Sowing seeds of success

Spring in the Midwest is a time of renewal, a time of anticipation to sow new seeds and focus on the upcoming growing season. At NexGen, we are full steam ahead, planting crops in the field and seeds in our market garden. The hours we have been busy sowing have given us time to also ponder, “What are the seeds that we are currently planting and tending to in the fertile soil of our minds?”

Our minds are magnificent gardens. They will yield whatever we plant. On a given day, we are bombarded by thousands of thoughts constantly streaming through our minds. We call this our inner dialogue. It is the conversation we have with ourselves.

When we repeatedly focus on certain thoughts, we nourish them — much like sunlight and water help plants grow — encouraging those specific ideas to take root and flourish. Whatever we nourish will grow. Self-deprecating thoughts will yield self-deprecating behaviors. Self-confident thoughts will yield confident behaviors. Thoughts of kindness and grace to ourselves and others will, in turn, deliver actions of grace, kindness and patience.

We must be mindful of the thoughts we allow to be planted. The quality of our thoughts will ultimately determine the quality of our lives. Stephen Covey says, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

The voice in our heads — or inner voice — plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts, self-perception and overall well-being. Understanding its role and importance is critical for personal growth and mental health. Paying attention to what is being “said” and recognizing its patterns can help us to identify and challenge negative and unproductive thoughts.

When a thought arises, it fires certain neural networks in the brain. These thoughts reinforce neural circuitry to create that exact reality. Recurrent negative thoughts are akin to the path that is walked by cattle through the pasture. The more the thoughts recur, the more the path is defined. Therefore, the goal is to alter recurring negative thoughts to positive — from impossible to possible or cannot do to can do. Rewire your brain to change your life. You are either programming your brain for success or more of the same. Your self-talk has the power to fuel your growth or chain you to doubt. Choose words that lift you higher.

Watch what you plant in your mind. If we aren’t mindful of what we allow into our minds — watching, reading and listening to whatever comes our way without discernment — we risk planting weeds that will eventually take over the garden of our thoughts.

This season, we pause to reflect and thoughtfully examine the sources of information that flow into our lives each day. Are we spending time on social media sites that are fueling negative thoughts of lack of worth or constant comparison? Are we watching television that constantly exemplifies negativity, violence, competition and poor morals? Are we spending time in places or with people who cultivate the type of garden we want? What could be accomplished in our personal lives or on our dairies if we find sources that provide kindness, inspiration, knowledge and self-worth?

Rather than waiting for something in the outer world to inspire and change our inner thinking, let us change our inner dialogue to create the immediate environment around us that we each desire. Use your thoughts to help move you to where you want to go. Recognize when negative self-talk creeps in and pivot to more productive and supportive thinking.

A good rule is: If you wouldn’t say the things your inner voice is telling you out loud to another friend, then it isn’t appropriate to say to yourself. Use positive self-talk to get into a mindset that creates a sense of resilience, momentum and resolve you need when challenges arise. Hang notes of specific goals, words or ideas in areas that you or your team view frequently for constant reminders that reinforce the desired neural networks you want to harvest. Visit with team members or close friends and family and ask them to help hold you accountable to the thought or seed you wish to tend to this growing season.

Tend to your most important garden. This season, try sowing and tending to a seed of positive change in either your personal life or a goal for your dairy business. Remember, seeds need constant sun and regular watering to fuel significant growth for the future harvest. Your thoughts will need regular focus and attention if you aim for a bountiful harvest in the future.

Megan Schrupp and Ellen Stenger are sisters and co-owners of both NexGen Dairy and NexGen Market in Eden Valley, Minnesota. They can be reached at [email protected].