I’m very concerned about the 2017 crop year. There’s not much margin for error in our finances. I’m hesitant to make decisions around crop plans and rented ground. I feel paralyzed. I don’t want to make bad decisions or put us in a worse position. What should I do? — L.M., Ohio

It’s true that no matter what business you’re in, there will always be uncertainty about the future. Many farmers are asking similar questions to yours right now. You’re taking the right steps to deal with this “paralysis” you’ve identified.

As you think about your business approach to 2017, look at the big picture. Ask yourself: Why do I farm? (Photo: chas53/Thinkstock)

As you think about your business approach to 2017, look at the big picture. Ask yourself: Why do I farm? What are we trying to create in our operation? What do we want our farm to be like in 10 to 20 years? What really matters? Taking a big-picture view of your purpose in farming helps keep current challenges in perspective.

Next, it’s good to want to be diligent about how you’re approaching decision-making. It’s impossible to predict the future, but you still want to be smart about having a process.

Consider and evaluate your decision in light of a few different factors. What do we know right now? What don’t we know? How might each decision affect the operation? How might it affect the people in the operation? If we do this, what are the possible consequences? If we don’t, what are the potential consequences?

Managing uncertainty well isn’t about making perfect predictions or knowing how the future will play out. It’s about making decisions to the best of your ability, in light of where your operation is headed.

Give yourself some leeway, knowing that you’re not going to make every decision perfectly. But you can work diligently to improve your process.

If you later feel that the results of your decision were wrong, you need to look back and agree that based on what you knew at the time, you still feel good about how you made the decision. That’s how you know you have a good process in place — and it’s the key to managing uncertainty better.

Frye is president and CEO of Water Street Solutions. [email protected]