Hello everyone in the wonderful hive blockchain. I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the weather wherever you are.
One important thing about life is that you have to make decisions. Good decision-making is a very vital skill everyone (especially adults) have to possess. And at one point in our lives, we’ll have to choose between making the right or wrong decisions.
While some people frown against taking risks, others take bold steps and expect the best results. Personally, the top risk-takers are investors (especially those who invest in crypto).
Growing up, I wasn't the type of kid that likes taking risks. I prefer playing it safe to taking risks and hoping for things to go my way. But when I grew up, I discovered risk-taking is also another important part of life. Sometimes you have to take risks and when you do, you'd be happy that you took the bold step.
Is there a time I had to choose between taking a risk or playing it safe?
Source
The short answer is yes. As a homesteader, most of the decisions you make have to deal with risk. If you're a homesteader, then you'll have a clear idea of what I'm talking about.
Okay, let me break it down for non-homesteaders. Homesteading is a life of self-sufficiency. Gardening, farming, building, and all are aspects of homesteading.
For example, an inexperienced farmer (a homesteader in the agricultural sector) who wants to grow maize on a large scale has to decide to risk it all or decide to play it safe. What if he loses his capital? What if it does grow well? What if something bad happens? These are the questions that come to his mind that’d prompt him to play it safe. What if everything turns out well? What if his plants grow well? These are the type of questions that’d prompt him to take the risk.
Here’s my story
About one year ago, my church had a very big barn where we raised different animals; chickens, rabbits, goats, and some other poultry animals. We started on a small scale, but we later upgraded when business boomed and we were making huge profits.
The owner of the barn wasn't always around, so it was up to us to take charge and make sure everything went well.
My friend gained admission to a federal university in the east and had to leave immediately to process things. Now, I was left alone to handle everything.
It happened that the church priest (who was also the owner of the big barn) bought more than 50-day-old chicks (broilers), and I was the only person around that period to take care of the chicks and everything in the barn.
A few years back, I bought about 10-day-old chicks. Sadly, they all died because I wasn't experienced and didn't know how to take care of them. That was why I opted for local chickens in place of broilers.
I told the priest about my fear of raising day-old chicks due to experience. But he gave me two choices. After talking to me and adding a few motivational lines he said I should try again, but this time I should put in everything or I should give up the barn and he’d employ someone to take care of it.
I didn't want to give up the barn, and at the same time, I did not want to raise the 50 chicks. It was a very tough decision. I wasn't getting paid for the work I do on the barn, but take my share out of almost everything. And when we sell any animal, I also get my share from it.
What choice did I make?
After deliberating on the matter for a few minutes, I decided to take the risk of raising the chicks. I went online to browse everything about broiler chicks and how to raise them. I knew I couldn't do the job alone (raising other animals and the chicks). I told my cousin (an experienced farmer) and he agreed to help me out whenever he was free.
After about 2 months of taking care of the chicks, they were already mature enough. Although along the line, I lost one of them, but I was still happy with myself for doing a good job.
How did that decision turn out for me?
The risk I took turned out to be a positive thing. Something that’d forever remain in my history. I was praised for doing a very good job by my priest (the owner of the barn) and other church members.
If I had to make it again, would I make the same choice?
Definitely! I'd make that choice over and over again. Sometimes we just have to take risks! If I hadn't taken the risk I would've lost everything and I wouldn't have known anything about raising them till now.
Thanks for reading!