Range 101: Goal Setting

As we begin a new year, I thought it appropriate to write about goal planning. Each year, I start my Ranch Management Planning course by reviewing the holistic goal concept developed by Allan Savory in his book “Holistic Management: A New Framework for Decision Making”. Spending time thinking about the “whole” is very important to orient oneself and a ranching operation to the things that influence every decision that needs to be made. Understanding that you don’t operate a ranch in a vacuum is important in developing a holistic goal. We first define the “whole” into three major categories: decision makers, resource base, and money. The categories are smaller wholes in themselves overlapping and connecting everything together. The decision makers are people that have influence on the day-to-day operations of the ranch or have a vested financial interest in the operation. These people create the holistic goal. It is a good idea to involve hired labor in forming of the holistic goal because they have special insight since they conduct routine tasks on the ranch. Also, you want people to be “on-board” when you implement necessary changes to the operation. The resource base is the physical things we normally think about on a ranch such as land, livestock, and equipment. However, you should expand this to include people as well. Extension agents, bankers, veterinarians, government agency people, etc. can be an excellent resource of knowledge to help you be successful. Finally, there is money. We need money to reinvest in the business and support our lifestyle. The important thing to remember is the source of money and the time value it has. It can work either for you or against you. You just need to use it wisely.

After defining the whole, you can form the holistic goal. Savory describes three areas of the holistic goal: quality of life, behaviors and systems, and visions. The quality of life can be described by value statements about family, work, free time, spiritual, physical, and emotional well being. Behaviors and systems are what (not how) statements which will support your quality of life. For example, if you value open, good communication you have to create systems where you can practice an open, safe, nonjudgmental environment. Last is the vision. You should think of statements that value the succession of your family business to the next generation, the environmental land ethic, and the importance it has in your community.

The holistic goal acts like a filter to help you make decisions and point you in the right direction. It grounds you and helps you avoid impulsiveness and miss steps you might regret. It also is not carved in stone. It should be a living document, reviewed and revised regularly. This time of year is perfect to review, revise, and use your holistic goal. The Coalition will be sponsoring Holistic Management workshops this winter/spring, so keep a lookout for these learning opportunities. An online YouTube webinar by HMI is a really good place to start https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=qLW1uSY-EO0.