It’s a new year. A blank slate. Another 365-day-long opportunity to get ’er done. It’s also a good time to make a resolution, or two. It could have to do with the farm, or with you, or anything else that’s important to you.
We’ve come up with a list of resolutions for 2018. It’s not comprehensive, nor is it exclusive. Or compulsory. Consider it food for thought as you launch into a new year chock full of promise and opportunity.
Each new calendar gives each of us a chance to do the things we always wanted to do, catch up on things we didn’t do last year and seek new opportunities in business and in life.
With 2018 offering all of these and more, we hereby offer for your consideration the Unofficial Capital Press List of Resolutions for 2018:
• Fix that piece of equipment you’ve been meaning to fix since the end of harvest.
• Upgrade your computer. While you’re at it, you’ll probably have to upgrade your software, too.
• Help a neighbor.
• Set up a succession plan for your farm, ranch or business. If you already have a succession plan, give it a check-up with your lawyer.
• Go over the new federal tax law with your accountant to figure out how it will impact you and your farm.
• Hug your wife (or husband) every day.
• Lose some weight.
• Tell someone what a farmer does, and why. People are curious about farming. Expect lots of questions.
• Plan a party and invite all of your neighbors. There’s no better way to get to know them.
• Set up a meeting with your accountant, banker and financial adviser to develop a financial game plan.
• Stand in the middle of a field, take a deep breath, and listen. Just listen.
• Talk about your plans with your wife (or husband) and the rest of your family.
• Take time to read something important to you. If you’ve already done that, read it again.
• Figure out how to put the internet to work for you.
• Ask yourself: What do I want to be doing in five years? Ten years? Plan accordingly.
• Get involved. Decisions are made by the people who show up.
• Count your blessings.
• Make a point to say, “Please,” “Thank you” and “I’m sorry.”
• Don’t assume you know everything.
• Do something just for fun.
• Admit your mistakes.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Try one new thing this year.
• Laugh every day.
• Don’t be afraid to cry.
• If you don’t have a hobby, find one.
• Be a mentor. Farmers who are just starting out need all the help they can get. You did.
• Contribute to a church, charity, nonprofit organization — or all of the above. If you don’t have any spare money, give them some spare time.
• Get a physical exam.
• Have your wife (or husband) get a physical, too.
• Pick one thing to change about your farm, and do it.
• Pick one thing you need to do more, and do it.
• Pick one thing you need to stop doing, and stop it.
• Tell your wife (or husband) “I love you” every day.
• Ask yourself every day: “What am I doing, and why am I doing it?”
• Never give up.
• If you haven’t already, set aside money for a rainy day.
• Learn something new every day.
• Subscribe (or renew your subscription) to the Capital Press.
• Figure out a way to save 10 minutes every day on your chores. That’s 3,650 minutes per year, or 2 1/2 days, that you will have “made.”
• Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want to read about on the front page of the newspaper.
• Help out a 4-H or FFA group.
• Do your best work all the time.
• And when you’ve finished for the day, Thank God you’re a farmer.
Source: Carl Sampson, Capital Press