WorldWide Drilling Resource

Luck, Timing, and Preparation by Tim Connor I s t he r e any such thing as luck? The luck of the Irish? You lucky stiff...I never win anything. Every- where people seem to have different views of luck or good fortune. I believe in timing, and I also believe in synchronicity - the con- cept where certain things seem to happen and we can't explain why. I also believe in preparation, effort, and persistence. Isn't it is amazing how many people who work hard, study diligently, and commit to their goals and purpose often have more than their share of good luck? There is a great old saying: “Luck is nothing more than preparation meeting opportunity.” I can't tell you how to prepare, what to study, how hard to work, or how long it will take. If I could, I wouldn't be sitting at this computer right now. I'd be a well-paid genius cruising the Caribbean on my 75-foot sailboat. I can tell you, however, most of this doesn't matter. Surprised? Well, I have seen people have good fortune without a lot of work, and I have seen many people toil their entire lives and not once get a single lousy break. I have known PhDs who struggle financially, and I know many high school dropouts who have become millionaires. I also know a couple of lottery winners who bought just one ticket, hit the jackpot, then spent the rest of their lives in misery. So what does really matter? Six things, in my opinion: 1) Belief in yourself and your goals, purpose, mission, or destiny - for the long haul no matter how many trials you face. 2) The courage to weather the lows and failures, and humility and gratitude when you reach the top of the mountain. 3) A support system of people who care, believe in you, and are willing to be there when you need them. 4) Action and direction - you have to do something - and you have to keep moving in the right direction without worrying about the destination. 5) Controlling your thoughts. 6) Having positive expectations. I am sure there are many more, and some of you might take issue with this philosophy. So before you send me an e-mail saying I have gone off the deep end, let me finish with: I believe in education and learning. I believe in hard work. I believe in persistence against all odds, and I believe in faith and hope. I believe God is with me every step of the way. I even believe in a little good luck now and then. I also believe ‘chance’ favors the fertile mind, active body, and willing spirit. The Quakers have a wonderful saying: “Pray, but move your feet!” A few questions: j Are you waiting for Lady Luck to bless you? j Do you spend a lot of money on lottery tickets...hoping? j Do you stick with your goals, purpose, and mission in the face of adversity? j Are you waiting for God to do it all? In His service, Tim Contact Tim via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com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orldWide Drilling Resource ® JANUARY 2016