The Simplest Way to Figure out What You Should Do next with Your Career

While anger, irritation, frustration, and sadness are generally
undesirable, they can be quite useful in uncovering the
difference we need to make. Complaining is another clue to pay
attention to—the stronger and more consistent the complaint, the
greater the potential opportunity. 


It’s easy to complain and criticize—to sit in the stands, drink
beer, eat hot dogs, and curse at (I mean cheer for) players. You
don’t have to take any hits, or worry about the cost of your
mistakes, but you also never get to feel the immense satisfaction
of scoring.


While some games are better left to elite athletes, most of us
are unknowingly missing out on the games that are meant for us.
When sitting in the stands and yelling is causing ulcers,
anxiety, and sleepless nights, get on the field. Often the games
we’re meant to play choose us, and anger, irritation,
frustration, and sadness are our clues.


While listening to my friend Frank-the-farmer lament about the
unethical farming practices of a few of his colleagues, I found
myself wondering why Frank hasn’t found a way to package his
knowledge and make a difference in his industry.


Angry and irritated with several people in his industry, Frank
explained various reasons he doesn’t agree with the farming
practices of his colleagues.


“One guy buys a bunch of cull meat in Maryland, and sells it as
grass-fed beef in Virginia,” Frank said, disgusted by the
unethical nature of such a move.


Having spent enough time with Frank on the farm, I knew that a
cull is a female cow that can no longer give birth, rendering her
a perfect candidate for the butcher, but I didn’t understand why
such a practice irritated Frank.


“The meat is old, gamey, and typically sold to low-end
restaurants locally. Disguising it as grass-fed gives the
consumer the wrong impression of how grass-fed meat is supposed
to taste,” Frank fired back at me.


“But female cows are 100% grass-fed,” Frank, “Don’t they spend
their lives on the pastures, grazing?” I asked.


“Yes, but this practice makes it difficult for farmers who are
doing grass-fed beef properly to compete. The quality of the meat
is nowhere near the same, and the consumer doesn’t know any
better.”


His argument made perfect sense, and I found myself armed with a
whole new set of questions to ask a farmer before purchasing
meat. That gift aside, I was concerned about Frank’s level of
frustration. It’s excellent fuel for progress, but it can also
become exhausting without action.


Throughout our conversation, I learned about the farmer who is
exceedingly successful, but only because of his dog-and-pony
show.


“He wears a beat up straw hat for his presentations and
interviews, but the hat doesn’t have a single sweat stain on it,”
Frank said, having clearly experienced the kind of sweat those
hats see in the summer months. “And,” he added, “He was given
three-hundred acres of land from his family—that’s not
sustainable farming.”


He’s right. Most people who are interested in farming are not
handed three hundred acres of land, but I wondered how the
majority could benefit from the minority. More importantly, I
wonder if Frank can see the various opportunities he has right in
front of him to use his anger as fuel to both learn and educate.


No fan (irritated or excited) has ever scored a touchdown. It’s
easy to sit in the stands and yell at the players, but it’s not
going to move the ball down the field. Your supportive cheer may
be the energy the players need to step up their game, but yelling
profanity at your team never does any good.


Here’s the point: If you find yourself irritated or angry about
what’s happening, get in the game and contribute what you can to
get the ball going in the direction you care about.  


Here’s to Your Greatness,


Misti Burmeister


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