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"The Worry Jar"™
by Jolene Brown, Farmer and Professional Speaker, West Branch, IA
for Successful
Farming Magazine
What shall we worry about tonight? Weather, markets, economy, equipment, livestock, crops, bills, employees, future,
past, health, debt, kids, in-laws, marriage, death. Take your pick.
I've grown to realize that every farmer has a problem, is a problem, or has to live
or work with a problem. It's this daily pile up of problems which turns to worries.
This accumulation of worries has a big effect on our health, relationships
and profitability. Dr. Charles Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic says,
"I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many who died from worry and doubt."
So, how do we deal with the daily worries? I'm suggesting you get a worry jar.
Mine happens to be an old chipped and cracked cookie jar that used to belong to Grandma Great.
I discovered this treasure as I helped her sort through belongings in the retirement home.
Inside were random scraps of Paper. Most had phrases written on them, some just one word.
But each contained a "worry" that had been bothering her. Here's how it works. When you
find yourself unable to correct a problem or if you are consumed by doubts and
fears, write down that worry. Drop it into the jar. Continue doing what you must do.
Then, once a year dump out the worry jar. Grandma Great said, "You know, after ninety-three
years of living I've learned, I've had many worries and fears in my life, very few of which
have ever come true." She was a wise woman.
Perhaps you've heard the saying: Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do,
but gets you nowhere. So, what can you do when the rocking chair worries have you immobilized?
Write down your fear, then ask:
What's the worst that can happen if this fear comes true?
Is the fear something that has happened in the past? Can I change something now that
will affect the past or the future?
For example: "The farm should have been willed to me. After all no one else in the family even cared
about this place till dad died."
Reducing expectations when assets "disappear" is tough to handle.
Options? Check your buy sell; negotiate with heirs.
Are you worried about something over which you feel you have no control? Are you sure you have
no control over it?
For example: "These low prices will force me into bankruptcy."
Options? diversify, niche market, reduce expenses, off farm income, risk management
tools, etc.
Can you make a change to alleviate this worry?
For example: "The stress level gets so high during peak harvest season,
I know someone will have an accident."
Options?
Define the outcome you'd rather have (positive goal) and steps to
make it happen.
Write out the risks and pros and cons of the new outcome
Prepare yourself - build a support network of family, friends and advisors
Begin - You can't just wish away your fears. It takes positive action. Doing is so much
better than drifting
Evaluate - you may need to change directions or identify more fears
Celebrate your victories - dump out the worry jar and celebrate all those mountains
you've climbed
And there's one more thing Grandma Great taught me. She said, "When the darkness closes in at night, just turn your
worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway."
E-mail your question about your worries to
Jolene@JoleneBrown.com
I'd also like to hear what you're most worried about and how you cope with the daily pile up
of worries.
© Copyright 2001 Jolene Brown. All articles belong to Jolene Brown, but you are free to
reprint or repost them providing that you note Jolene's copyright, leave the article
unaltered, and include Jolene's phone number 319-643-2429 and email address
Jolene@JoleneBrown.com.
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Jolene Brown, CSP
1636 Eureka Ave.
West Branch, IA 52358
319-643-2429
319-643-5541 fax
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