Webinar for growers strikes chord
Module Overview
Farmstrong Ambassador Sam Whitelock’s insights about managing pressure struck a chord with Pukekohe vegetable growers during a recent webinar.
Dean Langrell-Read (pictured), who is the marketing manager at AS Wilcox & Sons Ltd, attended the webinar because of the significant pressure workers in the crop growing industry face.
“I’m aware that people in our growing and packhouse teams continue to face significant pressures for a variety of reasons, so I was keen to see what skills I could learn to potentially assist others in our business,” he says.
In the webinar, Sam highlighted the importance of not worrying about things outside of your control.
“That’s so applicable to our industry in terms of the weather. But it does take a real shift in mindset to accept that if it’s going to pour down with rain for the next three days, there is nothing you can do about it.
“The skill is to reframe the situation in your head and instead think, what can I do with the time that’s now been freed up, rather than just complaining that we can’t get our crop out of the ground. I think consciously not stressing about things beyond your control is a very helpful skill in our industry.”
Scheduling in time off
Dean says the importance of scheduling time off or recovery time also struck a chord.
“As Sam mentioned, it impacts your performance over time [if you don’t take time off]. Things start to slip and you’re just not as onto it when you’re dealing with pressure situations,” he says.
“If you’re feeling under the pump, busy times can become tipping points. So, you’ve really got to schedule time off to recharge your batteries. Anything that boosts your mood and energy levels like catching up with family or mates helps you manage those busier periods. I think scheduling downtime months in advance when your diary’s clear is a good idea. Drop it in and make it happen.”
Dean says when he was jotting down Sam’s ideas, a lot of them sounded obvious, but then he realised they’re easy to overlook when you’re busy.
“For example, sticking to your to-do list so you have a manageable workload sounds simple, but consistently managing and prioritising work and not just reacting to the latest thing coming at you, takes discipline.
“I found myself revisiting that. It’s easy to start off a list of priority tasks and then find six months later there are tasks coming up daily, that aren’t on the list. But as Sam pointed out, once you’re feeling in charge of your schedule, your stress levels go down.”
Don’t bottle things in
Finding someone to talk to about work pressure also resonated.
“I guess the insight here is that bottling things up only adds to your stress levels. Everyone needs someone they can check in with and run how they’re feeling past. Someone you can be honest with and know they’ll be honest with you.”
He says it was great having a proven champion like Sam sharing what he does to manage pressure.
“It’s a testament to him that he was sharing not just his successes, but also his challenges and tough days. It makes you think that if someone like that can have those tough experiences and still be a champion, then maybe I can rise above my challenges and get on top of my game as well.”
