Last weekend was Father’s Day. In a year when I’ve had many close friends lose parents, I’ve been especially cognizant of and grateful for the Mother’s and Father’s Day holidays this year.

In my dad’s card, I listed some of the lessons he and my mom have taught me. As I was reflecting on that list, I realized the incredible impact those lessons have had on my life and our business.

4 Life Lessons from the Farm

Managing a business is not easy. I’m often wondering if there was a class I should have taken in college that would help me solve some of the challenges we encounter here at 9 Clouds.

I may not always know the “right” answer right off the bat, but many of the life lessons my parents have taught me help me come to a solution.

Those lessons include but are not limited to:

1. Hard work pays off.
2. Treat others as you want to be treated.
3. Don’t burn bridges.
4. Do the right thing even if no one is looking or will know.

1. Hard Work Pays Off

As a former farm kid, I’ve got hard work in my blood — and I am beyond grateful for that. In my teenage years, I may not have been the most cheery farm labor, but now I’m so glad we spent most Saturday mornings moving cows.

For Father’s Day, my dad and I spent the day putting up an electric fence and moving Powder River gates. On a Sunday and on “his” holiday, my dad was working.

You do what you’ve got to do when you’ve got to do it. In the end, your work will pay off.

2. Treat Others as You Want to Be Treated

It’s the golden rule and pretty self-explanatory. Throughout the years, I’ve seen both my parents treat people more positively than people have treated them in return.

The golden rule applies to both life and business. If you expect something from others, you better be meeting that same expectation.

This can be difficult to do in negative situations, but you’ve got to model the behavior you want to see in others.   

3. Don’t Burn Bridges

I believe this one gets said out loud the most at 9 Clouds.

“You can catch more flies with honey” is another adage that would apply here.

I grew up in a very small town where everyone knows everyone. Needless to say, you should not burn a bridge in that environment. Even if you end a relationship with someone, it’s inevitable that you will see them again, so you better end it with grace and respect.

In the digital marketing industry, we work with a lot of partners and clients. As time goes on, relationships will end, and the way we end those relationships is critical.

It’s a small world. The likelihood that you’ll encounter someone again in your life is high. I learned from my parents to make sure you end those relationships as positively as possible, even if the other party isn’t doing the same.

4. Do the Right Thing Even if No One Is Looking

We have to live with ourselves. We never get to escape our own minds and conscience. You may be able to take shortcuts for some short-term gains, but they’ll only result in some long-term trouble.

You run into this a lot in farming. You’re often doing things on your own, and there is literally no one looking. But it is inevitable that that fence you didn’t fix like you should eventually become the scene of a cow escape.

We don’t cut corners when working on the farm, and we shouldn’t in life either.

Fix the fence like you should. Complete the tasks in your life to your fullest ability. In those situations where “no one will ever know,” you will know, and those situations will likely become the scene of future trouble.

Your Parents Weren’t All Wrong

I know this post was filled with a lot of cliches, but if you take away anything, reflect on the lessons you learned growing up and how you’re applying them today.

You might be surprised what those Saturday morning chores have taught you. 

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