Where Do You Rank Your Raising?

Battling Average! Online Radio With Greg Gilbert

Where Do You Rank Your Raising?Comment0ShareTweetShareprintemail

Ranking concept

Ijust read a post by Dan Miller of 48Days.com on social media about trimming trees on his property. There was a photo of Dan on his John Deere tractor with the results of his morning labor on the trailer behind the tractor. My wife and I have been a fan of Dan, his family, his books and products for years. We have both attended events at the Sanctuary on his property in Franklin, TN. His post and photo inspired this blog.

In much of Dan’s content, you can hear and read the influence of his childhood on a farm.

In the past two months, I have completed two books. One is a leadership book that has been in the developmental stage for over 30 years. It is “The Power Of Better Series Volume I – Leading Like You Own It – Why We Never Wax A Rental Car!” It is a “journey through my journal.” It began in 1978 when an attorney told a newly promoted Greg Gilbert, “if it’s not written, it didn’t occur.” I began journaling everything.

The other book is a fiction story titled “50 Days Of Hay – A Life Changing Summer.”It was eight days from inspiration to completion.

In the dedication section of both books, I thanked my first leaders, my parents. Even though they have both passed on, I am so grateful they moved us to our farm outside of Hope, Arkansas when I was 11 years old.

I moved from Hooks, Texas where I could ride my bike and “play” with dozens of kids to the country where I was basically trapped with a kid sister.

I spent thousands of hours in an old barn building and repairing all sorts of things with my dad.

I learned about;
• Electricity
• Wiring
• Plumbing
• How to use different tools
• Welding
• Life
• Leadership
• Family
• Fabrication
• Carpentry

Other aspects of the farm taught me;

• The importance of a work ethic
• The concept of sowing and reaping
• The care of animals
• How to work on machinery
• How to occupy myself. (I’ve never known the word boredom.)
• The entrepreneurial spirit (I made money with a Grit route, cucumber patch, hauling square hay and discing land for others. The worst thing that happened to my entrepreneurial spirit was taking a job.)
• Some of life’s greatest lessons are covered in chicken manure.

If I had to rank the importance of my developmental years, it would be;
1. My 12 years as the primary Human Resources contact to over 2200 team members. I learned quickly the only person I can change is Greg Gilbert.
2. My years on the farm. (A very close second.)
3. My years in a classroom, seminars, books and personal development.
I realize that some people experienced horrible childhoods. This is not fair to these children. That is a result of the same problem that exists in many organizations, a lack of leadership.

I am thankful for the opportunities and lessons provided throughout my life and career.

My parents, leaders, mentors, HR career and farm raising are sprinkled; no; they are poured heavily throughout all of my written and spoken content.

Where would you “Rank Your Raising” in importance in your life? Wait, here is a more important question. Our raising is in the past and cannot be changed, only reflected upon. If you have kids at home, how will they rank their raising? That is where can all get “Better.”

I would love to hear your comments.

Greg Gilbert conducts “The Power Of Better” Leadership and Personal Betterment Programs On-Site and at locations around the country. He is the author of “The Power Of Better Series – Volume I – Leading Like You Own It! Why We Never Wax A Rental Car.” and the fiction book 50 Days Of Hay – A Life Changing Summer. He is committed to assisting the willing to “Become Better” through increased Education, Engagement and Accountability.

Visit GregGilbertCoaching.com for more information.