Thursday, January 27, 2011

A Price Worth Paying


Vince Lombardi once said “Once you have established the goals you want and the price you’re willing to pay, you can ignore the minor hurts, the opponent’s pressure and temporary failures.” For the Packers and Steelers, this quote will prove to be profoundly true on February 6. The goal, which they have been working so hard to accomplish, is within their grasp. They will have to focus on the goal, the title- Super Bowl Champions!

I’m going through a time in my life where I have a lot of choices to make: should I graduate college a year early, what should I do this summer, what classes will be most beneficial to my future, what should I do with my life? Not a day goes by that I don’t think of these questions and wish I had the answers. But as I make decisions in my life and set goals for my future, this quote by Vince Lombardi is something that pushes me on when I want to give up.

The agriculture industry can take so much from this quote as well. The diverse industry of agriculture is constantly faced with challenges; whether its volatile markets, negative media attention, delayed research, etc. The fact is, we don’t always get smooth sailing, there are always going to be times when the wind is against us or when there is no wind at all. But…if we remember what our goal is, have faith and patience the wind will eventually turn and help us sail towards the finish line.

Once we set our goal, we have to have the strength to carry it out no matter what. Regardless of the score on the scoreboard, the uncertainty that sometimes comes with moving forward…none of it can stop us. Achieving our goals will cost us. It will cost us time, effort, money, sleep, comfort. But I promise you this: reaching the end zone is worth it all!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

What You Play For


If I mentioned Ernie Davis, or the 1959 NCAA Division I-A Championship team would that mean anything to you? Chances are probably not, because that was over 50 years ago. I’m not concerned that you remember Ernie Davis for setting a record of 7.8 yards per carry or being the third leading rusher in the country, more importantly I want you to remember #44 as a player who played the game with passion and dedication.

Davis was a young man with big plans and a bright future in professional football, being the number one draft pick in 1962, he was drafted to the Washington Redskins and almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns. However, Davis would never play a single minute as a Brown, because at the young age of 22 he was diagnosed with leukemia. For most such a diagnosis would probably leave us feeling frustrated and confused, but not Davis. He knew that he had achieved more success than he ever could have hoped for. In a letter to the Saturday Evening Post, Davis is quoted as saying “It's funny, most people think my life has been all about football. I've even thought that myself. But football is just a game. What matters, is what you play for.

“What matters, is what you play for.” In our everyday lives do we get up with the agenda that it’s all about me, and the 101 things that I need to get done. Or do we live a life in hopes that each day is an opportunity to help those in need. Even though Ernie Davis died over 50 years ago, his words give us insight to what it really means to live a life of purpose and find true success in whatever we do.

Sometimes we get lost in the fact that life is all about winning, and getting ahead. We hear from the time we are little “if you aren’t first, you’re last”, but I would like to go against what has been so deeply ingrained. Can we change the common definition of success? The color of the ribbon, the size of the plaque, the corner office, the number on a pay check…none of it matters if we live only for ourselves. Can we prove that as we work hard and remain dedicated to our goals we all experience success, and it’s even more rewarding when you go in knowing that regardless of what happens you have already won.

What matters, is what you play for!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Turn Up the Heat


At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 degrees water boils and can power a locomotive. One degree. One degree is all that separates normal from extraordinary. A seemingly insignificant thing, one degree. It has forever changed how I look at my own life. The idea of one degree has forever changed how I live, work, and succeed. One degree- an idea that shows me that to get what I want I have to go above and beyond what I’ve ever done before…I have to turn up the heat!

Going from normal to extraordinary takes focus, belief, perseverance, and a good attitude; it’s not easy but, believe me, it’s worth it.

Focus: Continuous effort is the key to unlocking our potential

Belief: What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve

Perseverance: Our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall

Attitude: It is the ability to open our eyes and minds where limitless wonders are discovered

The cool thing about this concept is that it applies to everyone. It applies to the stay at home mom, the farmer, the scientist, the farm broadcaster, the doctor…no one is exempt from this concept. The New Year is often about resolutions, second chances, and new opportunities. So, my challenge to you- turn up the heat! Don’t quit when the going gets tough, in fact in those instances remember that one degree separates normal from extraordinary.