Are you a chicken?

FEAR NOT, my loyal readers, chickens haven't replaced all the wisdom our growing goat herd has to offer you (spring brought us many babies). I've simply been taking notes from all my beautiful farm animals as I get to know them, their habits and what makes them unique. We call our brood of hens "THE LADIES." We do not have a rooster, nor am I really itching to have one. The ladies are running the hen house just fine these days. They even gave me a few lessons I'd like to share.

I used to believe that the only way to get ahead in my work life, home life, etc was to take on more. Certainly, if one task is good, then 400 must be better or 500 must be the best. In my brain, more was where success could be found. I mean there are sayings like "if you want to get something done, turn it over to a busy person," and "a good juggler can always juggle more." That has to mean that you say yes to everything right? WRONG!

Here is the big problem with this belief system: there really is no end. You will either stop, pass out, lose your bananas or scarier still - ALL OF THE ABOVE. To add insult to injury, I found I wasn't doing tasks I was necessarily passionate about. I was simply accepting all of which was put in front of me to fix. Like a robot, I took the task or problem and worked my Rubix cube magic until it was complete. I think more than likely it was someone else's task or homework and I gladly and blindly took on yet another "thing" to do, leaving the things that filled me with zeal and glee to wait. In the end, something had to give. I had to learn to take control.

Those of you who have read my previous articles know my history - but here is the abbreviated version:

1) Had a mid-life crisis - felt stuck and suffocated in my perfect little suburban life

2) Lost my marbles, gave away all my stuff and bought a farm

3) Collected as many farm animals as humanly possible in a 1 year time period and became a farmer in my spare time. Also took on a fixer-upper because - you know, baby steps on this whole "saying no" challenge I was about to embark on...

4) Began exploring a balanced, intentional and servant-like life and have watched its positive impact on my world unfold.

5) Now I share this newfound wisdom, the lessons that I uncover, and all the struggles that follow with you all. You're welcome. Let me do the dirty work for you (cleaning chicken coops is no joke - ew, gross).

So now you are all caught up!

What does all of this have to do with chickens, or being a chicken or having a chicken? Let me break it down. Chickens (like goats, humans, etc) are creatures of habit. I've watched and experimented with changing things up on them, watched them flounder a bit when a door is left a different way, or I put their feed in a little bit of a different place. After over a year of observation, these beautiful little starlets have revealed so much! Out of 20 chickens, there are only TWO (Karen & Gloria) who are willing to explore, love to be touched, will roost in a different hen house each night, and the like. Don't get me wrong, all the ladies are friendly, but a couple just stand out. Kinda like us. Only a few find the courage to rise to the top. These two ladies are always first to get treats, always first to find the oyster shells I have strewn about and always first to get into the safety of their house when night falls and predators start making their way through the farm. What's different about these two? I choose to believe that these two little chickens are not afraid. Not afraid to go against the rest of the flock, not afraid to say NO, not afraid to try something new and always open to engaging with people! They debunk the phrase "don't be chicken!"

Here is some farm knowledge to take away with you:

* You are in control. You must believe it, own it, write it down, sing it as a song until it is engrained in your brain. You control your actions, responses, opportunities, and path. NO ONE else owns this and when you finally feel the power of your full control, your journey begins.

* Calendar YOU first. By far this has been the smallest task that has made the BIGGEST impact on my life. I now always put family commitments on my calendar first and the rest of the obligations follow. This not only helps me take action not in just saying "family first" but DOING it. My family runs on the COZI app(if you don't have it, GET IT). I got COZI when I wanted to better organize all my family's tasks and make sure that changes were communicated quickly without a million text messages, miscommunications, etc. Whatever app or technology you want to use, the simple act of putting your personal commitments in first is so fulfilling.

* A unified vision in every aspect of your life is paramount. I will never work for a company that does not have or is not working towards building a mission or vision statement. Ever. For me, it's the foundation of understanding everything you're about to sign up for. I also believe a unified vision in your home life is equally as fundamental. Ever felt like you and your spouse were just roommates? Or that it was like Sesame Street song: "One of these kids is doing his own thing?" I've been married almost 20 years now and our core values are very much aligned. But it took a lot of work and communication. A united front in your relationships gives you strength and power. With that follows courage, confidence, and gratitude that can carry you and your significant other through just about anything.

* The Power of "NO." I don't know of two little letters that together carry such an impact. There are countless books written on overcoming objections, rejection and building courage to learn that "no" is just a word! Why is it so hard? Why do I feel personally responsible for someone else? Why does saying "no" feel like I'll have major FOMO? Why, why, why? When I stopped asking why it was so hard and instead answered to myself "WHAT is my PURPOSE?" the tables turned. The question I now ask is "is this task/project/job in line with my purpose?" If it's not, I respectfully decline or work to give that task to the appropriate person. I adore the book "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek and it's been instrumental in helping me understand what inspires me to do what I do.

* Live to serve. There isn't much to elaborate on here. I am a servant to those I work with. This doesn't mean I'm a "slave" to them or that I'm pandering to the needs of others before mine. It simply means that I seek to understand before I seek understanding from others. It also means that my purpose is to be apart of a positive solution. I'm not perfect, it's a constant battle to truly work to understand others. But when an angry customer calls or an employee is enraged about something, the servant mentality kicks in and my first response is "how can I help?" I'm a devoted philanthropist and if you aren't giving your time to charity, please find one that brings you joy and give all you can. Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

* Make the little things big. I know, we all read the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff." For me, it's the little things that add up. I'm not talking about trivial things like a dish that goes unwashed. I'm talking about those extra five minutes to listen to your husband in the morning before the chaos of the week begins. The time my teenager asks me to sit at the end of her bed at night (knowing I still have a mountain of work to do) to download on the day. Writing a handwritten thank you note for some flowers received...the little things can make a big impact. Try taking your significant other their coffee in the morning or picking up dinner so no one has to cook. Don't let those small opportunities go by without grasping at them.

* Be authentically you. Believe me when I say I've spent a good part of my life comparing myself to others. I mean, I'm a former pageant queen - quite literally on a stage to be compared to others. And yet, what I've learned is that there is only one me. So I better be a pretty good version of me, NO the BEST version of me I can. Be you people and take satisfaction in the fact that no one else can do it but you!

Happy Farming,

LJ

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