“Things didn’t go as I thought they would and now we are really under the hammer!”
Farmers often ask what to do when this happens. Let’s face it, we all focus on certain outcomes and would like them to work out, but there will always be times when they don’t. It is a very common situation because we don’t have 100% information or control about what is going to happen in the future.
However, we are not powerless to change our success rate just because this will always happen. In fact, unexpected outcomes are an opportunity to increase our chances of success. What do I mean? Read on.
The sooner we accept that temporary defeats are opportunities in disguise, we can use those situations to our advantage i.e. accept it and then find out how to capitalise on it. You can’t change what just happened but you can choose what you do about it or how you react to it. You have the choice to open up the possibilities or shut them down.
Review what happened and why so you can work on finding out the cause of the outcome. Confront the brutal facts – there is no other way to put it. It might be hard to stomach especially if you made a simple mistake, but you must take the lesson. If not, the chances are high you will do it again, causing the same old habit and results to occur. Nailing down the cause allows you to modify your behaviour or thinking through awareness and action. You didn’t want that outcome and you never want to have it happen again right? It really depends on how badly you want a different outcome!
Next, think through and if necessary revise your forecasts. Is the next profit period still available as planned based on what just happened? You need to keep making profit whether you have taken a hit or not so you just have to know this. Whether or not the next opportunity is the same or different, define it and re-run scenarios. Don’t lose focus or you will likely miss the next opportunity too.
Ensure you set up for that next opportunity no matter what. It could be the original opportunity or it could be a revised one. Either way you must prepare by working to stay ahead of the game. Set up for the next opportunity by making the most from what is left of the current period. Use your GrowFARM Season Planner to aim for your target pasture quantity and quality for the next profit period.
Formulate plans A, B and C (and D and E if need be) for future opportunities. Having a plan for various eventualities means that next time you will be ready to go. It helps to ensure that whatever happens you have a great chance of making successful decisions. Success is really all about increasing your chances of success through solid preparation.
Above all, act! React early and get on with it after a decision is made.
The point is to look for the opportunities in everything you do. They often come disguised but if you search hard enough for the answers, you will find them. Your life and business will be much better for it.