“Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no matter how frightening of difficult, a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity, but with it you can accomplish miracles.”
-Og Mandino, author and speaker

That quote says so much to me as a person trying to accomplish a daily living on the farm.

There are so many challenges ahead of each one of us today. I can’t look at my e-mail without some sad news of another dairy farm selling out or the doom and gloom of low prices, high inputs and zippo cash flow.

It’s difficult to begin a day with so much weight on your shoulders. But if we are going to survive in this industry or, for that matter, any industry today, we have to have enthusiasm for our livelihood.
Think about that first statement: “Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm.” If that’s true, then enthusiasm is required for our daily living on the farm. There isn’t a day without some kind of challenge popping up, and we need to be ready to face it with vim and vigor. We cannot roll over and die.
Yes, this is so much easier said than done, but it starts with what’s going through your mind and follows through with what comes out of your mouth – and that determines your actions. If in your mind you dwell on negative thoughts and borrow trouble, then your words and actions will follow.

Why would you take this risk? Why not think positively?

Just yesterday I told a dairy nutritionist of an instance where I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. No, there were no lightening bolts, no heavenly voices singing over me and I wasn’t floating around on a cloud. It was just a flash of hope that consumed me from my head to my toes that everything was going to be okay.
That is a thought I need to dwell upon. When I run the positive track through my mind, the negative is derailed. When my positive side starts to speak up, then my actions become constructive and I have new life to dig in and work harder. When this happens, ideas start to flow, solutions become clear and we have new life.

When we think negatively all the time there is nothing but depression, discouragement and derailment. You can’t live enthusiastically or in victory with the three “Ds” hanging around. Getting rid of defeat is just one positive thought away.
In the long run, keep what’s important in life in clear focus. Keep your mind above the fray. Keep your actions moving forward with enthusiasm and just watch your situation turn around.

Don’t live in mediocrity – live in victory!

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.