Let’s be honest. We’ve all had sluggish or frustrating days where we wonder why the heck we’re doing what we do. It can be challenging to find the motivation to get out of bed, do a chore, start a project.
Motivation can be complex. What gets you excited about work today might not be the same a year or several years from now.
It’s natural for our motivation to ebb and flow just like our emotions and physical energy, says Pam Paquet, Chilliwack, B.C. business coach and therapist. Doing things you don’t like to do, don’t want to do or don’t see as necessary, or not getting the expected results and not having our efforts acknowledged by others are motivation killers, she says.
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Paquet says having short-term goals that contribute to your long-term goals can help you stay motivated. She says that staying creative and innovative with new and different projects can also help with motivation.
That’s been Ava Emily van Beusekom’s experience. A farmer in Owen Sound, Ont., she is motivated by her passion for farming and the positive feedback she gets from customers. But she admits the challenges of work, markets, politics and finances can leave her feeling drained. She has found her motivation has increased, however, since she and her husband expanded the farm and added a new farm store at Stonekreek Feed & Farm Supply a few years ago. “I love what I do and want to continually improve,” she says.
Two kinds of motivation
Motivation can be divided into two kinds, says resiliency expert Beverly Beuermann-King of Little Britain, Ont. Intrinsic motivation comes from within, driven by passion, purpose, or personal fulfillment. “A farmer who enjoys working the land because it brings satisfaction to watch a great crop grow is intrinsically motivated.”
On the other hand, she says extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards, such as financial success, recognition or avoiding negative consequences. “A farmer who stays motivated due to having a nationally recognized herd or meeting family expectations is extrinsically motivated.”
These factors determine how motivated someone feels to continue a task, adapt to challenges and sustain long-term commitment — such as staying engaged in farming after a decade or more, explains Beuermann-King, who grew up on a dairy farm in southwestern Ontario.
Rob Musselman says his motivation has changed since he and his wife first began farming nine years ago. Having grown up on a farm, it was his lifelong dream to farm. He enjoyed working the land, watching crops and cattle grow, and, most of all, the sense of accomplishment from seeing a job through to the end. His wife, Stacey, didn’t have a farm background but supported his passion.
As the family and the farm have grown, the pressures have changed, says Musselman. “It takes both Stacey and I to manage the farm now and our motivation is driven by the thought of providing a future for our children and growing a business that we can all be proud of.”
Musselman also enjoys building relationships with their customers who visit the farm each summer. “Details matter in our business and we are motivated to exceed the expectations of our guests, in both the quality of our produce and the experience our guests have on the farm.”
“External validation,” says Beuermann-King, “whether from family, customers, or industry peers, boosts motivation by reinforcing the value of one’s work.”
Support in the trenches
Seeking support from others “who are in the trenches” helps Douglas, Ont. grain farmer Jenn Doelman stay motivated. After being involved in a family farm and farm supply business, Doelman and her husband began farming on their own about five years ago. The independence feels good, says Doelman, who likes being the “captain of her own destiny.”
Doelman finds that when things get overwhelming, connecting with other farmers and other businesswomen who have kids helps. She’s also intentional about her “social media diet,” choosing not to read negative comments about agriculture online, which helps protect her mental health.
Motivation is deeply tied to how much physical, mental and emotional energy you have available, says Beuermann-King. Without proper energy management, even the most passionate and driven farmer can experience burnout, frustration and a loss of motivation.
Beuermann-King’s number one strategy for maintaining motivation is to manage energy effectively. This includes:
- Prioritizing physical health: Fatigue is a major motivation killer. Prioritize sleep, hydration and nutrition to ensure your body has the right fuel needed to sustain energy.
- Implementing strategic rest: Avoid burnout by building in moments of pause, whether it’s micro-breaks during the day in between all the chores, or time away from the farm. “A short break or shift in routine can provide a fresh perspective.”
- Practicing stress-reduction techniques: Use mindfulness, deep breathing or relaxation exercises to prevent chronic stress from draining your drive.
- Creating seasonal rituals: Each season brings different tasks. Look forward to them by setting seasonal traditions such as a reflection in the winter of where you have come from and where you would like to be in the spring, or celebrations after harvest and the gratitude for what you have achieved.
- Planning for the off-season: Use slower months to rest, plan for the next season, and get away and explore personal interests that fuel overall well-being.
Van Beusekom has found that managing her energy is an important element of staying motivated. “I have learned to respect myself and how much I can accomplish in a day.” She strives to give 100 per cent each day but recognizes that what that looks like may vary from one day to the next.
Taking time to enjoy the small things in life such as the beauty of nature, watching her children play, and cranking up the dance music, along with taking a step back to see the bigger picture, help her keep challenges in perspective.
Musselman finds it’s easy to be motivated in spring and early summer in the lead-up to strawberry season when there is much to do to get the crop ready and prepare the farm for visitors. “Preparation starts as soon as the snow melts. The arrival of warm temperatures and fresh air makes it easier to enjoy the work that needs to be done.”
But after the strawberry harvest, he says it’s harder to complete the menial tasks (weeding and other crop management tasks) that need to be done, especially with the heat and humidity. “Customers have left, the urgency is gone, and the only remaining motivation is knowing crop management needs to be done to get the crop ready for the next season.”
In the off-season, the Musselmans also prioritize family and vacation time while balancing their full-time off-farm jobs.
Beuermann-King debunks the notion that motivation is only about discipline or willpower. “It’s deeply rooted in psychological factors,” she says, emphasizing that farmers can maintain motivation by balancing intrinsic and extrinsic drivers, fostering resilience, and managing energy.
“When motivation dips, reconnecting with purpose, setting achievable goals, and leaning on support systems and people can help reignite the drive to continue.”
Staying motivated
Understanding the factors that influence your motivation can help keep you positive even through hardships, says resiliency expert Beverley Beuermann-King of Little Britain, Ont. These include:
Purpose and meaning
A strong sense of purpose fuels motivation. Farmers who view their work as essential, such as feeding their communities, preserving the land for future generations or continuing a family legacy, are more likely to remain engaged.
A lack of meaning can lead to detachment and a decrease in motivation. Reconnecting with “why the work matters” helps sustain commitment.
Self-determination and autonomy
Farmers feel more motivated when they have autonomy, the ability to make their own decisions. Farmers who can create and change their processes are more likely to stay motivated than those who feel trapped, with no choice in how things are done. For example, restrictions caused by market demands or regulations are demotivating.
Feeling skilled and capable in your work strengthens motivation. If challenges become too overwhelming or there’s a sense of stagnation, motivation can drop. Increase your motivation by learning new techniques or setting small, achievable goals.
Social connection and support
Motivation is stronger when individuals feel connected to a group. Farmers who engage with peers, join networks, or share experiences with other farmers, are more likely to sustain motivation than those who feel isolated and that no one understands the challenges they are facing.
