40 chances to learn

A few years back I read Howard G. Buffett’s book “Forty Chances.” In the book Howard, son of Warren Buffett, explains that farmers have about 40 growing seasons in their careers—results and mileage vary, of course.

If you had just 40 chances to get it right, what would you do different?

It’s a topic that’s been on my mind a lot lately. As you’ll have read by now, our colleague Doug Rich is retiring after a 40-year career at High Plains Journal. And in a few days I’ll celebrate my 40th birthday.

By Buffett’s accounting, Doug’s at the end of his 40 chances, and I’m midway through mine. Forty chances may either seem like a lot, or not that many to some. I suppose it matters at what point in your career you’re looking at them.

More importantly, though, as Buffett explains in his book, the question isn’t did we succeed, but what did we learn and pass along to others?

Well, let’s see, after nearly 20 years working alongside Doug I can tell you I’ve picked up the following:

1. “Family” isn’t always defined by DNA and it isn’t always convenient. When choosing between family and work, family has to come first otherwise what’s the point of the work? Flexibility helps make that happen.

2. Spell names correctly. The story you write may be the only time other than a birth notice, wedding announcement or obituary that someone is mentioned in the newspaper. Get it right.

3. Never put the pen or the camera away until you’re back in the car and driving out of the driveway. Some of the best stories and photos come when you least expect them. Listen, watch and be present.

4. Tragedy happens. Sometimes the story takes a larger toll on the storyteller than they let show. Respect that everyone deals with burdens in their own manner and support them.

5. Bring backup batteries, snacks, bottled water, toilet paper and spare keys to the truck. Lessons learned the hard way tend to stick with you. Planning for catastrophe is worth the extra minutes.

6. When choosing dining establishments, choose a parking lot full of farm trucks over a Yelp review. Following the crowd sometimes can lead you to a memorable chicken fried steak. Just be careful which crowd you’re following.

7. Take the two-lane road. There’s a time and a place for the Interstate, but life happens on two-lane roads that gets overlooked. Slow down and appreciate it.

8. Take the hard classes. You may not succeed at everything you try, but the act of trying something different is a win itself. An A student and a C student still get the same diploma.

9. There are three sides to every story—what Person A saw, what Person B saw, and what actually happened. Remember that without the three viewpoints the picture isn’t really complete.

10. Choose the pie. What’s the point of eating your vegetables if there isn’t a reward at the end? Make time for the rewards, you’ve earned them.

As Doug’s colleague for 18 years, I can tell you he used his chances to the fullest measure. His harvests have been fruitful and have inspired, educated, cajoled and informed generations of farmers as they go about making the most of their 40 chances.

Only time will tell if I did the same. But I had a really great teacher show me how.

Jennifer M. Latzke can be reached at 620-227-1807 or [email protected].