Reflections
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than three months already since we moved to Kentucky. We have such exciting dreams for this farm, but the to-do list seems so overwhelming. We have projects great (full renovation of the farmhouse, revitalizing the pond, fixing the driveway, etc.) and small (setting up our grow light shelves, bringing the greenhouse back to life, getting the garden started, etc.) It’s a lot of fun to be in the middle of this life-changing project, but sometimes I look at our Trello board where we manage this project and wonder how we can ever pull all these things together.
Our Solution
Mike and I realize we need to step back frequently and celebrate the victories. No matter how small, these things are already on the “done list”.
- Getting the birds moved into their new coop and integrating three new pullets
- Plates and KY license + Dogs to the vet for defense against the myriad of biting pests
- Picked our travel trailer so we can move out during the full gut renovation of our farmhouse
- Took our first long weekend road trip (North Carolina high country)
- Found someone to cut my hair (who knew my city councilman was a hairstylist, too?)
- Mowed enough trails through the fields to hike the dogs over a mile every day
Briarhopper Ranch is a lifestyle, not a deadline. We literally say out loud some days: “Briarhopper Ranch isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. It will never be complete, and that’s ok.” The dream isn’t someplace or time in the future, it’s already here – we’re living it as we build it.
Your Key Takeaway
The breakthrough I want to transfer to you here is understanding that completion is a myth. If you wait for the “end” to feel successful, you’ll spend your whole life feeling behind.
1. Inventory Your “Invisible” Progress
We often only count the “Great” projects as progress.
• The Lesson: Small administrative or maintenance wins, as simple as finding a hairstylist, keep the engine running.
• Application: At the end of each week, write down three things you finished, no matter how small. Feel proud for what you’ve accomplished.
2. Celebrate Your Progress
Find time to get away, even in the middle of the chaos.
• The Lesson: You don’t need to earn rest by finishing the project; you need rest to sustain the project.
• Application: Schedule a “victory lap” (a dinner, a trip, a day off) after a specific milestone, no matter how much work remains.
3. Embrace the “Labor of Love” Mindset
If you choose your struggle, give yourself permission to enjoy it.
• The Lesson: Perspective is a choice. You can see a Trello board of stuff to do as a burden or as a map of an adventure you’re lucky to be on.
• Application: When feeling overwhelmed, ask: “If I finished everything today, what would I do tomorrow?” Usually, the answer is “find a new project,” which proves the doing is the point.
