Prioritizing efficiency and productivity has never been more essential. Mindset is not the first thing that comes to mind for many farmers when they think about how to improve these things, but it should be. Maintaining your energy levels, prioritizing important tasks and creating a system for accomplishing goals that works for you are three ways to fine-tune your mindset and develop a more positive outlook.

Social interactions are on the list of ways to beat chronic stress. Your social network helps provide space, perspective and emotional support. Humans need humans, just as cows need cows. Togetherall is a global network of peers, backed by licensed clinicians, designed to provide a nationwide safety net of confidential and on-demand support to farmers, ranchers and their families.

As little kids growing up on the farm, we are always taught to stay busy. My dad used to tell us that if it was light outside, we should be outside doing something. Then, as we became adults working on the farm, we were told to have a plan. “Don’t get so caught up in the farm that you forget to focus on the farm,” they would say.

I grew up on an 80-cow Holstein dairy family farm cropping corn, alfalfa, soybeans and wheat in eastern Iowa. I am putting the animal science (2005) and DVM (2009) degrees I earned at Iowa State to good use by focusing on the basics of cattle husbandry.

Since its arrival three years ago in Twin Falls, the Jae Foundation has built a footing from the ground up to preach the importance of affirming mental health. And by ground up, that goal starts straight from the boots.

In the hectic world of dairy, we all know there’s only so much bandwidth for saying “yes” in a day. And it seems like the opportunities never end – a new organization to volunteer for, a new task that needs to be completed, and so on and so on.

I’ve heard from several dairy farmers that they don’t know how much longer they can hold on. I’ve watched families struggle to keep a dream alive at the demise of the family. And I’ve seen individuals suffer because they didn’t think there was life after dairy farming. Now seems like the right time to illustrate a story of a dairy family who overcame greater challenges than most of us will ever face.

Now, halfway through reading The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst, I’m finding myself on a personal journey that is reminding me to be patient and intentional with my time, my choices, and myself.