I believe that success is simple. Let me be clear, I’m not saying it’s easy. In fact, it takes a whole lot of hard work, dedication and cleverness. But, the recipe for success is simple. I’ve met quite a few successful ranchers over the past year. While each rancher is unique, they all have things in common. Here is what I’ve found that they share:
- Work Ethic – They are responsible for their own livelihood, and they act accordingly by doing the work that needs to be done. Putting work off until the next day can become a habit, try to avoid it.
- Fearless – They aren’t afraid to try new things and fail, like adjusting the graze to trample ratio.
- Educated – Most of these men and women read a lot. They are challenging their beliefs and ideas. Many of them do not have a college education, this is OK and sometimes preferable.
- Financially Responsible – These individuals or families are smart with their money. They spend money on things they need, and save most of their money to reinvest in the business or for a rainy day.
- Circle of Influence – Most ranchers focus on this, even if it’s subconscious. The theory is that you need to spend your time and energy focusing on where you have an influence. Focusing on the concern part of the diagram is pointless and leads to wasted time and frustration. The more time you spend being proactive about your influence, the bigger your circle of influence will become. For example worrying about the new farm bill is relatively pointless. Thinking about how to reduce the amount of fuel you use over the next 12 months is smart use of time and energy.
So, there you have it. These are some characteristics that many successful farmers/ranchers seem to have. What are some other qualities that successful people have that you’ve noticed? I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Also, please remember that you can subscribe here to receive e-mail when updates are published.
