There is a lot of confusion in the NZ Farming Industry. Which techniques work? Which techniques don’t work? Which way should I jump on issues? How do I make a profit from farming? These are all questions grappled with every day by farmers. How do we navigate through all of this and come out with results we want and can be proud of? Here are 2 main things you can do:
Do your research. This sounds simple but few actually do it well. Define the problem you are trying to solve or the need you are trying to meet, find out what the main issues tend to be and why, and then go searching for your own answers to those questions. Go out and talk with / listen to relevant people. Read relevant publications. Do a lot of thinking but make sure you do so from those principles you identified above i.e. your slant on the topic. Keeping an open mind is crucial here as we don’t know what we don’t know but trust your instincts when searching for the answers. Blindly accepting sales talk is not a great recipe for success and this happens too often in farming – especially when the farmer doesn’t have a handle on how the issue affects them personally.
Keep searching until you are satisfied you have what you need. A word of warning here though – be careful of the Paralysis of Analysis i.e. too much analysing with no action! However, if you have your base questions defined, the problem or need understood and the principles solid, this shouldn’t be a problem. By the same token, don’t let the Paralysis of Analysis concept be an excuse for no research and no action. This also unfortunately happens far too often. The point is doing what it takes to find out for yourself, and then:
Get in the game! Take action, move, do it! Remember if nothing changes, nothing changes. You will only get some runs on the board if you get out in the middle and swing the bat. If your research is done well with your questions answered, you set a solid plan and you move forward, chances are some good results will come your way sometime soon. It is also an opportunity to learn as you go which is where a lot of learning happens in business, and in fact needs to happen. If you knew everything at the start you would be an expert! Unfortunately this happens too often as well! Learning as you go allows for real life experience, learning of lessons, building of self reliance, improvement of your interpersonal skills and the delivery of win/win results. You may decide after doing your research to do nothing because it is the best course of action. Excellent! This decision is at least very solid because of the research behind it. You will be sure it is the right decision.
There is no substitute for getting in the game in anything and we all tend to do it when we are ready for a challenge. It takes challenge to grow and it takes bravery to take on challenges. Bravery is an important possession of successful business owners and it can be yours too.
So if you are facing some important issues or confusing but important information, will you be brave and get in the game?