Are you bombarded with tips for creating a “growth mindset” nearly every time you open social media like I am? Initially, the concept sounds great. I cannot think of anyone I know (me included) who would choose complacency over progress. However, when reality sets in, life is messy and sometimes there isn’t room in the agenda to “hustle harder.” Further to this point, if you are like me, you can think of a few people in your life (maybe you are one of them) who work hard every day just to keep up with life’s daily chores. This leads me to wonder how I can support my friends and family who feel bogged down by the status quo.
In talking with friends and family about juggling the demands of daily life – whether spent in the barn, at the office or caring for loved ones – it is evident that the pressure for self-improvement can feel unattainable. This is where I think the essence of the growth mindset message gets lost and occasionally morphs into something demotivating and even demoralizing.
Recognizing that not every message floating around the internet is for everyone, and that it is our responsibility to discern this, does not mean it is easy to move past the noise that tells you that you are not doing enough. When this feeling starts to creep in or I see my peers succumbing to this pressure, sometimes the best thing to do is to look for little ways to inch forward, slowly but surely. Helping others do this might look like inviting a friend over for dinner or offering to run an errand on their behalf – anything small that can provide some sense of relief.
Like lending a helping hand to a loved one, the articles in these pages provide a gentle guide to taking small steps toward a bigger vision. For instance, starting on page 8 with longtime contributor Elaine Froese’s article, she advocates for small shifts in personal actions that can positively affect you and your inner circle. Froese shows us how embracing empathy and personal responsibility helps improve communication among team members, fostering a positive transition process.
Turning to page 27, Taliah Danzinger suggests a nuanced approach to decision-making, acknowledging the diversity of goals and challenges facing herds today. Danzinger encourages the use of software and insight tools to tailor strategies to individual farm contexts, looking beyond productivity in favour of metrics that align with specific profitability goals.
Further emphasizing adjustments for sustained growth, Jonathan Townsend outlines how a holistic practice creates a culture of care for your cows in his article on page 42. Townsend underscores how the well-being of dairy animals is enhanced when the overall culture prioritizes their welfare at every step.
While each page of this issue holds valuable insights, it is crucial to acknowledge that trying one new idea, seizing one spare moment or taking one step forward can often be enough to achieve the progress we seek. I hope you discover at least one source of inspiration in these pages.
