Most of us have heard the old saying, “Practice makes perfect.” But the truth is, when you think of the word ‘practice’ as simply something that we’re doing each day in our life and work, there’s a different saying that we should pay more attention to: “Practice makes permanent.”

That concept calls attention to the fact that whatever we do regularly often becomes what we do habitually – building a habit. The more we practice something, the more it is likely to become part of our everyday work and life – the more it typically solidifies into something permanent. It becomes regular and normal to us, more like second nature.

Building a habit

Using the idea that “practice makes permanent” can help us be more intentional about what we choose to spend time working on each day. As farm leaders, it can lead us to make choices about what we’re going to practice doing.

If a skill is going to become more permanent in our skill set as leaders and in our farm operations, then it might as well be something that we want to improve on and aspire to include as part of our farm and skills.

What to work on

What do you want to make more permanent in your skills as a leader and in your farm operation? Here are three areas to use as a starting point.

You might also choose to work with one of our market advisors. They help farmer clients with planning and execution around marketing decisions and help keep them up to speed on the rapidly-changing grain market situation and how it impacts their operation.

Or get a free two-week trial of our marketing information service (MarketView Basic). Your free trial includes regular audio and video updates, technical analysis, recommendations and more. Learn more about our market advisor programs and offerings at www.waterstreetconsulting.com.

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of Farm Futures or Farm Progress.