sometimes a lifetime and never examine "what they are doing."

Perhaps you need to take a break from your routine and enlighten yourself a bit. Go on a tour. See some other operations and how other people do what you are doing. We can generally learn from others. I'll bet that some organization you belong to or know about is offering a tour to other operations that relate to what you are doing or something you want to do.

Maybe you need to take in a conference, school, seminar or other type of educational event. How long has it been since you attended an event of this type with an open mind and said, "By attending this function, I am going to learn something that will benefit me and my operation."? I know producers who haven't been to an event like these in years. Many times, they use the excuse that they have too much work to do. What are you working for and what are you really accomplishing? Then, I also know producers who regularly attend educational events, but are closed-minded. They like to argue or tell others of their experiences — they don't attend to learn with an open mind. Pick out an activity and attend it with the attitude that you are going to learn something that will benefit you.

Where do you want your operation to be next year or in five or 10 years? Do you know? Have you considered it? If you haven't made some goals and devised a plan to help you achieve them, it probably will not happen. It's relatively easy to get out of bed each day and go through your work routine. It's more difficult, but more rewarding, to break out of the rut and achieve something that you have thought about and planned toward. Remember how rewarding it was when you finished high school or bought your first vehicle? If you are not feeling a sense of accomplishment from time to time, you probably need to do something to change.

Changing what we do and how we do it is difficult. It's just like losing weight or quitting some bad habit. First we must make a mental adjustment and become mentally prepared to change — dedicated! Then we must have a good plan. Planning takes time. You should solicit input from others that have knowledge or insight into your situation. Finally, you must execute the plan. Have a backup plan of action and be persistent. You will probably fail several times before you succeed. When your first plan fails, examine it — why did it fail? Make a new plan that is stronger and better. Try again. Most successful people fail several times before they succeed. Join them.

Remember, we are all creatures of habit. Don't just drift through life. When your head hits the pillow each night, ask yourself, "What did I accomplish today?" If you don't know, you need to change.