#MondayMotivation Here is something farmers know all about. When you farm, there are mouths to feed and weather to beat, and you only get to stop when you are done! Then and only then, it’s time to stop & rest. Then start it all again!
If someone was looking for a role model on how to be successful in life, I couldn’t find a better picture of; motivation, relentless determination, persistence, resiliency and self-sacrifice than a farmer.
The entrepreneurial crowd could spend a day or two on the farm and then they would know the meaning of hustle.
Your grateful fan,
Tracy
Cheers to all the hardworking farmers out there including my husband! Even though the 97% take their easily accessible, affordable and safe food supply for granted…those that know, we thank you!
It’s Sunday and I am feeling a little raw. Raw is my way of saying emotional.
This week, we aired Gerry Friesen’s episode about his journey with stress, anxiety and depression with farming. It was soooo well received by our audience getting comments, shares and being watched/listened to more in the first couple days than some episodes get after being live for a month or more.
What does this mean to me? First off, I am happy that we picked a message that is impacting and adding value to our audience. Mental health is a huge concern in the agriculture community! Secondly, I am happy that Gerry has been able to share his tough journey and use it to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Third, as a publisher this episode has done well to broaden our reach with farmers. This is what we want.
Now, I sit here and I reflect. The success of the episode makes me happy, however, it also makes me sad in equal parts. The fact that one of our most popular episodes is on mental health goes to show you how big the problem is.
Personally and professionally, I know so many people that have mental health concerns and it breaks my heart! Why? Really, why does this have to be a thing? I wish on the stars above that this could just go away. They say 1 in 3 people will suffer from mental healths concerns at some point in their lives. That is so sad that 1/3 of our population suffers.
I immediately want to fix it! Sometimes I think I am “like a man” with my desire to fix things. I now know enough to know, that I cannot fix the problems of others. I realize it but it’s frustrating though! Why can’t I wave a wand and take everyone’s problens away?
I know that all I can do is listen and encourage others as needed. All I can do is try and be a light in a world that needs it! When I remember this and rise out of my self focused day to day life, I realize how important it is for me to show up for others. I need to look up from my well worn day to day path and see the need in others. Truthfully it’s often written right there on their face if you look deep enough. I remember, that I need to reach out to congratulate and pat others on the back. As a business owner and show host, no one pats me on the back. I know that I need to self pat! Everyone is so self focused. I understand that so many people are busy with their heads down trying to make ends meet and make it through challenging life situations. I slowly start to realize that no one appoints you as that person, you just need to put your hand up, own that role and start championing others. So many people need a champion and I need to be that! I have the good fortune, personality, influence and platform to do it.
As I rise and fall on this journey, I give myself Grace. I realize it’s hard to stay centered when I have my own day to day business and life concerns. I often slip back into my bubble and re-emerge when life bops me on the head with a reminder of those that need me. I muster up my grit and rise again. I notice the fact that each time I rise up, I Rise up yet another step higher towards becoming that person that I want to be. That is something worth celebrating indeed!
Today, I received two bops on the head and that is likely why I am feeling so raw. My Dad ended up in the hospital for heart concerns this evening and the second bop was someone sharing how much they are struggling. The bops reminded me of how I was putting work at the top of my priority pinnacle as always and letting myself off the hook on being the best daughter and friend that I could be, all because I am a busy business person. I don’t buy it. There are plenty busier and more important people that give way more to others than I do.
It reminds me that “I cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”
So that being said, I give myself Grace today, and starting tomorrow, I muster up my grit to become an even better; wife, daughter, daughter in law, sister, niece, cousin, friend and boss.
If I could send a message to Gary Vaynerchuk today, it would be as follows below. The anniversary reference is in jest, however, the sentiment and thought behind this is 100% true. I owe a lot to Gary and his content. Here is my letter to Gary….
Dear Gary,
Happy 1st Anniversary! One year ago today, my husband sat me down in front of his mac that had one of your videos playing on YouTube. I had heard of you, however, as you so openly admit, I caught you at the wrong time and you never clicked for me. Sorry…so embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t “guruship” at first sight. It took a few straight hours of devouring your content before that happened. Stay with me. I promise there is a happy ending!
I was skeptical, however, Anthony was adamant and excited by your videos and what you had to say. I had noticed a MASSIVE change in him and I was curious to know more. If someone got Anthony that excited, I would listen. Anthony was not at all a motivational video guy, so this surprised me. I was beyond curious who and what had changed him so dramatically. So I listened. I listened and listened and your message started to excite me. I devoured your wisdom and I quickly started to change. In a World of self-help gurus, that tell everyone what they want to hear, in order to sell their wares…you were an absolute breath of fresh air. Those hours on January 12, 2017th turned into days and those days turned into months of taking in your content. I was changed forever and I was on fire.
I wrote a complete post here on my new blog that I started over Christmas holidays. It summarizes 2018, my year of massive action, and talks about how you have completely changed my life. You can read that post here. This life changing year is all because of you Gary. Thank you!
In case you are wondering why my blog is only just started….I have been so busy with work hustle, and launching my audio and video show “The Impact Farming Show” that I am only now starting my personal blog. I have a whole other post about my inspiration and goals for my blog. You can find that here. My goals for this blog, in short, are for it to; mirror my social media accounts, to house my personal brand, and most importantly, to document my amazing life. I am loving this blogging. I am so fortunate to have such an amazing life so why wouldn’t I want to document it for no other reason except to show my gratitude?
This has been one of the most phenomenal years of my life and I owe it all to your content. Thank you, Gary! It is for this reason that I am celebrating my anniversary with you. Yes, my husband knows. I proudly announced that it was me and Gary’s anniversary today. He laughed. I have joked like this numerous times this year because you have had such an amazing impact on my life. Don’t worry, he doesn’t care, you have completely changed his life as well. If he could write you an anniversary post, he would!
It was SO great meeting you this spring at the Haste & Hustle conference in Toronto. You signed my book, took a selfie with me and kindly listened to my questions and concerns about the effects that programmatic advertising is having on digital media publishers. One of my media platforms has been hit hard. You mentioned that you were starting Vayner Mentor for this reason but it wouldn’t be cheap. I said that I don’t care, as this was my livelihood. I was so pumped to go. I am very embarrassed to admit, that I didn’t think it was going to be that much. I thought more around 4D’s cost. Regardless, my apologies. My business was hit hard in 2017 due to bad staffing choices and changing advertising trend, so I had to tighten up the purse strings and invest those dollars in other areas. I will make it to 4D’s one day! I will!
This time last year, I was buzzing with the excitement of having found your no-nonsense, practical, truthful and life-changing content that morning. Today, one year later, I am buzzing with the excitement from the impact that my 2018 hustle has created. The show that I created is having such an IMPACT Gary. It’s amazing! More importantly, I am so excited about the future!
Again, as explained in that post that I linked to earlier, I was no slouch before. I was just about “there” in my game. You just got my head where it needed to be as a digital publisher in the year 2018. I needed your message. You got me to #youdoyou and not feel guilty or broken for my absolute passion and obsession with work! For not being like other “women.” 80% of the time I didn’t care about that, however, that 20% was a ball and chain holding me back. My first Gary Vee meme I that framed and put up in my house was “There’s nothing like the beginning of building a fucking monster.” That was how I felt one year ago today.
I know you hear this over and over, and are likely immuned to it already, however, THANK YOU from the bottom of my eternally grateful heart! You have changed my life more than you will ever know!
If there is ever a way that I can repay you, please let me know!
We have received such tremendous support and positive feedback, from both farmers and non farmers alike, on Gerry’s episode. Thank you everyone!
So many people are affected or know individuals that are affected by mental health challenges. Gerry’s message is great for those struggling or those that would like to have a better understanding of a mental health journey! In this episode, Gerry shares his journey with anxiety, stress and depression while farming.
Interested? You can tune in here https://www.farmmarketer.com/Resources/ResourceItem?resourceItemId=99