As a Recruiter in Agriculture, I regularly run across talented people that are not willing to do the one thing that will absolutely boost their career. I’m referring to something that every professional has the capability to do if they just make it a priority:

Be willing to relocate.

That’s it. That’s the secret. You wanted it it be more complicated?

Granted, for some it is very complicated. You have family that needs you locally, your spouse has a great job that cannot be relocated, or you just like it there. These are all valid reasons, but be honest with yourself that you’re making location a priority over your career path. If that’s the choice you want to make, that is respectable.

For those of you who really want a successful and rewarding career enough to make it a priority, stop getting hung up on location. In this digital era, staying connected with your network from a distance is easier than ever. And who knows, that place that you dreaded going to...you might even like!

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, agriculture is now a globally connected industry. Tomorrow’s Ag leaders will be those with broad backgrounds who have experienced different aspects of the agriculture industry. In order to develop that background, you need to physically GO to different agricultural areas.

Let’s face it, the primary reason you don’t relocate is fear. Maybe it’s FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) on whatever is happening where you currently live, or maybe it’s the concern that you won’t like your new home, or that you won’t develop relationships in an area where you don’t currently know anyone. I acknowledge that fear exists in all of us, but that shouldn’t stop you from reaching your career potential.

Let’s look at this rationally, what do you have to lose? If this relocation is the next step in your career and gets you closer to your career goals, what’s the worst that can happen?

You don’t like your new location? Give it at least a year to make sure that’s not just the fear talking. If a year or so down the road you still don’t like it, start to look for something else. And guess what? You have a year of quality work experience at a level that you didn’t have before. And bonus, you have proven to your next employer that you are willing to do what it takes to get the job done, even if that involves moving.

Companies want to grow, but in order to do that, they need employees to grow with them. Growth means leaving your comfort zone. So a growing and thriving companies want employees who have proven they are willing to leave their comfort zones.

This doesn’t mean that ALL you have to do is relocate to be successful. You still have to be good at your job, work hard, build relationships, show initiative and personal responsibility. But if you’re going to do all those things anyway, don’t hold yourself back by saying “no” to relocation.

Take it from a guy who is married to someone who also has a successful career: it’s not always easy to make the details work. We did five different locations in the first five years of my career, so I know the challenges. But do not underestimate the importance of taking risks and experiencing new things. Not only will it pay dividends in your career but also add rich experiences to your life.

Tim Hammerich is a Recruiter in the agriculture industry. Connect with him on Linkedin or visit http://www.AgGrad.com for more information.