Values provide guidance during challenging times

NORMAL, Ill. — Your mindset can hold you back or help you take action and move forward.

“Your mindset is what you believe about yourself,” said Kristen Strom, who spoke during the Women Changing the Face of Agriculture event hosted by Illinois Agri-Women.

“Where your mind goes, your energy goes, and that is where your behavior and action go,” she told the young ladies gathered at the career exploration event. “When you know this, you can train your brain to do the things you truly want to happen in your life.”

During the session, Strom said, the goal was to provide high school students with strategies and tools they can use, regardless of what happens in their life.

There are several things that every person can control such as their thoughts, words, actions, reactions, decisions, choices, attitudes and moods.

Other things are out of a person’s control, however, you can influence them.

“You can influence other people, but what they do is out of your control,” Strom said during her presentation at Heartland Community College.

“The news, social media and other people’s comments on social media are out of your control,” she said. “You have to let go of things you cannot control.”

Life is not easy, Strom said.

“Life is going to challenge you, but when you have a mindset for resilience, you will be better prepared to handle it, get through it and come out stronger on the other side,” she said.

Values are a person’s inner compass that provide guidance during challenging times.

“Examine your friendships and think about your five people that you spend the most time with because they are a reflection of your values,” Strom said.

“If you find yourself in a situation with people that do not align with your values, you probably need to get out of that situation,” she said. “Keep the good friends close and be open to new friendships.”

Strom encouraged the young ladies to grow with small steps.

“Focus on one small step to grow you, to be courageous, to talk to a new person or to have that hard conversation,” Strom said.

“Put yourself in the position where you are prepared to take a test,” she said. “Culture tells us that failures are bad, but failures are feedback and necessary for growth.”

Successes are reminders of what is possible.

“If she can do it, I can do it, too,” Strom said. “Some of us have role models that are FFA advisers, teachers, family members or coaches.”

All students should prioritize their physical, emotional and mental health.

“When you start to feel like something doesn’t feel right, ask for help,” Strom said. “Go to a trusted adult, mentor, parent or friend and say that you are struggling right now, because life is going to throw you a curveball.”

Each person is unique and everyone has their own strengths.

“Your authentic self is your magic. Don’t ever feel like you have to change to fit the mold,” Strom said. “Don’t compare yourself to someone else because that is their special magic.”

“When we identify our wins, that leads to resilience, confidence, higher self-esteem and leadership,” she said. “You are your own hype girl — don’t forget that because life will tell you otherwise.”

Courage isn’t loud, Strom said; it is moving forward even in scary situations.

“Courageous action is doing the hard thing and fear is part of growth,” Strom said. “You can borrow belief from others until you believe it yourself, so look to other people to see what is possible.”

“We need more women bringing other women along without competition and without comparison,” she said.