On Wednesday, 29^th of November, our Director of Wellbeing, Tracy Secombe, will be running a free webinar on ‘Beating Burnout & Increasing Resilience.’

You can register here.

Tracy has shared the below article on how changing what we believe can help us deal with challenges…

Challenging circumstances are not only a part of life but a necessary part.

It can seem hard to believe, but I have learned that we want the challenges to allow us to become more.

A muscle can’t grow or become stronger if we don’t apply stress to it. In fact, it will shrink and weaken if we don’t use it.

It is the same for us.

You may be familiar with the supplication:

“Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

In other words, “help me react in a helpful way to challenging circumstances.”

Reactions are not only a part of life, but they are also how life works.

Life is essentially a chain reaction. One event causes another event, which causes another, which causes another…. you get the idea!

We can either let this chain reaction occur through default (unconsciously), or we can choose how we are going to react in this chain reaction and potentially shift its projection in the direction we prefer.

If you stop and reflect on the past few months, ask yourself what your common reaction has been to challenging circumstances.

How do you feel?

What do you think?

What do you say?

Who do you say it to?

How do you say it?

What do you do?

What DON’T you do?

This might feel quite confronting, and you may think you can’t do anything about it.

I want to reassure you that you can.

It is possible to learn how to become aware of your habitual reactive patterns to certain triggers and to change the way you respond to them.

It starts with understanding what you believe that causes the reaction. If it is a limiting belief, it will cause a negative reaction, and if it is an empowering belief, it will cause a positive response.

Without doing this work on us, we leave this to our programming, which is based on our history.

Nothing is wrong with repeating the history you enjoyed, but what about the parts you didn’t like?

A belief is just a thought you keep thinking. It has no power over you, and you have the power to change the thought.

It takes discipline and the desire to change.

I promise you it’s worth it!

Robbo on behalf of Tracy

P.S. Tracy is hosting a webinar on ‘Beating Burnout & Increasing Resilience’ on Wednesday, 29th November 2023, and would love to see you there. Click here to register or to find out more!

Cheryl and Tim, two of our esteemed coaches at Farm Owners Academy, have successfully built a farm that operates seamlessly without their constant involvement. As a result, they now travel across Australia to assist other farmers in our Platinum Mastermind program in achieving similar success. 

On their travels, they are regularly asked about what they see is the “secret to success” on the farms that are consistently performing exceptionally well.   

While there is no ‘magic bullet’, they have identified a number of things (small and big) that these farm business owners do consistently that not only keep them at the top of their game but also help to ensure that they are enjoying the journey… which to me is the most important thing! 

Here’s a sample of the things that have stood out to Tim & Cheryl… 

What are the top producers doing? 

• They work on their mindset – maintaining their focus on what they can control and want, rather than in the past or on what they don’t want.  

• They take full responsibility without excuses or blame and genuinely believe that everything is always working out for them … they always look for the silver lining.   
• They have trained themselves to have an abundance mentality around money, time, and opportunities.  
• They have a real passion for their work and are super excited about their long-term vision.  
• They know their numbers and analyse every decision. You can’t be a consistent top producer without this one!  I’ve heard a quote: Money management isn’t everything, but it is a close second to breathing most of the time.   
• They love to learn – they’ve typically completed a huge amount of training programs. 

• They are curious – constantly asking questions about how and why others do what they do. 
• They are implementers – they plan, but then they act.  And often act before they feel they are completely ready… then adjust as they go. 
• They are open to suggestions and advice and prepared to try new things. 
• They are constantly asking – how can I do this better?  How can we do this more efficiently? 
• They are proactive/ahead of the game… they see the writing on the wall and act… even when this action is hard. 

• They negotiate and look for win-win in everything. 
• They maximise what they have.  And then, if their scale still prevents them from making a profit, they create other sources of income (off-farm work, another business etc.) 
• They expand and grow their business, but only when they are confident they have the business model to do this.  
• They constantly look for opportunities and take the time necessary to research these well.  They are also prepared to say ‘no’ even when an opportunity looks amazing – if it is not a fit for them.  
• They plan – their day, week, quarter, year – plus have a clear vision of where they would like to be long term. 

• They work with people who share their values and vision. 
• They see team members as an investment rather than a cost, and they take good care of their investment. 
• They call their employees “team members” rather than “staff” and focus on building a great culture. 
• They transition the next generation into leadership roles early – to take advantage of the energy this brings to the business. 
• They plan and execute the succession of assets – they don’t just leave this in the “too hard” basket. 

• They make sure the important things in life stay the important things.  They make time for family, friends, holidays and the things they love. 
• They look after their health.  In farm businesses, where we often spend a large part of our time managing assets worth a large amount of money, these people recognize that they are their number one asset.  

That’s a start. Of course, there are many other habits and actions that contribute to success.  

Looking back at the above list, it’s interesting how many of the dot points are related to mindset. Perhaps this is the “magic bullet”!   

Managing your mindset is the number one key to building a strong foundation for your businesses.  And the bonus is that the journey becomes more enjoyable when we focus on mindset first.     

Regards,  

Andrew Roberts & the Farm Owners Academy Team 

P.S. If you’re eager to implement these winning strategies and elevate your farm business, I wholeheartedly recommend checking out our New Farm Business Mastery program. Dive in and transform your farming journey today! 

What a crazy environment we find ourselves in. 
 

Talk about building resilience…
 

• Interest rates have gone up
• fuel prices and other input costs are rising.
   

And just when that isn’t enough, some are also faced with
 

• Livestock prices collapsing, AND
• The threat of another drought.
   

It feels like everyone is just recovering from the last drought, and many farmers are still putting the pieces together from being wiped out by floods or fires.
 

Sure, it’s been a great few years for many, but here we are again.
 

I’m sure this is causing a lot of frustration, fear, uncertainty and possibly sleepless nights…not knowing how the next year will unfold.

Not knowing what the best decisions are to make right now.
 

We understand, and we are with you (we are farmers ourselves).
 

You don’t have to do this alone; we are here to help.
 

We would love to offer you a free Strategic Roadmap call, where you get to share what is going on for you and have someone who can help you navigate any decisions you need to make – not just to survive the next year or two, but also thrive.
 

We have opened some more spots, so if you want a hand (or someone to talk to), then please lean in.
 

Click on this link to book your complimentary call

We can’t guarantee we have all the answers, but maybe we can give you a tool or strategy to take the pressure off.

Hang in there,

Andrew

P.S. Sometimes just talking to someone can make all the difference.

P.P.S Click here to book your free strategic roadmap call.

To every farm owner out there, riding the waves of unpredictable seasons, volatile market prices, and the myriad challenges that come with working on the land – this one’s for you.
 

There’s a prevailing notion, not just in farming but across various sectors, that during tough times, a mentality of scarcity – of tightening the belt and hunkering down – is the most rational response. While prudent financial and operational decisions are critical, there’s a nuanced difference between being cautious and being trapped in a mindset of scarcity.
 

Here’s why it’s vital to embrace abundance, even when the skies seem greyest.

1. The Downward Spiral of Scarcity
 

Stifled Innovation: When we operate from a place of fear and scarcity, our capacity to innovate diminishes. We become risk-averse, often overlooking potential avenues for growth or improvement.
 

Missed Opportunities: A scarcity mindset narrows our focus, often making us ‘zero in’ on what we’re lacking rather than seeing the complete picture. This tunnel vision can cause us to miss out on opportunities that might be right under our noses.
 

Well-being and Morale: Continual stress and anxiety stemming from a constant focus on what’s lacking can take a toll on our mental well-being. It can also impact the morale of everyone involved in the farming operations.

2. The Liberating Power of Abundance

Expansive Thinking: An abundant mindset isn’t about ignoring challenges. Instead, it shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have and what’s possible. This shift can spark innovative solutions and new approaches.
 

Building Resilience: When we believe in abundance, we inherently believe in our capacity to bounce back. This resilience is crucial, especially in an industry as unpredictable as farming.
 

Attracting Opportunities: Positive thinking, rooted in abundance, can make us more receptive to collaborations, new technologies, or alternative farming methods that we might have dismissed otherwise.

3. Cultivating Abundance in Practice

Gratitude Journal: Taking a moment daily to jot down things you’re thankful for can be transformative. It could be a good harvest, a supportive community, or simply the beauty of a sunrise over your fields.
 

Continuous Learning: Investing in new skills and knowledge is a testament to the belief in a better future. Whether it’s a workshop, a book, or an online course, continuous learning feeds the mind’s abundance.
 

Community Engagement: Engaging with fellow farm owners, joining cooperative efforts, or simply sharing stories can foster a sense of collective abundance.
 

Tough times are an inherent part of the farming journey. Yet, how we perceive these challenges can make all the difference. By actively choosing an abundant mindset over one of scarcity, we not only ensure our mental well-being but also open doors to solutions and opportunities that could turn the tide in our favour.
 

Remember, every season, no matter how challenging, eventually gives way. In nurturing an abundant mindset, we sow seeds of hope, resilience, and positivity, ensuring that when the next harvest comes, it’s not just our crops that flourish but our spirits, too.
 

Thanks, 

Robbo and the Farm Owners Academy Team