Another growing season is about to begin. For many of us, the sight of new plants emerging from the soil after a long winter instills within us a renewed hope. Whether the plants springing forth will grow into feed for our animals, grain to be shipped around the world or vegetables and flowers for consumption and enjoyment, they are each the result of warmth and the right blend of nutrients.

Successful farmers understand that care is essential for each small seed to establish itself in its environment, send down roots and take in nutrients to achieve what it was created to become. Because the end result always looks different than the original seed, it can be said that there is greatness in each seed – and that greatness needs to be nurtured along the way.

I see this same concept applying to people. It’s my belief that every person is filled with seeds of greatness and there is purpose and destiny within every single life. As is true with the plants we grow, we must be sure to provide care and nutrients to the seeds of greatness in ourselves and others. Encouraging those tiny seeds through challenges and positioning them for successes along the way is up to each of us. This work should be among our greatest purposes in life.

As we continue to grow and mature, we increase the value of the wisdom, experiences and common sense we’ve gained over our lifetime when we share them with others. We should view those seeds of greatness with a humble respect for the gifts we have received and how they influence our future – to treat them with arrogance or pride is to devalue their currency.

A critical component to maximizing the benefit of this seed is a commitment to lifelong learning – regularly challenging ourselves to improve, broaden our perspectives and be our best selves. However, that can be overwhelming in today’s fast-paced world when just keeping up with the daily to-do list can be a struggle. Answering the questions, “Who? Why? and How?” determines which person’s seeds of greatness are in focus, the reasons why that person wants to grow and develop, and how they will go about their learning journey.

Let’s drill down a little further. Starting with “Who?” is key because we can only truly buy in to our personal development if we understand the impact on ourselves. A commitment to lifelong learning starts with each of us recognizing the importance and making it a priority.

The second component, “Why?” is just as important – if not more so. Simon Sinek’s famous TED talk and book, Start with Why, dives deep into the concept that great leaders and organizations inspire action by clearly defining their purpose and values. Establishing our own why for our individual learning journeys should be driven by our values and the behaviors that are necessary to reach our full potential.

I believe that if we could somehow catch a vision of the fullness of every person’s potential, we would be absolutely blown away by the possibilities that lie before us. If we truly believe our maximum potential can be reached, it should light a fire in us and make us hungry to learn, grow and nurture those seeds of greatness we all possess.

Finally, determine the “How?”. When someone is fueled by purpose and passion, doors begin to open. If we expect to learn and grow each and every day, we’ll be looking for those opportunities around every corner. From a practical point of view, learning sessions can be tailored to fit our schedules and financial budgets while maintaining other important family and business priorities.

Personally speaking, books are the foundation of my learning. I love how they provide the ability to learn and grow and see into the hearts of people I’ll never meet, including those who have been gone from the planet for millennia. I encourage everyone to read new books and have a mini library of books you can read over and over. One that I re-read regularly is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. My copy is worn and highlighted with lots of notes.

Take advantage of training sessions and seminars in whatever formats are available to you. Sometimes an in-person training program is the best fit; other times a webinar or short video is more suitable. It’s also important to have mentors in the areas that will influence your goals the most. Find someone who is successful and connect with them to learn from their achievements and setbacks.

One final note: Be prepared to capture ideas and questions anytime, anywhere. I try to carry a notebook with me and have also started to use the Notes app on my phone when I come across a new idea in a conversation, an article or on the radio.

Building a learning culture

Most commonly, a culture of learning starts at the top. If you want family members or employees to achieve their full potential through lifelong learning, the leader needs to set the example first. Providing books for your team members, investing in training programs, encouraging networking between peers and sharing resources with them can inspire them on their own learning journey.

When we look for opportunities to learn, we are sharing the benefits with everyone in our lives. We can touch someone’s life every day but must first grow ourselves to have the experience and knowledge to be helpful to someone else.

Hank Wagner owns a 950-cow dairy farm in northeastern Wisconsin with his family. A John Maxwell-certified speaker, trainer and coach, Wagner has authored the books Teachable Moments and Simple Miracles. He formed Wagner Leadership Training to help individuals, families, organizations and businesses be their best. He has also been awarded the Professional Dairy Producers Dean Strauss Leadership Award – an honor bestowed on an individual recognized as an example of selfless leadership. 

This column is contributed by Professional Dairy Producers (PDP), the nation’s largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind. PDP focuses on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.