A Lesson In Starting Where You Are & Never Giving Up

Our kids had a great day showing their cattle at the Sioux Empire Fair today, and in all the growth that comes with learning and trying new things, I reminded them, while we waited for our class to go in the ring, that everybody starts somewhere.

I told them the story of their mom, who 13 years ago (long before motherhood), leveraged money she didn’t have to hire an illustrator, designer, and producer of her first children’s book, “Levi’s Lost Calf.”

When it finally launched in July of 2011, I organized my own little media tour and book signing route in the state (thanks to lots of friends along the way), and my first stop was the Sioux Empire Fair.

I was scheduled to sign and sell books in the Old MacDonalds Farm, and I sat there the entire long and hot day. After hours of sitting at my booth, I sold one single book, and I drove home that day feeling pretty darn defeated.

But I refused to quit. Quitting really wasn’t an option anyway since I had production and printing bills to pay. Even though the day was a flop, I was also still hopeful — one person did want my book, after all! Maybe others might, too, if I kept spreading the word.

Fast forward to today — nine books later, and I’ve lost track of the tens of thousands of books that have sold across the country and around the world.

It’s been such a blessing to see how these educational agricultural books are used in classrooms, sold in farm stores, and enjoyed by families from New York City to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between.

Even better is seeing it all come full circle, with my own daughter following in the same path — raising cattle and publishing a book of her own, titled, “Scarlett & Lucky.”

I share this story to remind anyone reading this — don’t let the fear of perfection, failure, or judgment stop you from pursuing your dreams. Don’t ever let the critic in your head tell you that you can’t do something.

The dreams you have in your mind will take longer than you think. It will be harder than you can imagine. There will be days you want to quit, or go back to “normal.” But anything in life worth doing tends to be challenging, and I always tell my kids, we never, ever back down from a challenge!

Have a vision and head out to sea; you can build your boat as you go. Remember, ships in the harbor are safe, but that’s not where ships are meant to be.

If there’s something in your heart — go for it. Your kids are watching, and they will learn from the steps you take along the journey. Be fearless. Have grit. Don’t give up. Lead by example, and your kids will follow suit.

Everybody starts somewhere, and my message to you today is simple — Just start.