There are many stressors when owning and operating a farm business, and for many of you, a multi-generational farm business. Adopting a positive mindset with a focus on gratitude can help farm business owners better handle these stressors.
Having a positive mindset does not mean you are the leader of the pep squad! It is how you choose to view your world. It is your outlook, and most importantly, it is your choice. Constantly focusing on your problems can lead to stress, fatigue, anger, and resentment, but changing your mindset to focus on the positive in your life can help improve your life.
Take a minute to complete a simple exercise that will show you how a positive focus and gratitude can change what you experience. For this example, think about walking into the shop or barn. Before walking in, focus on something you are grateful for in your life. This will help you focus on what is in front of you with a positive mindset.
It is important to be clear about what you want. The pictures that live most actively in your mind tend to be based on your personal and professional life. If you have personal and farm goals, write them down and display them where you will see them every day. Knowing your what and why will help you recognize how each task or chore is helping you reach those goals. When something negative happens or there is a problem, it will give you the clarity to decide how to make changes to prevent it in the future and be grateful for what went right that day.
To help you focus on the positive and use gratitude, you need to position your mind to work for you instead of against you. To help position your mind:
- Practice gratitude with a purpose daily.
- Be very clear about what you want and why you want it. Remind yourself of these often.
- Look for the good in your life. It is there!
Listen to this podcast
To learn more about cultivating a positive mindset and gratitude, listen to the “Use a Positive Mindset & Gratitude to Handle Daily Farm Stress” podcast episode on Rural Realities where Penn Vieau, professional speaker and coach, shares how adopting a positive mindset with a focus on gratitude can help you better handle these stressors. The episode explores how the mind works and leads you through examples so you can make immediate changes in your work and personal life to achieve your goals while effectively managing daily stress.
Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center!
With more than one hundred years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential financial and transition planning services, conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, and more. They can be reached at 800-942-2474 or farmcenter@wisconsin.gov. More information on programs and services is available at https://farmcenter.wi.gov.
This article was written by Karen Endres, Farmer Wellness Program Coordinator, WI Farm Center, DATCP
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