Control the Controllables

“Turn off Fox News, turn off AM radio, stop yelling at the weather, focus on what you can control!” said Dr. Steve Johnson, extension specialist from Iowa State University, at a conference for Corn Growers put on by Wyffels Hybrids. One of his main themes was to “Control the Controllables.” He was talking about how there is so much going on in the world and with their farms that they cannot control, and they need to acknowledge that. Instead, he encouraged them all to focus on the things that they could control, and then to become masters of them.

While I do very much appreciate the root of his thoughts in relation to farming, and can certainly relate them to our farm back home, I think that everyone could apply this simple mindset to at least some parts of their lives. It really is a great piece of advice in my opinion. Although, I think that this could be interpreted to mean you should be a hermit and shut yourself off from the world, which is a little extreme. I think his point is more that you should focus and spend your time thinking about things that you can control. I think we all need to be aware of what is going on in the news, and contrary to Dr. Johnson I do think we need to pay attention to, and participate in politics, but at the same time, not get too caught up in it.

I know that I, all too many times, get very caught up in a lot of things that I literally have zero control of. I get frustrated with things that I will never understand, and in the end all it turns out to be is wasted energy. I still don’t understand, and it still doesn’t make sense. Now, if I had nothing to do, and nothing else I could focus on to improve myself then there would be no harm in any of this. That simply is not the case however. There are plenty of things that are well within my control that I can focus to improve and understand.

Bonus: There was something else said at that conference that for some reason struck my attention. One speaker was talking about forming business partnerships and being ethical and honest in business dealings. He said, “Make sure you aren’t going to end up having to hire your Paul Bearers.” It kind of sets you back at first, but it really is a simple message. It doesn’t matter what possessions, or how much money you have when all is said and done. You never see a U-Haul being pulled behind the hearse. There is no reason to sacrifice friendships and the respect of people over a stupid business deal or a few bucks here and there. As I have said before, do things the right way and to the best of your ability, and good things will happen.