Today's Trials Prepare Us for Tomorrow

I have a strong admiration for certain people I have known in my life who have overcome various hardships and hurdles. Most likely, you also know people like this. Think back on those people whose determination to go on has inspired you. The man or woman whose spouse was tragically taken too soon who overcame a lot of obstacles to finish raising their kids well. The neighbor who fought cancer and never lost their smile or their grateful attitude. The Sunday School teacher whose passion and love for children was unmatched even though she could never have children of her own. The soldier severely crippled in battle who never let their injuries stop them from pursuing their life’s dreams.

Life can be treacherous and seem unfair. Financial, health or relationship issues can bog us down. Today, our culture often implies we deserve to have an easy life, but that does not serve us well. For it is in the challenges and trials of life where we grow

stronger and more resilient. It is through difficulties and failures where we learn the most valuable lessons. It is when we put our faith in God and depend upon Him in our weakness that we find our true strength and confidence.

What does the trajectory of your life look like? Where have you been? Where are you going? Are you feeling sorry for yourself or have you determined to go forth and make the most of each day? Take time to read “Stronger Than Yesterday” elsewhere in this newsletter and let it encourage you to step up to the challenges you may now or soon be facing.

Resilience
It’s one of the secrets to survival, both professionally and personally. It’s what’s gotten you to where you are, and it’s what will help define who you will become. Looking back at some of the toughest situations you’ve endured, you may have felt there was no other choice. It was a natural instinct. And while it’s true that resilience can come innately, it’s also a learned skill. Instead of leaving resilience up to chance, considering strengthening those muscles by choice. How can we lead a more resilient life, and lead a more resilient team, in the year to come?

A Core of Confidence
Everyone has an inner critic. Who do you compare yourself to, and why?
Although comparison can create competition and competition can fuel achievement, it’s a balancing act. While constructive criticism can deter certain behaviors in the short-term, positive reinforcement is generally better for shaping new and lasting behavior. It’s also at the core of creating confidence. As a leader, recognize that criticism doesn’t increase competency. You are simply sharing what not to do, instead of what to do. Imagine a child learning how to ride a bicycle. Which environment shapes a more confident future cyclist: pointing out each time they fell down, or pointing out what they did to stay up? Confidence increases productivity and causes you to choose more challenging tasks, which make you stand out amongst your peers. You naturally create a more cohesive workplace environment; confident people celebrate the accomplishments of others as opposed to insecure individuals who try to steal the spotlight and criticize others in order to prove their worth. Speaking first and often (a sign of high self-esteem) makes others perceive you as a leader. In fact, over-confident people are more likely to be promoted than those who have actually accomplished more. The fact that successful people tend to be delusional isn’t as bad as it sounds; our belief in our own eminence is what gives us confidence. Even though we are not as good as we believe we are, this confidence actually helps us become more than we would have otherwise.

Do you have the grit to not give up and stay true to the course, no matter how difficult it may be? Are you competitive and possess a strong sales mentality where every “no” is just one step closer to a “yes”?

If so, and you have a passion for connecting with and helping people, plus a strong agricultural industry background in agronomy, grain, or other areas, please contact Dave Allen. We would enjoy having a discussion with you about how a recruiting career may be a great fit for you.

Founded in 1995, AGRI-SEARCH is a professional recruiting firm providing clients with customized recruiting solutions in various niches within the agricultural industry. Our success results from our industry focus, our specialized approach to recruiting, and our staff's lifelong roots in, dedication to, and vast understanding and knowledge of the agricultural industry.

At AGRI-SEARCH, our mission states that we “are committed to serving the agricultural industry with integrity, passion and excellence by assisting our candidates to reach their career goals and helping our client companies build successful teams.”