Farmer on Fire Podcast: Recent Episodes
Andy Schreck
Farming & Ranching is the most challenging, difficult, and uncertain industry in the world today. The majority of farmers are battling this fight alone while the stories dictate every move they make, feeling as if they are trapped with no way out.
Join your host, Andy Schreck, a 3rd generation farmer from Minnesota that went into debt $600k at 19 in attempt to carry on the family farm but was met with volatile grain and livestock prices, weather problems, and several poor financial decisions.
Farmer on Fire is a community of committed farmers and ranchers seeking direction and guidance through a proven training system that is build on one solid element....THE TRUTH.
In today's special episode, we are joined by a special guest Joshua Borowski from a farming community in Australia.
Joshua has also experienced the painful realities of being the next generation farmer working alongside your dad and the frustration that this causes that affects all domains of your life.
The reality is, that when you don't acknowledge there is a problem, it is very hard to find a solution.
Join us in our conversation today as we take a deep dive into the reality of being a Farmers Son in today's agriculture community.
When everything is failing and falling apart around you, it is very hard to believe that anything good can come out of this.
However, that is exactly what is happening.
That darkness and feeling of being all alone is when God is working through you the most.
The simplest thing you can do is at all times remind yourself to trust in the process no matter how you feel.
Because the truth is, when you endure to the end, you will win.
It is very easy to get lost when there is no hope and there is no light.
The problem is that you dwell on the areas in your life that are dark and that seem to have zero fruit.
We get lost and we seem to not be able to get ourselves out of it. Sound familiar?
The thing to consider is that God is still working in the dark when it seems like there is no way out. You must believe that there is something good that is going to come out of your situation and to remain hopeful.
Don't forget. God is with you in the dark.
It could very well be that he is preparing you for something different and is removing something in your life that will no longer serve you in the future.
Today I take a deep dive into my story and talk about the real problems and challenges I faced after being buried in nearly $600,000 at age 19.
There is a massive pit many farmers and ranchers feel when they are operating their farm operations and the hard truth is, we aren't opening up about what is affecting us. If you were like me, you found a way to sedate with either alcohol, porn, or social media to take your mind off the current reality of your life.
The problem with this is that it leads you to a terrible place of isolation and guilt. It is time for the next generation of farmers to rise from their pits and enter into a land of prosperity.
Certainty is a hot topic in today's environment and the question I want to ask you is where are you getting your conviction?
Are you looking to your wife for answers? Or are you focused on grain prices to solve the problem that exists inside of your life?
There is a deeper pain and a deeper problem that is caused by you putting your trust and faith into things that bear zero fruit.
There is only one place for you to find your conviction and certainty and if you are left without it, you will find yourself stuck in a dark place for a long time.
If you are listening to this and you are a farmer or rancher who is a man, then this message is for you.
There is a calling that awaits the men who enter the gates of Farmer on Fire and a path that leads to a true transformation that leads to freedom.
The question is whether or not you act on that calling. The majority of men will remain idle and stuck their entire life falling victim to their situation and not doing anything about it.
You have a responsibility as a man to lead your family and once you accept this, you walk a path majority of men are not willing to do.
The majority of men struggle with taking a stand for themselves and what they truly desire.
In small-town communities, we struggle with the fear of standing out and find ourselves trying to 'fight in' by playing small and avoiding taking the actions that would get us the results we are seeking.
It is time for you to stop playing small and face the fear that has been holding you back for years.
The generational pain that gets passed down in family farms is real. Whether it is emotional pain, relational pain, or financial pain.
However, there is a decision that you get to make on how you deal with it. By walking in the fire, facing the pit and truly looking in the fire, you free yourself from the pain.
There is a path that is possible for you once you submit yourself to be transformed and let the healing begin.
The hardest and most challenging times we face in life are the times when we are tested the most. The question we get to ask ourselves is will I endure this process or will I quit?
The majority of men will quit because of the pain they are going through. What if that pain you are experiencing right now was the one thing that needs to happen to grow and expand you as a person?
What if you began to see your experience as the fire that is needed to forge you into the man God is creating you to be?
Where are you right now in your world that is causing you the most pain?
It could be a business failure, uncertainty in your marriage, or market prices that you just can't seem to understand and it is draining your energy.
We will face trials and hard times in our lives. It is guaranteed and there is no way you can get around that.
Realizing this fact allows you space to focus on what really matters which is what you focus your energy on. When you control things you have no control over, you find yourself in a spiral of continual exhaustion, blame, and guessing.
Through all of this pain and trials is an endurance that creates Light. The only thing you must do is not quit. It is guaranteed that one day things will be revealed. However, it just won't be on your timeline and your planning.
There is no doubt greed is taking over our industry and the world around us.
Everyone is talking about the highest cash rent while at the end of the day it drains your energy both in your business and in your home.
You need to be investigating daily where you are inputting your energy and staying away from things that steal your focus.
If your game plan is to focus on only farming more acres to have more, there will be a pain and discontentment that will breed angry, resentment, and frustration to those around you.
Instead of a mindset of "having it all", what could be possible if you investigated what you currently have and making the most of what has been given to you?
When you understand the order of your household, there is fruit that begins to multiply.
The problem with the majority of households today is the confusion and distractions that prevent you from turning and drawing closer to God. This is the work of the enemy and his whole objective.
Becoming the Head of your Household means you turning to God and drawing your certainty and power from him instead of other men or even your wife.
The majority of farmers today are putting their trust in market prices, their land, or that new piece of equipment that is going to make them feel better. This is idolatry and it sows choas and greed into your life if you do not begin to turn away from it.
The more you can express and feel how you truly are feeling will lead you to a place of liberation. The problem is, society has taught and trained you as a man to suppress and bury them.
This leaves you feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone at the end of the day because you cannot communicate how you are truly feeling. We learn different ways to deal with our feelings like distancing ourself from others, isolating, or sedating with a substance to numb how we truly feel.
When you learn how to deal with your emotions, there is a window of opportunity that presents itself because you are willing to lean into what you want by pressing forward and not stuck in an emotional loop.
It is important for you to understand how the enemy works in your life.
The reality is, every single human on this earth is going to be under some sort of spiritual attack on a daily basis and it has one mission. To keep you away from God.
It wants you to doubt, take away your certainty, and keep you stuck in the same struggles with that you deal with on a day to day basis. And the enemy is very good at this.
"You deserve this. Just one drink won't hurt...you've had a long day" is the enemy's way of keeping you from following God's Will in your life. You must be a sniper being ready to attack and identify where the doubt is creeping in you life.
All of the pain you currently have inside of your life right now is meant to awaken you to the path and journey that is in front of you.
When you stop and listen to the direction you are being pulled, there is a massive amount of peace, certainty, and confidence that comes with that.
Knowing that it is God who is leading your life taking you exactly where He is wanting to take you.
Any foundation not built on the rock will not stand the testing of trials.
There is no tractor, land, or dollar amount that will fill the void that you have in your gut.
Nothing you build will last long term until you find the rock foundation.
If your trust is in other men or material objects, it’s only a matter of time before they betray you.
Don’t build one sand. Find the rock
If you’ve been given a talent or a skill, there is a duty for you to act on it.
What kind of an impact would you have if you viewed your abilities as a gift to serve others?
There is a stewardship possible for each person when you begin to understand the responsibility we have to deliver our talents.
The problem is that we deny our talents and get stuck in the mental loop of doubt and inaction.
What will the cost be when you decide to advance forward with a mindset around initiating conflicts.The possibility for you may be a marriage that is shifts the way you two communicate and find a result of increase intimacy.A collision with your team member or father may resolve an issue that has been breeding anger and resentment making you bitter that now has peace and clarity.By addressing and choosing to step into the arena, you find yourself with new opportunities and possibilities that you never though would have been there before.
There is a cost to you not leading and it is not just a financial cost. You are choosing not be obedient to what is being asked and called upon you.The longer you avoid this, the more painful it is going to become. We think we are in control of our lives which is not true.God is the only source true source of life and the longer we try to play his role, the longer you are going to remain stuck, frustrated, and lost.
Stop playing it small and living in a container that leaves you trapped, frustrated, and irritated.
To do this, you are going to have to shatter your frame.
You are going to have to lay it all on the line and be willing to do what is being called in your life and remain obedient to the commands.
Expect to have massive breakthroughs and revelations the more frames you are willing to break.
If you find yourself in a position feel stuck or frustrated, you have to realize that often times there is a pivot that is required.Doing what is required at the end of the day is a must for you to get where you want to go.Sometimes, building your own thing and walking away is the best move you can make for your family and future.This will take courage and heart but be prepared to endure a process that will truly transform you.
As you are out in the field harvesting the crop this fall, there are thousands of thoughts going on in your mind."Will I make it to next year, will my equipment hold together, comparing yourself your neighbors operation, the yield isn't quite there" are just some of the stories that go as you sit in the cab throughout the day.You worry, you doubt, and you begin to find yourself questioning why you are going throught it. Consider the fact that God is with you and that He already is leading you to where he is wanting you to go.The problem is that we want to control how it is going to happen. Let go of the control and submit to God's perfect plan.
Are you listening to negative people in your life? Chances are, you have someone or a multitude of people in your world who are victims that bring your energy down.Just being surrounded by them makes you feel depleted. You need to analyze who these people are and investigate why you have these relationships and what is holding you to them.The hard truth is, you have to see that you are choosing to be in them and are not walking away and doing your own thing.
When you start seeking truth, you find the truth. When you seek lies, you find lies. The problem is we've are dellusional in our seeking. We seek after things that are not good for us. You get stuck in this trap and pretty soon you find yourself at the bottom of a pit completely lost and without any guidance. Most men will stay stuck here the rest of their lives. Few will feel the tug that pulls them into a direction and a path that leads to life. Are you being pulled towards life?
Removing the lies inside of your life can be extremely challenging. We all face pain in our lives and darkness that consumes our thoughts on a day to day basis. When you understand how you think, you become less reactive.The problem with most farmers today is that we are so reactive to current situations in our lives. Whether it's market prices, trying to understand our finances, or our relationship with our family, if you don't take action to solve these problems that it's only a matter of time before you burn out and decide to quit.
There is no change, there is only shifts.When you can identify where in your life or business you need to shift, then you can begin removing the obstacles in the way to get your desired result.The same way of thinking that created your problem is NOT the way of thinking to get you out of it.You must recognize the need to look at your situation differently than the way you did before.
When you cling ot the identity and passion of the farm, it most certaintly be a thing that can fuel you. However, when certain situations do not go your own and you feel like you are being led astray or being taken advantage of, it can become extremely frustrating. Family partnerships and businesses can end up in severe hurt, confusion and frustrating that ends up dividing a family rather than bringing it to unity.
Chaos can either fuel your or burn you to the ground.The problem is that you don't know how to deal with it in your life.You end up getting frustrated at the people you love most and this ends up causing massive guilt and shame in your life.When you can identify what is causing the most amount of pain in your life, only then can you begin to take the steps to resolve these problems with a clear mind.You can change the way you think. The problem is, you've never been shown how.
When you are faced with trials, you must open your mind to the realtiy of the pain that you are currently in. When you stop taking the responsibility for your life and you give it over to God, then he can truly take over and make the commitment inside of your life to follow His will. You must commit to what is in front of you even if it doesn't align with your desires. Trust that God has a purpose for your life and he wants you to surrender it. He will make it as painful as he needs it to be for you to see what is in front you so you are no longer blind.
The harder the trials require the most intensive investigation. When you are in the darkest moments of your life, it requires your faith and endurance at the peak of your ability. Never surrender to work. You must do this on a daily basis and always commit to doing the work. The truth is never easy but once you see if for as it is, then you can go into the depths of who you really are and get out of it. Surrender to the process and commit to action.
Never underestimate the power that comes from the daily commitment to yourself. When you focus on the truth of your life you will be met with resistence. But when you focus on the negative you will find yourself stuck in a continual loop over and over again of negative stories and negative feedback. Once you get out of it, then you are free. You must be committed to taking the action on a daily basis.
When you hide and cover yourself in lies, you push yourself further and further from the truth. It becomes very challenging to take any practical action because you are blinded to what is in front of you. The cost this has in your business isn't just financial. It's a marriage that comes crumbling down, a body that turns to sedation, and a disconnection from God that leaves you listening and beliving man instead of His guidance. Pretty soon you find yourself at the bottom of the pit starting all over again. Stop this from happening by taking action and start the investigational process in your life now.
One of the biggest lie I told myself growing up was that I wasn't good enough. Because I led with this story, I began to walk this path of making decisions that left me feeling small and playing small. When you are trapped in your stories you cannot see clearly. Once you finally begin to understand how you think and what is holding you back, then you can finally see clearly enough to take the action you know you must take. The majority of people today are stuck in lies and stuck without the truth that is preventing them from moving forward.
When you don't have someone asking you the really hard questions, don't expect to get very far. You need to have someone challening your current way of thinking if you ever want to grow upon the ideas you have inside of your mind. This means setting aside your ego and being willing to investigate where you are strugging and what you need help with. On the other side of the Power of Questions is an unlimited resource of revelations and possibilities.
It's very hard for farmers and ranchers to ask for help. Especially when it comes to the bank, understanding their numbers, tax planning, entity structure, or asset protection. Putting the crop in the ground and managing it is what we are good at. There is a massive gap between the farm and the business side and it's time to close that gap. The problem is that you don't know where to turn to get the help you need to be successful. That is the mission we are on in this community of other farmers and ranchers who understand each others pain.
When you know your business isn't profitable, you will begin to hide the truth to avoid any uncomfortable feelings. The problem is, this can occur for years and although you may sneak by for awhile, time eventually catches up. When I started my farm operation in the bottom of the ag economy, I lied and hid my numbers because I didn't want to know the truth. This left me in a constant panic and anxiety stricken roller coaster ride that left me frozen. It wasn't until I exposed everything to myself and my banker that I finally had a foundation to build something solid on.
When you do others wrong, don’t be surprises when troubles come your way. Using other people for your own advantage and your benefit has a massive cost in the end. The problem is, you can’t run or hide from it. The more you hurt people to get what you want, you’ll go really far early on but then the time comes. God’s judgement doesn’t miss anyone.
Working with family on the farm is the hardest aspect of operating a family farm. When there is mistreatment and shame that is being thrown around with family members it can create an extremely difficult situation where you feel trapped. You feel like you cannot make a move for your own benefit so you settle for a life that is going to leave you with shame, guilt, and anxiety. You pass this on to your kids and your spouse. Until you are willing to walk away and build your own thing, you are always going to be tied to this abuse and neglect.
There will be many times in your life when you have a ton of anger and resentment that you are carrying around.The problem is, this is painful and is causing uneccesary trouble in your life. The facts are, at one point, someone has done you wrong or you've abanoned someone, but eventually you'll need to work through this and let it go.If you don't forgive, be prepared to spend the rest of your live in bitterness, anger, and pain
Every trial we go through always has a purpose. No matter how painful the experience is, there is always a gift on the other side. The problem is, we often cannot see through it and we will give up. When you chose to take a stand and submit and trust the process, you'll find the reason why you were required to endure the pain.
When we play this game of trying to play the role of God, we end up self-deceived.We keep thinking that we are 'good' when the truth is, we haven't come to terms with the bad things we have done in our life. When you keep telling yourself you're 'good enough', you find yourself in a very dangerous situation. You have to check yourself otherwise you are going to be worshipping yourself and everyone around you is going to suffer.
So many people will tell you that you need to be 'strong' in order to be successful.The truth is, you are operating from a place that is controlled by your ego running the show. When you decide to lead from your weakness, then you are able to acknowledge and address what you need to work on in your life. It's not strength that is going to allow you to previal, but your weakness.
When you do not communicate problems, challenges, and triggers that are occurring in your family farm, you find yourself really stuck and confused.You are going to have to speak up and communicate these problems which will be uncomfortable, but absolutely necessary. When it comes to the financial side, pretending everything is good when it is not leaves family members pointing fingers at each and resentment builds leading to a blowout one day that can have lasting impacts on your farm.Take the initiative and step into the leadership role and have the really difficult conversations that are going to lead to transformation.
When you think that you have the authority over God in your life, you are deceived.There is nothing you can do to change the history that He already has laid out ahead of you. But for some reason, we think we still are in control and have all the answers.This is the biggest lie you tell yourself. The more you try to control the narrative, the more frustrated, irritated, and stagnant you are going to become.
There is so much you are missing when you realize that you keep throwing yourself to situations that leave you feeling empty.When you do not realize your own worth, you will find yourself throwing yourself to things that are not good for you.This could be a bad relationship, drinking, porn, or some sort of thing that will hurt you over and over and over again.It damages your self-worth and you end up walking a path leads to death. Once you understand your value, you will no longer find yourself in these situations.Don't be surprised to lose family and friends in this process. This the cost and price to walking this path.
On your journey you will encounter many times and trials where you will be led to upset set others.Majority of people are people pleasers. However, when you are on 'the path', know that this is an essential part to your growth that you'll have to overcome.When you trust the path you've been shown, there is a requirement of you to do what is required. If you continue to hold on to what is comfortable, be prepared to have a very difficult and challenging life.Be prepared to walk a path of Faith and Endurance trusting not in your own understanding.
When problems do not get solved, they tend to have a compound effect in all areas of your life.The question becomes, how do I solve my problems?The problem is most farmers and ranchers are not clear on what the real problem is. They think they know what it is, but the truth is they do not have a clear path on the actions required to accomplish their goals.You have to be willing to look at your business problems from a different angle removing all emotions from the equation and look at your business from a different perspective.
We think we have all the answers and want to know immediately what the outcome is going to be in our lives.Unfortunately, this leads to chaos and confusion because you and I both know that we are not in control of our lives.When God is at the center and you operate from this place, there is power and peace that will exist in your heart.We cannot do this on our own and we need God to help us through every stage in our life.
There are two ways of thinking. One is profitable and the other leads to frustration, confusion, and burnout.
When you operate in abundance, you will do whatever is required no matter how difficult and challenging is. You face the storm head-on.
When you are in scarcity, you backpedal and live in fear and panic. You don't feel safe and you end up turning to something to sedate the pain.
I want to have you consider what it would look like in your life right now if you made a decision to ATTACK the problems and challenges in your life instead of living in quiet desperation.
Time for you to rise, my friend.
You are up against thousands of obstacles on a daily basis in your farm operation
.From managing your family, team members, crop scouting, and following grain prices. You have hundreds of decisions to make throughout the day.
The problem is, you don't have a way to challenge your thoughts and emotions. You are making countless emotional decisions that end up costing you more in the long run.
When you slow down and get to the facts, making decisions becomes a weapon in your toolbox that nobody else around you has.
When you are this man, nobody around you can compete with you.
When you don't face the problems inside of your farm operation, the pain and struggle just begin to multiply.
The hard truth is, you are believing lies and avoiding the truth because it is painful.
However, the longer you avoid the truth the more damage it is going to do to your life and you will inevitably one day burn it all to the ground or end up being completely miserable.
When you make a decision to no longer put up the bullcrap and decide that you are going to go to war, you will come to the realization that there are going to be things that you are going to have to walk away from.
The question is, do you have the courage to do so?
Do you value yourself and your time? Or do you act helpless and hopeless waiting for someone to come and save you?When the next generation comes back to the farm, do you have a clear game plan on how you are going to pass it on, or do you live in fantasy land thinking they are going to wait around for you to give them an answer?So many farmers are burnt out and resent their parents because of the lack of communication that goes on in their farm operations.Then, all that anger gets dumped onto the people they are closest with. Stop living in this prison and start speaking the truth.When you commit to stop lying, your world will never be the same.
Most farm family dynamics are an absolute shit show. And I mean that most truthfully.The problem is, everyone wants to bury the truth and pretend like everything is perfect when the reality is, it's a mess.I'm not just talking about the business side. I'm talking about the personal side. Where everyone is afraid of speaking the truth and stepping up for what they know is right.You will 100% piss some people off in your life but if you aren't willing to do that, don't expect to get very far.The more bullcrap you tolerate, the more miserable you are going to be.
When you ignore the small fires in life, they only multiply.
The problem is oftentimes you are unaware of how to solve the problem. The only way you have been taught how to deal with it is to ignore it or sedate it.
This leads to massive chaos and uncertainty in your life and it is only a matter of time before you quit.
When you step into the fire, tell the truth about where you are currently at, then you can build your foundation are begin taking action that will only lead to profits.
We all want to paint the perfect idea in our minds that we are in a "good place" but the reality is, there is some massive pain and struggle we are not facing.Whether it's in the relationship with your parents, a partnership that isn't working and needs to dissolve, or your body that is overweight and you literally have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.This pain is a compounding effect on everything you do and you keep hiding from the truth preventing you from ever getting any results.I kept lying in my farm operation and wasn't willing to face the facts until I got myself so far in the hole financially, I had no choice but to sell.When you stop hiding and face the facts, you can finally build on solid ground. Until then, you are just a man who is going to be destroyed when the first wave comes.
When you do not fully commit yourself, you leave a part of yourself vulnerable to negative consequences.The majority of men are "half-assing" getting little to no results in their life and are on the edge of burnout and quitting.When a man decides to go all in, no matter the costs, there is a burning desire that nothing can come in the way of.You will experience pain, frustration, loss, and failure. But you see those as just learning opportunities that will make you even stronger long term.It's a choice a man has to make. Once you go all in, there is no stopping you.
Most men live in quiet desperation "hoping" that things will magically work out in their lives one day.
The truth is, you are avoiding something that you do not want to confront. And you know exactly what that is.
It could be the realization of a failing business, a relationship that has to end, or problems in your marriage that keep coming up time and time again.
One way or another, you are not leading.
You tell yourself that "tomorrow" I will begin working out. I will confront my wife tomorrow.
When deep down, you know for a fact that is a lie.
What will the cost be in your life if you keep hiding from the Truth?
What will happen when you finally FACE the pain in your life?
You're frustrated because you aren't getting the results you want.
Your burning out, irritated, frustrated, and just had enough on your family farm.
The problem is, there is a good chance you are stuck inside your identity as a farmer.
What do I mean by this? You cannot imagine or comprehend what life looks like outside of the daily grind of running tractors and feeding cows.
The truth is, this is causing friction in your marriage, in your mindset, and in your business. Because you are living in a cage that you have not opened up yet.
Break free of the stories in your mind and begin to set your farm on FIRE!
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One thing I learned about being in debt $600k at 19 was how I used my age as leverage to "not take responsibility".I felt "noble" walking this path because nobody around my age was doing what I was doing, which put pride on my shoulders.The problem was that I never felt the weight of this until I began to experience the financial reality of my operation.What I was missing was the TRUTH. I'd been living a lie and just hoping and praying that things were going to get better without me having to take any action.I was living a lie.I was spending all of my time helping other people with their problems instead of taking a stand for myself and doing what I needed to do for myself.Until you stop the bullshit stories and take control of your own life and operation, you are going to be in a Pit for the rest of your life.
There are two places in your mind in which you exist.
The first is a place known as Reality. This is where you are in Truth and can see the Facts about your current reality.
You feel the painful consequences of past decisions, your bank account, your marriage relationship, or an overweight body that only seems to be fading away.
Unfortunately, most people do not spend the majority of their time in this place. Instead, they find themselves in a place called Fantasy Land.
This is where you like to hang out because you don't have to face the painful truth about your current situation.
Whether it's a relationship you have to end, confronting your banker and your numbers or realizing how much of a father you haven't been for your kids.
There's an opportunity for you to investigate the Truth. The only other option is for you to keep hiding and to keep telling yourself everything is "good".
Many family farms are stagnant because of the hard truth that nobody is willing to take a stand for the facts.Difficult conversations and collisions are a must if you want to continue the operation into the next generation.Being "the one" is going to mean that you will be the one who gets criticized, judged, and even rejected because you are finally bringing Truth into the farm operation.Once you accomplish this role, respect and leadership blaze the path for generations to come.
Everything about you changes when you fight like your world depends on it.To get to this place, you are going to have to get a place inside of yourself that is willing to do whatever is required.When you make this decision, there is going to be a process you will have to go through to get the results you are looking for.The Problem? The majority of people will QUIT because they cannot see it through.And the moments when you want to quit, you'll find out who and what you are really fighting for. For those who see it through, there is a hefty reward.
How many times on your Journey have you felt like you were headed in the wrong direction?It may be uncertainty in your farm operation, making a hiring mistake, or it may even be that things going sideways inside of your marriage.The Truth is, even if it feels like you are lost, you are still headed in the right direction.It is because God is focused on building character inside of you that is going to later serve a purpose in your life.If it wasn't for the trials and the pain, you would never be required to walk into the fire and there would be no lesson for you to see at the end of it.
The first phase a man has to enter is his "Awakening" phase.What. I mean by this is that if a man ever wants to truly be successful long term, he is first going to have to enter a Pit of Darkness.As men, we have been taught, trained, and educated to bury our feelings and emotions and label it as a "noble" gesture.When the truth is, the people it hurts the most is your family. You neglect your wife's needs, your children's needs, and you end up isolating yourself because you don't know how to deal with this problem.When you enter through this gate of reality and are willing to investigate the truth, it's only a matter of time before production and profits inside your farm operation begin to occur.
I jumped into CrossFit roughly 2 years ago after a mentor recommended it to me as a suggestion to help take me to the next level.It requires me to challenge my mindset by increasing tension and pressure in my body to complete moving weight as quickly and effectively as possible.Without the existence of pain or suffering, there is never going to be any growth involved. Where in your world do you need to get uncomfortable and do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone?
The most intense and challenging times in your life will require you to think differently.Whether it's a financial pit, a marriage burning to the ground, or a farm operation that is stagnant and not making any money, you find yourself in the fire.A place where it is pure hell. But, there is a decision to make and an opportunity to make a change.The question is, do you have the courage and heart to endure the process of transformation?When you submit yourself to the process, don't expect it to be easy. Expect to change you for the rest of your life.
Working with family is one of the most challenging aspects of the family farm.It's an almost unavoidable dynamic that sometimes makes you question whether or not it will be worth sticking around for.Nothing will ever change until you understand and learn how to collaborate and resolve conflict.It took several difficult conversations with my dad to truly build a meaningful relationship that had a positive impact on the farm and our personal lives.Many family farms are going to struggle until they dissolve the problems inside of their personal relationships and until they do, they possibility of losing the family farm is great.
When you say you have a problem inside your business, you really mean you lack power.What I mean by this is that you lack the clarity of the problem.There is a good chance that if you have issues with your team members, you also have problems inside your marriage.To solve this problem, you are going to have to investigate by first looking at yourself and recognizing the patterns and behaviors that are leading to the negative result.Once you have clarity and a strategy in place, everything (including profits) has a chance to bring in massive results.
To truly understand the impact and weight of running a business, you must have a period of time of trials and pain.This is the problem for many kids coming back to the farm is that they think they deserve to have instant access to all assets and they never have to truly work for it.The problem is that no conversations are being had and zero conflict resolution and the resentment and anger start to build up over time.One day there will be a blow-up and everything you've worked for generations will come crashing down.
I'm going to challenge you in this episode to consider a new possibility inside your life.What would it look like if you began to operate in a way that focused more energy on being respected rather than liked?You see, most people who want to be liked end up living miserable, half-assed, and tolerating a ton of bull crap.When you stand firm and commit yourself to changing how you see the world, everything around you begins to change. All that is required is that you trust the process.
When someone says they are going to do something and they don't end up following through on it, there is an immediate feeling of distrust.Often times we find ourselves in situations where we are operating on another person's words instead of focusing on their actions and motives. When you stand firm and can identify what it is you want in your life, then you are able to divide with truth and follow your own path that is going to guide you where God has called you to go.
There are only 2 options when we are faced with difficult situations.Face them head-on and walk through the fire. Or allow the pressure and challenges to overcome you and quit.The painful reality is that there are going to be extremely difficult things you are going to have to overcome inside of Trials that is going to test your ability to stand strong.You're going to be met with anger, frustration, guilt, and shame of things in the past, who you've been, and who you are going to have to become to walk through.If you stand firm, trust the process, and never quit, the only possible outcome is far better than where you are at today.
For so long, I have always wanted to do "my own thing" because it gave me a sense of power and purpose. So I thought.I realized that it was a self-serving agenda where I never considered what it would do to those around me.Until the Truth was revealed that to truly serve and follow God, I would have to deny myself. This meant putting aside my own personal agenda and asking God to lead me instead.The hard truth is that the majority of farmers and rancher will one day lose their farm operations because of the inability to make difficult decisions that goes against "their purpose".What if you considered in your life all the areas that are not working as a possibility that God is wanting you to trust Him instead and take a different path?
Making decisions is a constant reality inside of your farm and personal life.However, the majority of people do not trust themselves to make and would rather not make them at all.Not only does this leave you frustrated, but the problem tends to stack on top of one another until there is a blowout or burnout.I want to have you consider that by you stepping up and having the courage and willingness to make decisions and take the heat, your life will become so much better in the long run.
There is a darkness that comes in getting to the Truth.The problem is, the majority of people are NOT willing to go to that place. Instead, you sell out in a land of comfort instead of doing what you know you must do.Your marriage begins to deteriorate, your body turns to food for comfort, and you sedate the pain with a 6-pack every night (or more).What would it look like for you to search that darkness only to find the light? That once you have found that light, you are finally set free and are living the life you always knew could be possible.
Change is hard and Change is scary. The majority of people in their lives are not willing to do what is required to better their lives.This couldn't be more true in the farm industry today. You feel like you can't make any moves or do anything different and you feel hostage inside your operation.Your marriage is falling apart, your bank account is dried up, and you are frozen in fear. There are going to be times when you are going to be required to look at the facts and be willing to take the hard action to make the impact you know is possible.
Have you considered that it is your environment that is leading to the current results inside of your life?You may be in a situation that is extremely negative toward your production but. you are terrified of what could happen if you would change it or confront the problem.But consider the possibility of what it would look like for you to make the moves you know you are needing to make inside of your life to better your family and your future.By you taking a stand, you are no longer tolerating the bullcrap in your life.
The problem is the problem when we fail to acknowledge its existence and significance. Ignoring or downplaying problems only prolongs their impact and hinders progress. By recognizing and addressing the problem head-on, we can actively seek solutions and make meaningful changes, leading to growth and improvement.
In the world we live in today, fighting is a requirement if you want to take a stand."Fitting in" now means staying quiet, don't speak up, and don't go after the things you are wanting.The same is true in your farm operation.Settling for less and taking a ride in the passenger seat is the quickest way to death. Will you step up and fight?
Distractions are all around us but the problem is, what are you doing to prevent you from being distracted?Social media and smartphones make it all the easier to spend time on things that really don't matter.What is it costing your family, your body, and your profitability by not removing distractions?Your family and business need you to step up and make the moves you know you must make.
What could your life look like a year from now if you started to make more mistakes? What kind of lessons could you learn if you changed the way you looked at mistakes?The truth is, the more action you take, the more mistakes are going to happen. However, what could be possible if you considered those mistakes a gift?The person who is willing to step into the fire and face adversity is the one who will always be willing to do what is required and will win each time.
There are times in your operation when you feel so stuck and uncertain in your direction that you begin to live in doubt and fear on a daily basis.This is when you stop taking action. The moment you stop taking action is when doubt has taken over your life.There is a power and a force much greater than us that when we submit to it, there is an abundance that is undeniable that will transform your business, your relationships, and ultimately your production.
We often find ourselves playing this game where we think we are playing "all in" when the reality is you are half committed.It's easy to hold onto what is comfortable and for many farmers, they will NEVER make a change they know they need to because of fear.What could be possible if you took the jump that is right in front of you and saw it as God waiting for you to submit to what He is calling you?
There is no doubt working with family on our farming operation is one of the greatest challenges you face.From different opinions to different perspectives, everyone has their own idea of how the business should run which leads to frustration and separation of families.However, we are not addressing the root issue which is taking action to solve the relationship problem.There are going to be times when the best option for you is to collide with that person, speak the truth, and be willing to step away from the operation.Oftentimes, there is a gift waiting at the end of that conversation.
The majority of us have this belief system engrained in us that tells a story that "we can be trusted".You are surrounded by people who are wanting your Trust but have not yet taken the steps to truly establish a foundation that can be built on their "claims" to be Trusted.Because the reality is, Trust is an ACTION. It means doing the things you said you were going to do.If you want to truly have someone's Trust, you are going to have to PROVE that you are capable of being Trusted.
There are those who are wanting to play a big game and take the steps to make it happen, and then there are those who talk a big game but have nothing to show for it.Your words may sound big, but your results will display the truth at the end of the day.Stop hiding and start doing things you said you were going to do.
We recently completed our taxes on our farm and after a few discoveries, there were several errors that resulted in a $30k difference.There is a massive gap that farmers experience when it comes to the back end of their operations that is costing them hundreds of thousands of dollars being thrown out the window.The problem is that we have not been educated to the degree needed to provide pushback to your accountants and bankers.Not only is knowledge a weapon, but it is also the tool needed to fight the war our operations are up against.
I have heard this over and over again in the past few weeks and exposed an important problem faced by most family farms trying to transition from generation to generation.We find it extremely difficult to actually speak the truth about how each person is feeling in the operation and often times it leaves the operation in complete chaos.There is going to have to come a time when there is going to be a pull for someone to stand up and start taking action and leading the farm. That means colliding with family and colliding with those who you are closest with. If you do not do this, the cost of the operation long could literally mean losing it all.
Kids returning back right to the family farm right after college can result in a ton of hurt if there are no expectations or requirements in place.Unfortunately, many parents are having their kids come back to the farm because they need help but can not guarantee that there will be any ownership.There must be a conversation and a structure in place. This will save years of heartache and potentially losing everything you have built because the child has no respect for what is being handed to them and will end up making several poor decisions.
Most of us are walking around carrying our problems while putting on the "mask" and pretending that everything is perfect.We hide from the truth because it is painful. Looking into the mirror often causes some form of discomfort that we are not wanting to face.However, what could be possible if you had a place to share your pain with zero judgment? What kind of path could you start walking down if you lived every single day exposing your pain and had a road map that lead you to what you wanted?
"Maybe" has become the most toxic word a person can begin to get comfortable with.When you are unclear on your answer, you will waste so much energy in this pocket of not taking any action and become very frustrated.What could be possible if you stepped into a "hell yes" or a "hell no" for your answers to you choices and how could this impact every area of your life?
When you are walking an uncertain path and cannot see what is in front of you, the most important thing to consider is to have Trust.Trust the Process. This means you are going to have to submit and walk forward even when you feel like you are blindfolded.If you don't quit and have Faith, you will receive what you never thought you could imagine.
There will be times when you need to do something for yourself that you don't want to do.The hard truth...you have to.You will have to take a stand for yourself so you can face the stories and the lies you are telling yourself. Until you face them, they won't go away and you will never grow.
When you try to run away from your problems, they always find a way to get back to you and when they do, they are often more painful.So many people want to help you when you are struggling but the truth is, that is the most significant gift you could ever give another person.Those lessons are going to impact the rest of that person's life and the fruit will be tenfold. Build the courage to let others sit in their pain so they can receive a gift.
When the center of our focus is on the opinions and thoughts of other people think of us, we are setting ourselves up for massive failure.The truth is, people are always going to judge you no matter what. Being a high-level farmer and rancher requires you to let go of what your neighbor thinks about you and to stop trying to please them.Being afraid of success is one of the top things farmers struggle with that hold us back from our true potential.
God's purpose will always win in the end. The problem is, we fight it or get disappointed when things do not go our way.What could be possible if you stopped fighting His Will and accepted the path of where he is wanting you to go?
Letting go of past disasters and mistakes is usually really difficult for us to walk through.We think of all the things that we did wrong and how we wish we could have done them differently. That weight gets carried around and it never allows us to move forward until we finally hit our breaking point.When you surrender, you finally are saying 'no more'. It's when you finally surrender that you can look at the Truth about your situation and make the decision to walk forward in Light.
Most of us growing up have been conditioned to suppress our feelings and just remain quiet.The problem is, this keeps you from speaking up and truly going after you want because of the guilt that comes with it.You feel so stuck and you just don't know what to do. It's causes you to get distant and quiet from your spouse and kids while you carry all the weight.In today's episode, discover how when you begin to look inward and find the suppress anger you've been holding onto, you can use it to take action and get after what you want.
Doing what is right is never easy, but it is a must. We have to put our pride and ego off to the side to really look at the truth and facts about the current situation we are in.Often times we want to hide and pretend like nothing has happened and in the end, there is never any fruit.We must learn to operate differently and to do what is right at the end of the day. It will be uncomfortable, but the person you will become will be able to become a true leader.
Those really painful and stressful moments in life when there is a ton of pressure end up being the most impactful.The thing is, that pressure gives you the option to fold or stand up and fight. The thing that will get you through it is to know that God is with you in those moments.We cannot win these battles alone. And if we think we can, we are lying. God will bring you to your knees to help you understand who runs the show at the end of the day.
There will be times when you fall off the wagon and feel like you are no longer able to take any action because you are so stuck.In the summer of 2017, this was the reality for me. The Truth was, I didn't know what to do next because I was trying so hard not to accept the fact that my farm operation was not going to be successful long term if something dramatic didn't change.When we avoid reality, we push ourselves further and further into a drift to the point that we no longer have the willpower to continue.This leaves your family, your marriage, and your business in total chaos and destruction.
When working with family on the farm, one of the biggest problems we face is learning how to work together.Often times we push things off to the side instead of leaning into the problem and learning how to solve it.Pretty soon, there are massive collisions and massive problems due to the fact that the issue was never resolved to begin with.
Consider that when the only option you have is to move forward, it is one of the most powerful weapons you could have.Rather than looking at this from a negative perspective, what if this was the doorway that opened to the future that was meant for you?Your greatest growth and gift you could ever receive will come at the moments when moving ahead is the only thing you can do.
Most farmers spend their days alone in a tractor cab or in the shop working on equipment.The problem most of us face is the negative stories we tell ourselves that prevent us from taking the action we know we must take.It feels like this bottomless pit that we can never get out of.What could be possible if you began to identify what is holding you back and started to find the Truth of what is really holding you back? What could you create?
Sometimes, you need to make extremely difficult decisions in your business and personal life.Almost every decision we make has an impact in one way or another. Some of them are positive, and some of them are negative.What if you began to look at those consequences as the one thing that is forging you into becoming who God is wanting to become?
When you "need" something in your life, what you are suggesting to others is that you cannot live without this one thing.Instead, what could be possible if you led your life with a "wanting" mindset that began to act towards the things you want?If it's God's Will for you to have it, we will make it happen. If not, you are just one step closer into receiving what is meant for you.
The hardest and most challenging times in our life test our faith.
Will you stumble and live in fear or will you conquer and walk through the fire and The Pit?
What you do in the hard times is a direct reflection of what you have in your heart.
Telling the Truth is one of the most challenging standards to maintain in our life.
Why is it that we find it easier to tell a lie than to stand in the truth?
What could be possible if you began to live every day more in the truth and stopped believing the lies you are telling yourself?
We often are unaware of the motives behind our actions. Especially on the farm operation, we have a mindset that is driven by trying to please our father or family instead of going after what we know we must do.
This is a problem because there will be times when you feel completely resentful for not doing what you know you want to do.
Consider what is possible for you if you began to set out and accomplished what you wanted to do rather than what everyone is wanting you to do.
We get confused in thinking we are Leading when oftentimes we are being Saviors.
It's difficult to watch and allow others to struggle but sometimes that is the one thing they need to grow as a person. It's easy to step in and think we are helping another person with their problem when giving them space to figure it out is the right thing to do.
Where in your life are you being a Savior instead of being a Leader?
As farmers and ranchers in small-town communities, we often compare and fear stepping out and building something great.
Are your neighbors truly competition? Or do you actual fear success?
What if this had nothing to do with your neighbor and everything to do with your mindset?
A simple question, yet one of the most uncomfortable places you can go to.
Waiting is a combination of desire and fear. You know you must take a specific action, but the uncertainty holds you back from following through with it.
What could be possible if you went into this investigation and identified where in your life you recognize you've been waiting and what is the one thing you can do to get you moving through this?
We think that there is a "magical" answer to all of our problems. That somehow everything is going to work out without having to do anything.
This is the biggest lie we tell ourselves. The truth is that you are going to have to go to work and there is going to be a war you will have to wage.
However, what if this war was the one thing that is going to help you grow?
The saying goes, "the first generation starts it, the second generation builds it, and the third generation loses it".
This phrase has always triggered me because we aren't talking about why the third generation is losing it. The result is decades of work being tossed out the window in a matter of a short period of time.
What could be possible if you began to look at your farm operation from the viewpoint that the next generation must be willing to earn their stripes in order to get access to what you've built.
Staying consistent in attacking problems is one of the most challenging and difficult things we go through.
It's easy to want to quit and take the easy route. In order to attack and go ofter the things you want, you are going to have to have a mindset that is willing to go to war.
Where in your life right now do you need to go to war and are you willing to pay the price?
When blame becomes the name of the game, expect there to be little to no reward in your life.
Instead of making everything about what happened to you, get off your ass and go make things happen.
A victim will lose almost every time. Where have you been showing up as a Victim and what do you need to do to course correct this?
When there are too many options, you'll end up half-assing each one and never see any long-term fruit.
What could be possible if you developed the mindset of "burning the ships" and conquered the island knowing there was no way off it?
In our small communities, there is usually a group of people who get together and like to talk crap about everyone else.
Instead of being caught up in this, what could be possible for you if you began to execute your game plan inside of your farm operation?
Most people are afraid of sticking their necks out and doing things differently because they fear what other people will think, especially in our small towns.
However, how many people could you impact if you did what nobody else was doing?
Waiting for results to show up is the most difficult, frustrating, and annoying thing we experience as business owners and farmers.
We put in all the work, plant the crop, and then have to wait 6+ months for the fruit of the harvest. When it comes to working toward achieving a desired outcome, often times it does not come right away.
What could be possible if you stayed the course regardless of any outcome and kept pushing forward?
Is failure really that bad? Why do we have such a negative relationship with this word?
What could be possible if you began to change the way you looked at failure? Some of the most impactful times in my life have occurred after not doing something right.
The thing for you to consider is what kind of person could you become if you continually stepped forward and faced failure with Courage and Endurance. Dive into your life today and think about where you could apply this lesson.
What could your life look like a year from now if you started to make more mistakes? What kind of lessons could you learn if you changed the way you looked at mistakes?
The truth is, the more action you take, the more mistakes are going to happen. However, what could be possible if you considered those mistakes a gift?
The person who is willing to step into the fire and face adversity is the one who will always be willing to do what is required and will win each time.
The most stagnant place for a person to be is in the land of "maybe". There is no progress, no action, and no results from this kind of mindset.
You'll be in the same place for years because you haven't committed to an answer. Pretty soon, you are telling yourself stories and lies about how you aren't good enough, how it's not possible, and pretty soon you find yourself with a 6-pack at the end of the night or sedating with social media.
Consider what could be possible for you if you began to make decisions with an "all in" or "all out" mindset. You may discover it will bring you closer to the Truth.
A person can only hold onto to something for so long until the pain becomes so heavy that the only option is to let go.
Inside of farming and ranching, we often find ourselves surrounded by many people or situations that are not helping us get to where we want to go. Rather, they are holding us back from actually achieving what we are set out to accomplish.
Consider the fact that by you letting go, you are actually opening up the possibility for better things to come into your life.
It's easy to say one thing and do another. Often times we find ourselves eager to have a new idea, dream about a possibility, but yet never do anything about it.
The reason it's a problem is because at the end of the day, we have to look at our current results. Just getting excited about something is not enough to see real change.
Consider the possibility if you began to tactically apply action to those ideas and let the results speak for themselves.
Often times in life we find ourselves in really dark and uncomfortable places where it feels like we are going to be stuck forever. In today's episode, we are going to be talking about this exact place known as "The Pit" and how you shift your relationship to this helpless place.
Right now you may be experiencing empty bank accounts, broken relationships, or running on empty trying to solve endless amounts of problems that don't seem to disappear.
Consider this an opportunity for you to investigate where in your life you are in "The Pit" and examining the circumstances that have you in this place today.
Like many of you from ag communities, we were raised in small towns. I found myself stuck in negative stories about the fear of failing and having everyone find out about it.
This caused a ton of financial instability in my operation because of my unwillingness to do what was required. It was until my back was fully against the wall when I finally had to start making decisions. Unfortunately, that had massive consequences.
Join your host, Andy Schreck, in this Pilot Episode of Farmer on Fire.
Andy is a 3rd Generation Farmer from a small town in west central Minnesota called Appleton. He grew up raising corn, soybeans, wheat, and cattle then came back to the family farm following college in 2015 by purchasing a 120-acre farm site leaving him $600k in debt at 19.
In this episode, you'll hear the reason as to why Farmer on Fire was created to help bring the TRUTH to farmers and ranchers who are stuck in their mental lies that leave them feeling trapped and alone.