All three of my daughters stared intently at the box, studying the details of the intricate photo, noting the subtle differences between a blend of shapes and vibrant colors. Considering the information that their brains had collected from the box, each one independently studied the collection of pieces on the table in front of them.
Momentarily distracted from a different task at the same table, I found myself fascinated with my children’s focus and teamwork. Decisively picking up pieces, testing them, moving them to a different location, finding the right one, and firmly pressing it into place. There was no doubt in my mind that in several hours the goal would be accomplished and the beautiful photo from the box would be recreated and displayed right there in living color on the dining room table. A completed puzzle. Each piece in its rightful place.
Well, in true Dad fashion, I had a bit of a twisted thought. What if I took the box away? What if I left those three determined young ladies alone with just the pile of pieces and no vision of what the puzzle was supposed to look like, and told them to get to work? How would that change their probability of success?
Nobody comes to the Ranching for Profit School for the touchy-feely mumbo jumbo. It is typically the grazing, economics, finance, and how to effectively tie it all together that are often the reasons I hear for attendance.
I cannot think of a single time that I have heard, “I want to zero in on our business’s purpose”. Or, “I’m hoping to have the importance of creating a shared vision for our ranch spelled out and reinforced”.
Through my work these last few years guiding students through the Ranching for Profit School, facilitating Executive Link meetings, and helping many families work through challenging situations, I have realized that far too many spend most of their time staring at their pile of puzzle pieces. Overly focused on what the next step needs to be. Trying to decide which piece is the best one and then prying it into place.
People often ask, should I sell the cows and run stockers? Might custom grazing be more profitable? What enterprise, and what activity should we focus on, based on what puzzle pieces, or opportunities, lay at our feet? Some may even be looking at pieces from a different puzzle. Very few appreciate the power of having the photo on the box to study and focus on. The business vision, that is your box!
A person, a family, a ranch business, or any business for that matter, can only be successful once they define what success looks like to them. A select few naturally see their vision, and focus so hard on it that they can’t help but achieve it. They may even accomplish this without clarifying their vision or capturing it in writing.
For the vast majority of folks, the key to success is not obsessing over the next step, it is doing the opposite and starting at the end. That’s right, to create a successful business that provides the freedom that we desire, we MUST first take the time to define that success. We MUST paint the picture on our box. And once the VISION is clear, life has a way of revealing the right pieces at the right time.
Maybe you are struggling with which piece to plug into the puzzle next. Maybe the pieces you see in front of you do not seem to belong in the puzzle you’re working on. Or maybe you have been confidently prying and poking pieces into place and you still are not confident you will be happy with the result when your puzzle is complete.
Whatever situation you may be in, we have a seat for you in an upcoming Ranching for Profit School this fall or winter. We can provide you with tools to help you define your vision and the plan to achieve it. Or, you can keep staring at your pieces and hope the next one you pick up fits.
