When you think about your career as a farmer, there are parts of the job that seem to come more naturally for you. You absolutely love those aspects of farming. They make you feel more passionate and alive.

As you’re doing those activities, have you ever noticed that time seems to fly by – to really ‘flow’? You might not even be aware of the hours passing by because you’re so engaged in the experience. In that case, work doesn’t feel like work at all – in fact, it’s more like play.

Being drawn so strongly toward what we like to do might even lead us to neglect other important parts of our farm business. The problem certainly demands a careful balancing act on the farm leader’s part.

The hardest thing
Here are a couple questions for you:

Sometimes it can be good to work through duties that we don’t particularly enjoy. Every job on the planet probably includes some aspect we wouldn’t like. We can also get satisfaction from our dedication and commitment to succeed in a difficult or tedious task, if we’re clear on why we’re doing it.

Your reactions
I believe some of you may have answered the questions above in this way: paperwork and the ‘office season’. Winter weather lends itself more toward business and book work, and farmers react to that in a few different ways, depending on their personality.

You might thrive on experiencing the growing season, interacting with employees, and working outside. The fun is in getting to grow the crop – and wowing the neighbors in the process! When office work must be done, time suddenly drags on and life is more boring.

Other farmers may welcome the office time. They might really like digging into the numbers and getting the ‘who, what, when, where and how’ of next year’s plans set up. They want time to build their understanding and to create a structure they think will bring about success in the upcoming year.

Or a farmer may commit to getting the best possible plan in place for the future, one that really represents their values and will allow them to persevere toward that vision. Their belief in themselves and their operation leads them to invest the time it takes to create a clear plan, even if they might not be drawn to the activities of planning and office work.

Invest in yourself
What are your thoughts and perspectives on what you find to be the toughest parts of what you do? Which seasons or times of year do you like most? Dislike? Why do you believe that’s the case?

One way to invest in yourself and your operation is to capitalize on your strengths. You might work with an advisor or team of advisors in aspects of your farm business where you believe you can take things to the next level. Alternatively, consider working with advisors in the areas of your business where you have a tougher time getting into that state of ‘flow.’

Read the new midwinter issue of the Smart Series publication, bringing business ideas for today’s farm leader. This issue includes perspectives on what to do when a landlord asks for higher rent, how to find the right new employee, a farm business checklist for the spring season, and more. Get your free online issue here.

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