Finding Control When Farming Feels Out of Control

Louise O’Neill –  a rural wellness expert and West Australian sheep producer- shares insights each month with Sheep Producers Australia.

Control is something we all value, and in farming there’s always something happening that’s out of our hands: the weather, fuel prices, markets, policies, or even what the neighbours are doing. It can feel overwhelming at times. That’s why I want to talk about a tool that can really help manage those stressful and overwhelming situations: the Circle of Control.

Picture a bullseye. In the middle are the things you can control: your choices, actions, attitude, and communication. The next circle is what you can influence: your team on the farm, your family, your drought planning. And on the outside are the things you can’t control: the weather, market prices, or government decisions.

When we spend too much time worrying about that outer circle, we end up exhausted and stuck.

It’s like revving the ute with the handbrake on - lots of noise, but you’re not going anywhere. Normally, when we are outside, we are focused on blaming others for what is happening instead of figuring out what WE can do to make the situation easier for us. It’s not easy to change that chain of thought, but when we shift our focus back to what we can do, things start to feel more manageable and like we are in control.

A great example is the Keep the Sheep movement. Producers couldn’t control government policy, but they did take charge of their actions and voices. Organising protests, influencing discussion, and standing together. Even without the result they wanted, they found strength in taking action, and I have spoken to many that found being part of something like KTS gave them a sense of purpose and control during a stressful and challenging period.

Life throws us uncertainty every single day and the Circle of Control reminds us that while this is inevitable, our response is always within our control and that is where our true strength lies.