Breaking Through: A Lesson from the Blizzard

A recent blizzard shattered records, halting businesses and shutting down traffic on both city streets and highways. Many motorists were caught off guard by the severe weather, and even those with studded winter tires found themselves shoveling out of tricky spots. The day after, driving through the Canadian prairie, what was usually a quick two-hour stretch of highway ballooned into a four-hour journey, with only one usable lane.

Abandoning the ‘Norm’

Creeping along in the ‘fast’ lane—now reduced to a single-file line behind a procession of semis—some drivers decided to test the abandoned snow-covered lane, hoping to get ahead. Most quickly realized it wasn’t worth the risk and merged back into the slow-moving line. But a few, equipped with the right gear and determination, managed to navigate the ruts, find traction, and pull ahead.

At first, I thought, “Patience is a virtue.” But as the hours dragged on, I began to respect those risk-takers more. They were willing to step outside the comfort zone and make progress where others stayed stuck.

The Job Search Parallel

So, how does this relate to the job hunt? Many career seekers stay in the ‘safe lane,’ moving slowly but surely toward their goals. They know they’ll eventually get there, even if the pace is painfully slow. Others make an attempt to break free from the pack but retreat at the first sign of difficulty. Yet, there are those who, despite the risks, venture into the unknown, gain traction, and move forward faster.

Neither approach is necessarily wrong. Everyone has their own tolerance for risk, and your career journey may require more caution or boldness, depending on where you are. But ask yourself: are you sticking to the safe route or ready to take a calculated risk?

Taking the Leap in Your Agri-Career

If you’re ready to take that step in your agriculturally-based career search, we encourage you to register your profile with Grasslands Recruitment Specialists. We don’t just place people in jobs; we match the right people to the right roles. Let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll help connect you with opportunities that align with your goals—whether now or in the future.

Better Late Than Never

After crawling along at 10 km/h for far too long, we finally took the plunge and ventured out of the slow lane. Gaining traction, we gradually pulled ahead, though we still had a long way to go. As luck would have it, the road cleared just 30 minutes later. We could have stayed in the safe lane and made it eventually—but by taking a calculated risk, we got there much faster.

Sometimes, a little risk is worth it.