This week, our Director of Well-being, Tracy Secombe, shares her story of burnout with you. How she identified her symptoms and what she did to manage it. 

When I look back, I can see now that I was probably in burnout for close to 10 years without knowing it. 

I was the frog in the pot with the water boiling so gradually that I didn’t notice, but luckily, I didn’t experience the fate of the boiled frog. 

Like most people, I began by treating the symptoms of burnout. As a physiotherapist, my go-to treatment for my ever-increasing headaches was stretching, strengthening, massage, and occasional painkillers. However not being aware that I was in burnout meant that I never even considered trying to discover what might be the underlying cause of my burnout symptoms. 

I know now. 

I was so busy being pulled in so many different directions trying to keep everybody around me happy that I completely forgot about myself. I was so aware of other people’s needs and determined to help meet them that I didn’t know what my needs were. 

I got so good at presenting myself as happy and positive to the outside world that I had completely lost any connection to my real emotions. 

At a young age, I received praise for my achievements and for making other people feel good and I became addicted to it. I realised now that pushing myself so hard to achieve the next thing was driven by my trying to prove myself to other people. 

To prove my worth. 

I only thought I was good enough if I was always achieving more and more and helping others to get what they want. 

I still love helping other people get what they want. 

But now, I am aware of my own emotions, and I am aware of what drives me to do what I do.  

Back then, I worked from the minute I opened my eyes in the morning to the minute I closed them at night, and in fact, sometimes I’d wake up the following day and feel like I’d worked all night (it was like I dreamed about work) because I was subconsciously looking for approval from others. 

I didn’t have time for hobbies – in fact, I thought they were a waste of time. I thought it was impossible to be successful and have time for hobbies. 

Now I know differently. Now I know that feeling calm, happy, and inspired allows me to create the success that I want for myself and the people I love.  

Now I know that making time for me to feel good is the most important thing for me to do first before I take inspired action towards my goals. 

If you think that you might be experiencing symptoms of burnout or perhaps you are observing the symptoms in a loved one of yours, I would love you to join me on the webinar that I am running called…‘Beating Burnout & Increasing Resilience’  on Wednesday 29th of November where I will share with you how to discover the cause of your burnout so that you can treat not just the symptoms but the cause of the burnout so that you can not only recover from….. it but prevent it from reoccurring. I look forward to seeing you on the webinar. https://learning.farmownersacademy.com/burnout

Regards, 

Robbo, Tracy & The Farm Owners Academy Team 

This week, our Director of Well-being, Tracy Secombe, shares the following blog post on why we feel so guilty when we do something for ourselves. 

When new members join the Farm Owners Academy Platinum Mastermind program, they complete a Business Analysis Review (BAR). As part of the review, we check in with their current well-being status and determine what burnout stage they are in – with the honeymoon stage being the one we would all like to be in – and other various stages of incremental levels of stress.

If they determine that they are in stage 3 or higher of burnout, they are invited to work through my 7-day Calmness Code Challenge. On the first day of the challenge, we think about how our lives would change in each area if we were calmer. 

Go deeper into this topic with Tracy during our free webinar on Wednesday, 29th of November, all about ‘Beating Burnout & Increasing Resilience’ – You can register here.

Today, one of the people going through the Calmness Code Challenge mentioned that she would have more “guilt-free me time.” 

It reminded me of myself and so many of the people in the farming community that I work with.  

Why do we feel so guilty when we do something for ourselves? 
I think it’s because we have been taught to work hard and do things for others.  
There is nothing wrong with either of these things. However, if we never make time for ourselves to be healthy and happy, eventually, we’re not much good to anyone around us. 

It’s common to feel guilty about taking time for yourself, but it’s important to remember that self-care is essential for your well-being.  

According to an article from Psychology Today, many people suffer from what is sometimes called toxic or chronic guilt, which is closely related to a false and overwhelming sense of responsibility.  

This stems from their childhood environment and is carried into their adulthood and adult relationships, be they romantic, work, or others.  

False responsibility refers to an attitude when you feel responsible for things that, objectively, you aren’t responsible for and shouldn’t feel responsible for.  

For example, as children and adolescents, people feel responsible for the needs and emotions of their parents, siblings, and other family members. Usually, this sense of responsibility comes from being overtly or covertly blamed and punished. Since the children are powerless and dependent, they have no choice but to accept any treatment they receive from their caregivers. Since the children don’t have a frame of reference, they also tend to normalise their environment or even perceive it as loving or caring childrearing.  

This false sense of guilt can even become a default state that is referred to as chronic or toxic guilt. As a result, the person tends to take on unjust responsibility and feels overly guilty if things around them go wrong. They are quick to accept that everything is their fault even though it isn’t.  

They also often have poor boundaries, are emotionally entangled with other people, and try to manage other people’s emotions or generally feel overwhelmed by other people’s emotions.  

If you’re feeling guilty about taking time for yourself, it’s important to remember that you deserve to take care of yourself. Here are some tips to help you overcome feelings of guilt: 

1. Recognise that self-care is important: Taking care of yourself is essential for your well-being. It’s not selfish to take time for yourself. 

2. Set boundaries: It’s essential to set boundaries and communicate them to others. Let them know that you need some time for yourself. 

3. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you stay present and focused on the moment. It can also help you let go of negative thoughts and feelings. 

4. Challenge negative thoughts: When you start to feel guilty, challenge those negative thoughts. Ask yourself if they’re really true. 

5. Be kind to yourself: Remember to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would show to a friend. 

Remember, taking time for yourself is not selfish. It’s essential for your well-being and can help you be more productive and effective in other areas of your life. 

Regards,  

Robbo, Tracy & The Farm Owners Academy Team 

P.S. This is your last chance to register! Go deeper into this topic with Tracy during our free webinar on Wednesday, 29th of November, all about ‘Beating Burnout & Increasing Resilience’ – You can register here.

There is always something to worry about.   

We have been through drought, fires, floods, COVID, The Ukraine War, increasing interest rates and very high inflation (just to name a few).  

…it never ends, and it’s important to know that it will never end. 

Recently, I listened to an amusing story where an 84-year-old was out at a nightclub. He was a regular. He loved a drink and was a smoker. 

A journalist interviewed him and asked, ‘you’re 84, don’t you worry about your health and the effects of going out drinking and smoking?’ 

He smiled at her and said, ‘my wife used to worry about it, and she died five years ago – from too much stress.’ 

The worry and fear are often more dangerous to our mental and physical health than the actual event itself.  

It’s so easy to dramatise things and overthink them. 

This is what we mean by fear: 
 

 
Most things we worry about never really happen… 

Have a great week,

Robbo 

I hope this message finds you well.

I wanted to share a recent experience where we took the time to align our Farm Owners Academy team with the company’s direction.

Here are some key highlights:

Our CEO, Sam Johnsson, organised a 2-day planning session for a portion of our leadership team in the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

We reviewed our 3-year goals and mapped out a 12-month plan, working backwards to identify our focus for the next 90 days.

The session was well-structured and facilitated by Sam, with pre-work completed by each participant.

We had ample opportunity to discuss ways to improve the business and reconnect with our mission of helping farmer owners.

By the end of the two days, we all walked away with:

• Clarity on responsibilities and timelines, allowing us to reset with exciting new goals.
• Increased confidence, excitement, and motivation for our shared vision.
• The energy and momentum created during this time away were a game changer for all of us.

The investment of time and money yielded a solid 10x return, far surpassing the costs.

I strongly encourage you to consider investing lavishly in getting your team in sync. It is truly the best investment you can make, with transformative effects on performance and overall success.

Robbo

P.S. One of the best things you can do to help your team get in sync, is to get clarity on your organisation structure and define the roles of each team member.  You can download a free copy of how to do this and examples here – https://site.farmownersacademy.com/smart-farm

If you want to hire someone, the ultimate goal should be to hire the right person. Slowing down the hiring process to find the ideal candidate is perfectly acceptable.

One good employee beats three average (this is why it’s okay to pay one good one a little more).

Here are eight traits to consider when hiring (thanks to Matt Gray for his contribution to these):

Grit: Grit is an indispensable quality. It encompasses the ability to persist through obstacles, bounce back from failure, and exhibit tenacity in the face of challenges. While hard work is common, true grit is a rare and valuable trait.

Resourcefulness: Look for individuals who possess relentless resourcefulness. These individuals excel at finding solutions, no matter how daunting or impossible a problem may seem. They are innovative problem solvers who believe there is always a way forward. Think of them as water, always finding a path around any obstacle.

Optimism: Farming can be a roller coaster ride, and having optimistic people on your team can provide a significant mental boost. Optimistic individuals do not see roadblocks; instead, they view them as stepping stones to success. Their electrifying and infectious energy is a must-have when the going gets tough.

Constant Learning: In a fast-paced world, continuous learning and adaptation are essential. Seek out candidates who actively seek feedback, strive to expand their skills, and maintain curiosity and hunger for knowledge. By investing in their development, you can expect a great return on your investment.

Fun: Although it may sound straightforward, it is vital to hire individuals who are not difficult people. It doesn’t matter how intelligent, hardworking, or optimistic someone is-if they lack empathy, struggle with collaboration, or fail to treat others with respect, they are not a good fit for the team.

Positive Presence: It is important to have people around whom you genuinely enjoy spending time with. Work can be intense, and having team members who bring positive energy, a sense of humour, and a lightness to work can make a world of difference. When work feels like play, the team becomes unstoppable.

Growth Mindset: A growth mindset is a foundational trait to look for in potential hires. Seek individuals who embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and believe that abilities and intelligence can be developed. People with a growth mindset focus on the process rather than being fixated solely on the outcome.

Sense of Responsibility: It is crucial for team members to take ownership of their work and care about doing a good job. Look for individuals who enjoy responsibility and do not require constant supervision. When everyone on the team takes initiative, performance improves, and you will have more breathing room and peace of mind.

By carefully considering these eight traits when making hiring decisions, you can increase the likelihood of finding the right person who will contribute to your team’s success.

Robbo

P.S. We have created a free handbook you can use to help you form your dream team. Download here

Do You Ever Get Triggered? 

I’m willing to bet that, like me, you experience triggers because you’re human. 

Triggers occur when someone or something causes us to react negatively. For years, I avoided triggers and often blamed others or the situation for my negative reactions. However, I’ve come to realise that being triggered can actually be a positive thing because it presents an opportunity for self-reflection. 

During a coaching call with Tracy Secombe, a Farm Owners Academy Coach & Director of Well-being, she helped me understand this concept. 

I shared with her a situation that had deeply triggered me, involving someone with a dominant personality, leaving me feeling intimidated and afraid to speak up for myself – let’s call them ‘Billy’. At the beginning of our conversation, I vented my frustration and placed all the blame on the other person. 

Tracy posed a simple yet powerful question to me: “Why is this showing up for you, Andrew, and what do you need to learn from this?” 

I must admit that I was initially taken aback by the question. Until then, I had never really considered the underlying reasons behind my triggers. Tracy further asked if similar situations had occurred in the past, and I recounted several instances. 

Through our discussion, Tracy helped me recognise that my fear of confronting dominant individuals stemmed from my relationship with my father. As a child, I often felt intimidated by him and hesitated to assert myself. 

Tracy guided me to see that this trigger presented an opportunity for growth and encouraged me to schedule a phone call to ‘Billy’ where I could stand up for myself. 

Although I was terrified, I firmly believe in the saying, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” 

After the phone call, I experienced an overwhelming sense of liberation, and since then, the triggering issue has not resurfaced. I no longer fear standing up for myself. 

Understanding and acknowledging our triggers is crucial. It’s important to realise that these triggers stem from our unresolved issues rather than being solely the fault of others. 

Ironically, the people who frustrate and annoy us the most often serve as our greatest teachers. It’s undoubtedly challenging, but we should be grateful to them for helping us confront our internal struggles. 

I’m aware that this blog post may even trigger some readers; if that’s the case, I see it as a positive outcome. 

Remember, triggers are opportunities for growth. So embrace them, explore their origins, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. 

Wishing you an excellent day!

At our last TOP Producers event, a farmer approached me and mentioned that he had heard Farm Owners Academy being referred to as a ‘cult.’ To my surprise, when asked directly, I responded, “Well, in many ways, it is.”

Allow me to explain.

The term “cult” is derived from the word “culture.”

Culture can be defined as a new way of thinking. Just like successful sports teams that cultivate a strong culture (or cult), one could argue that your favorite sports team is also a cult. The top teams excel in creating fanatical supporters who are passionate about their mission and what they do.

Similarly, great businesses also embody cult-like characteristics. They establish a culture that attracts and retains talented individuals. Team members become deeply committed to the organization’s mission and are passionate about their work.

In essence, at Farm Owners Academy, we do encourage a different way of thinking.

Times have changed, and traditional notions of running a farm, such as believing that you must be the hardest working person and should invest all profits to avoid taxes, no longer serve everyone.

We acknowledge that Farm Owners Academy may not be suitable for everyone, nor have we ever claimed to be. However, for those who are open-minded, humble, seek help, and wish to become the best version of themselves, working with us will feel like home.

We are dedicated to teaching you how to build a sustainable business, rather than just creating a job for yourself. Our focus is on making your business highly profitable, even during challenging times, which may result in paying more taxes. However, we believe that being financially successful and contributing to society through taxes is a crucial part of building a thriving business.

Once your business is thriving, we guide you in systemizing your operations, enabling you to delegate tasks and responsibilities to a competent team. This allows you to reclaim your time and focus on the aspects of farming that truly matter to you.

Moreover, we go beyond the boundaries of the farm by showing you how to invest your money outside of your farming business. Our aim is to help you generate passive income, providing you with financial security and freedom. We call this approach the “Freedom Farmer” lifestyle, where you have a business that operates efficiently without your constant involvement, granting you the freedom to pursue other passions or interests or giving you the freedom to farm because you want to, not because you have to.

Did you know that the farms we benchmark have more than $2 billion worth of assets under management each year?

For those who register for our free webinar in June, we have a special bonus training for you called “Beyond Average: How Australia’s Top Farmers Outperformed the Rest Last Year with Data from One of Australia’s Largest Benchmarking Companies.”

During this presentation, we will analyze the latest data and insights from this extensive benchmarking set of high-performing farm owners. We have compiled data from hundreds of farms across the country to identify the key factors that distinguish the top 20% of farmers from the rest. We will delve into the numbers and uncover the specific strategies and practices that successful farmers used to outperform their peers. These valuable insights can be applied to your own farming business. The value of this training is estimated at $500 and will be gifted to those who register and attend the free training. Click here to register for this free training session or find out more information.

At Farm Owners Academy, we foster a culture of continuous improvement and strive to provide farmers with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to thrive in the modern business landscape.

Have a great day,

Robbo

P.S. Find our more about our free training series or secure your seat – click here!

Here are 7 habits of highly effective farm business owners:

1. They have a morning routine. Rather than diving straight into work, they slow down to ensure they feel great (maybe get some exercise in, meditate), they also ensure they are working on the right things for the day. They never like to start their day until it’s finished on paper – a 10-minute plan will ensure you are much more effective. Here are a few things you could do each morning to help you

• Write out you goals (3 years, 12 months and quarterly) – include busi ess and personal (health, relationship and family, social, wealth etc) 
• Read or write out 10 affirmations (I am statements) 
• Write out a few reasons why you want your goals 
• Write out a few reasons why your worth it 
• FINISH with a daily plan

2. Planning and communication. They don’t wing things. They plan and have a system to ensure they are on track, reviewed yearly, quarterly & weekly. Agendas drive the meetings, and the meetings are non-negotiable. They know these are the most important things to do all year, so there is never an excuse not to have them.

3. Budgeting, reviewing financial data, and breaking their business into Key Performance Indicators. Data doesn’t lie. Highly effective farm owners run their businesses by data and refer back to this regularly to make decisions. They make a real effort to schedule a time to review these important areas. They benchmark, not to compare to other farms, but more to help them improve year on year.

3. Reading and learning. Rather than listening to the news, they love to learn. They know they can get more from a business book, attending an event or meeting someone more intelligent than themselves, and they understand that the more they learn, the more they earn. So they find time to learn and stop finding excuses why they can’t do it.

4. Self-care. Eating well, exercising, taking breaks, and switching off. These are also habits. Regular breaks are vital for the well-being of successful owners.

5. Think Time. They make time to explore how they can improve themselves and how they can improve their business. Many will use a journal and write out ideas on how to grow their business, improve their health, relationships, etc. They know that thinking with a pen will get them a lot further than thinking without one, and they love to write things down because they know they have a higher probability of implementing things if they are written down.

6. Scheduling things in their calendar and holding themselves accountable for doing it. Most people don’t like to let others down, but successful people also don’t like letting themselves down. So if they say they will do something, they do it. They recognise that if they don’t schedule it in their calendar (all highly successful people use a calendar to drive their time), then there is a good chance they won’t do it. So they put things into their calendar regularly, then hold themselves to account for sticking to this time and getting it done.  

Remember – a bad habit is easy to have, hard to live with, and a good habit is a bit harder to put in place at first, but will make your life easier in the long run. 

Have a great day! 

Robbo 

We are running a free online coaching session on Wednesday, June 7th, called Surviving & Thriving In Changing Times – it is all about how farm owners can overcome rising costs, inflation and softening commodity prices. 

Click here to register

Running a farm business has never been easy, and recent economic trends have only made it more challenging. Rising costs, inflation, and softening commodity prices are just a few of the obstacles that farmers must navigate to keep their businesses afloat. But with the right strategies in place, farm owners can overcome these challenges and thrive in today’s economy. 

Here are some tips… 

1. Work on your business model. 

Many farmers are excellent at what they do but might not have the correct business model in place.  

The following diagram shows where the average farmers focus versus the top 20% of farm owners. 

The results can be significant when you learn the right business model and apply it to your business. For example, this diagram illustrates that the farmers focusing on the right areas of their business are making up to $480k extra profit per year per $10m in assets managed. 

Remember, it’s not how hard you work. A better question to ask is, are you working on the right stuff?  For this, you need clarity on where you are going and a clear plan to ensure you are working on the strategic decisions that impact your bottom line 

2. Profit First 

Some farms have best practices, and some farms have best profits. But, unfortunately, only one is going to put the kids through school.  

It’s not about having the best machinery or the best-looking farm. Are you really making decisions to maximise your profitability? Are you analysing your costs to see where you can minimise them, and do you have the ability to analyse your data to make decisions that will improve your profitability?   

Unfortunately, winging it won’t work. 

Profit first is a habit that needs focus yearly, quarterly, monthly and weekly.   

Here is a graph to help you know what to do and when:

3. Benchmarking and KPIs 

Linked to profit first, great farms benchmark their business. They don’t do this to compete with others. They do this so that they can improve year after year. A good benchmark will identify several KPIs so you can see where you are. 

Many properties are underutilised and have a lot more capacity for profit.    

Here is a list of a few of the KPIs we believe you could measure  

In summary, the three secrets to a profitable farm business include: 

1. Implementing the right business model – the right business model makes profit inevitable, even in tough times. 

1. Profit first – to transform your business make profit a habit 

1. Benchmarking and KPI – to have absolute clarity on your business without paying thousands to your accountant 

Our upcoming webinar will cover this topic in much more depth, plus much more!  

Discover why your business model could be holding you back from high returns (and how to break free) and rising above challenges: how the top 20% of farmers stay profitable during tough times. 

Click here to register – free webinar.

During this 90-minute session, we will cover: 

• Maximising Your Farm’s Profits: Harnessing the Power of Budgeting, P&L Statements, and Balance Sheets. 
• Tips From the Pros: How Emma and Mel’s Data-Driven Approach Took Their Farms to the Top 
• The Game-Changing Decision That Transformed the Bell Brothers’ Farm from Losses to $500k+ Annual Profits 

If you register and stay until the end of the live session, we will also share a special bonus recording with you called “Beyond Average: How Australia’s Top Farmers Outperformed the Rest Last Year with Data from One of Australia’s Largest Benchmarking Companies”. 

During this presentation, we analysed the latest data and insights provided by one of Australia’s leading benchmarking companies, which has compiled data from hundreds of farms across the country to identify the key factors that separate the top 20% of farmers from the rest. We will delve into the numbers and uncover the specific strategies and practices that successful farmers use to outperform their peers, providing valuable insights that you can apply to your own farming business. 

Looking forward to seeing you online. Click here to register. 

Robbo 

To grow your business, you will inevitably encounter a dip in short-term revenue. This dip is a common occurrence, but unfortunately, many business owners get stuck here, focusing on the cost of making a good decision instead of the potential medium to long-term benefits.  

A lot of businesses will reach a ceiling as illustrated by this image

Often, to break through an income ceiling, you need to experience a dip (ie a short-term drop in revenue)

Here are some examples of situations where you might experience ‘the dip’:

• Hiring a new team member (this may require a higher cost upfront, but can lead to increased revenue in the long run)
• Implementing new technology
• Engaging an expert to help you grow
• Improving infrastructure
• Improving genetics
• Scaling up your business

If you focus solely on short-term profit, you may neglect the decisions that could bring tremendous upside in the medium to long term. This is often what keeps business owners trapped at a ceiling. 

Successful business owners understand that it’s okay to experience ‘the dip’ and find comfort in making decisions that will benefit their business in the medium to long run. They take calculated risks and switch their mindset from “what might go wrong” to “what might go right” if they make a particular decision. 

To help you make better decisions and overcome the dip, we’re offering free Strategic Roadmap call valued at $997 (we have 20 spots available). A Farm Owners Academy coach can help you gain clarity and develop a plan, so you don’t have to make these decisions alone. Book your free roadmap call at site.farmownersacademy.com/roadmap.

Remember, there’s risk in everything we do, but with the right mindset and support, you can overcome the dip and make better business decisions for long-term success. 

Robbo