The news media and every farm meeting is buzzing with talk of tariffs and trade wars.

Life on the farm teaches valuable lessons about managing uncertainty. Weather, markets, and government policies are all beyond our control—yet they impact our livelihoods daily. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of global politics, spending time worrying about things we cannot change. But just like in farming, success comes from focusing our energy where it truly matters.

The Danger of Distractions

With today’s 24/7 news cycle and social media overload, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of concern, reacting emotionally to every headline. This constant distraction drains our energy and leaves us feeling powerless. Worrying about things beyond our reach doesn’t change outcomes—it only clouds our ability to make confident decisions in areas where we do have control.

Distractions significantly impair decision-making and productivity. A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that distractions differently affect perceptual, cognitive, and value-guided choices, leading to well-documented behavioral phenomena.

In the workplace, distractions are a major concern. study by Udemy revealed that workers lose an average of 2.1 hours per day due to distractions, totaling approximately 10.5 hours per week. This loss in productivity is often referred to as “presenteeism,” where employees are physically present but not fully productive.

Furthermore, research indicates that distractions can lead to increased response times and decreased accuracy in tasks. for instance, a study in Frontiers in Psychology found that distracting stimuli led to longer response times and negatively impacted working memory performance.

These findings underscore the importance of minimizing distractions to enhance decision-making and maintain productivity.

The Circles Concept: Concern, Influence, and Control

The Circles of Concern, Influence, and Control help us refocus our time and energy:

• Circle of Concern – This includes global events, political shifts, and economic trends. While important, we have no direct control over these factors. Obsessing over them can lead to stress and inaction.
• Circle of Influence – Here, we can impact outcomes to some degree. This might include engaging in industry advocacy, community leadership, or voting on key issues. While we don’t control these entirely, we can steer them in a positive direction.
• Circle of Control – This is where our daily choices truly matter. The way we manage our farm, our business decisions, our health, our mindset, and how we lead our families—these are within our control. Investing time here leads to the biggest returns.

Invest Your Time Wisely

When we spend too much time in the Circle of Concern, we drain our mental energy without making progress. Instead, shifting our focus to the Circle of Control empowers us to make clear, confident decisions. Ask yourself:

• Am I focusing on what I can control?
• Does this action move me forward?
• Is this a good use of my time and energy?

Farmers understand that we can’t control the rain, but we can prepare the soil, plant wisely, and adapt. The same principle applies to life and business. Don’t get lost in distractions—focus where it truly matters, and you’ll build resilience in the face of uncertainty.

A Lesson from Lynn

On the ranch, there’s always something demanding attention—cattle to check, equipment to maintain, and endless decisions to make. It’s easy to get pulled in a hundred directions. But I’ve watched Lynn stick to a simple yet powerful strategy: time blocking. (Of course that is not what he calls it)

He doesn’t let distractions dictate his day. His adherence to routine and scheduling is phenomenal. His first time block is always set for business activity and by 8:30 AM in the winter (8:00 in the summer) he is out the door.

If the morning is set for feeding cattle, that’s the focus—no phone calls, no side projects. If a business call is scheduled, he stops the truck, gives it his full attention, and then moves on. When it’s time for cattle care, he’s in the corral, not preoccupied with the latest trade policy. And when he sits down to review the markets, that’s the only thing on his mind.

Of course, interruptions happen—because life on the farm is like that. A piece of machinery breaks, or the cattle aren’t where they belong. But instead of getting flustered, he pivots, focusing on what’s most critical in the moment. He quickly recalculates the time and resources needed to get things back on track. Later, he reviews what happened to see what can be learned or improved.

This kind of discipline keeps the ranch running smoothly, even when outside pressures—like tariffs, fuel prices, or global politics—try to pull focus. It’s a reminder that we can’t control everything, but we can control how we spend our time.

Could you use time blocking in your day to sharpen your focus and get more done? 🚜⏳Do you have a strategy to defy distractions?

A Call to Action

Where is your focus today? Are you caught in worry, or are you investing your energy where it makes the most impact? Take a step back, refocus, and take charge of what’s truly in your hands. The more intentional you are with your time, the more confident and effective you’ll be in every area of life.