Top 5 Life Lessons I Learned in FFA

In honor of it being National FFA week, today I have decided to take a stroll back into memory lane and pick out the top five lessons the organization taught me. A word of caution that it's not all puppies and rainbows; but that's life sometimes the wind blows (especially in North Dakota).

1. You can't be good at everything. 
This is a HUGE lesson I learned though my years of FFA. Up until I joined the organization I was so used to being great at everything I did (with the exception of math). This lesson set in quickly when my enthusiasm for the organization grew to the point where I wanted to participate in literally everything. Some things take practice, and lots of it. While sometimes it's just not your niche and no matter how hard you try you will never, ever be good at it.

2. People will inspire you.
Up until this point in my life, I had never been inspired by anyone I knew in real life. The more involved I became in FFA, the more people around me inspired me. I recall times when I was in complete awe of my peers. The stories they had to share, the struggles they've faced, and the achievements reached inspired me to be the best that I could be. I was not only inspired by the individuals themselves, but by how they interacted with each other. It amazed me how we each had one small thing in common, an interest in agriculture, and it somehow  us all together as a family. How a group of people who have never met can become so close so quickly really amazed me.

3. Achievements are meant to be shared.
Your success = chapter success
It works both ways. When you succeed, your teammates and your advisor succeed as well. Recognition feels great and is nothing to be ashamed about. Others are genuinely happy when you succeed and those around you want you to reach your goals no matter how big or small.

4. Not everyone is honest.
Now I know this one is kind of a downer, but it is true. No matter how good you think the individuals around you are, that is not always the case. Odds are there will always be someone in the bunch who does not have honest intentions. Often I've found that some will do anything to reach the top, no matter the cost. Be careful who you surround yourself with, because eventually in your life someone will use to to reach their own goals and they won't care who they hurt.

5. Passion leads to success. 
This is by far the most important lesson learned through my four years in FFA. When you are passionate about something, it doesn't matter if it is a contest, service project, or a future career; you're more likely to achieve. Why is this you might ask? I've found that when I'm passionate about something I have more ambition to put work into it. I tend to give my all to a task when it is a subject I care about. I've found the case is similar for others as well.

There you have it, the top 5 life lessons I learned in FFA. Some are good, some are bad and maybe a little ugly, but it's the truth. I couldn't be more grateful for my years in the organization. I learned so much about myself as a person as well as those around me. I discovered my passions, my dislikes and frankly I realized that I just suck sometimes.

"Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve."