With a piece of paper split into two columns – achievements on the left and disappointments on the right – is how we kick off our annual planning meeting. Give this a try!
We spend as much time as it takes to write down every disappointment and achievement from the past year as it pertains to the farm.
At the top of the achievement column this year were those ADK canoe trips we took last summer (vacations can be tricky when you have hundreds of animals to care for!) and hiring employees.
We make a point to reflect on the wins like this first because it’s just so vitally important to celebrate the positives of this crazy farm life!
Then, with highlighters in hand, we turn our attention to the column on the right and start determining if the disappointment itself is simply a lesson learned (ORANGE) or if the solution requires research (BLUE), infrastructure (YELLOW), equipment (GREEN) or systems (PINK).
We’re always hoping, right about now, not to see too much GREEN, as the farm budget is always tight, and equipment can be pretty costly. But it turns out the color most heavily represented on the list this year is PINK!
If you’re scratching your head, wondering what I’m talking about, “systems” are principles, practices and procedures applied to specific situations to achieve a particular result. They help us make sure that things get done right.
For example, we have systems for everything from keeping the pigs’ water from freezing in the winter and tracking our work hours to publishing this very newsletter. And the truth is, we need more of them.
This exercise reminded us (once again!) that wherever there’s frustration or friction with the farm, it’s usually a sign that we need a new or improved system.
Feeling frustrated about who does the dishes, packs lunches, or makes the bed in the morning? It’s all about getting on the same page and creating and refining those systems, baby!
Our meeting went on from here – it takes a day or two to work through everything from the previous year and create the plan for the coming year.
I wanted to share this exercise with you as it’s been hugely powerful for us and might be for you, too.
Your Farmers,
Jenney & Greg
PS – Give this a try! Here’s the template we use each year during our annual planning meeting. I recommend getting some highlighters, having fun and don’t forget to do the most critical part – celebrate all your achievements first. There are plenty, I know that for sure!
PPS – It’s a FRESH PORK WEEK, which means we have fresh (never frozen) certified organic pork ready for you to pick up this week. Order ahead here!