Green Acres is the place to be, farm living is the life for me.
Remember that jingle from the TV series Green Acres? No? Google it. If you do, then you know this was cheesy sitcom about a city slicker and his wife who gave up the city to live on a farm and the results were always hilarious. Maybe you have heard the phrase this post is named after. It is pretty simple that when no one is watching the farm, the farm gets raided. The hen house will be raided by chicken hawks, weasels, and foxes. The pigs, cattle, and other livestock neglected will become starved. The crops will suffer and die. The phrase, "Who's watching the farm," basically is one that points to someone has to be in charge and be the leader. When there is no leadership on the farm or in your organization, chaos breaks outs.
[callout]I want to give you six leadership keys that you need to implement to keep the farm from being unguarded. These keys assume you have a plan and the vision is defined and you know what work must be done.[/callout]
GET GOING
On a farm the work begins early and there is no time for getting a late start on what needs to be done. As a leader you must never wait. You can never do the job by just sitting at the table.
KEEP MOVING
This is the principle of momentum. Once you get going, it is easier to move forward. On a farm, the cows won’t feed themselves and the hay won’t bale itself. Your pretty mission/vision statement on your wall won’t amount to a hill of beans if you don’t get moving on it’s action points.
GET READY
You might think this should be the first principle, but I am talking about the things that will be coming your way once you get get going and are moving. Get ready for successes and failures. Get ready for problems and solutions. Get ready for work and relaxation. We must be prepared for all circumstances.
GET FOCUSED
What is it you want to accomplish today? This week? The next year? If you have no target you will miss it every time. If there is no score, you will never know if you won. If there are no goals, you will not accomplish much.
GET ENERGIZED
Being a farmer takes lots of work which expends lots of energy. If you are not energized and excited about what you are doing, you may need to refocus or reboot what you are doing to get energized. If that doesn't work, it might be that you need to find another avenue where you would be better utilized. There should be a bounce in your step because you love what you are called to do.
NEVER QUIT
Without discipline, one is sure to fail. Discipline yourself to move forward and never give up. There are a few people out there who hope you do fail, but there are many, many more who are cheering you on. It is your responsibility to lead by example and never quit!
