WorldWide Drilling Resource

17 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2016 Are You Learning, or Stuck in Knowing? by Tim Connor Know a "know-it-all"? There is a difference between knowing and learning. The problem is, most people feel they know something and then act according to what they believe is truth. Let me give you a quick example. For centuries, people be- lieved (knew from what they had heard) the world was flat, and they let this knowing impact their beliefs and attitudes. When we discovered otherwise, did everyone change their view, or remain stuck in their knowing it was not true? I don't know, I wasn't there, but I do know truth is truth and regardless our denial or being unaware of it, doesn't change the facts. Years ago, scientists believed the atom was the smallest particle and - guess what - with time this was proven untrue. I could go on, but over time, several sub- sequent discoveries of the smallest particles proved to still not be true. Did everyone embrace the new truths as they emerged? Some yes and some no. Why? Well, without personal experience or evidence, all we have is what other people tell us, but how do we know what they know is the truth? We don't - so we have a choice to believe or question. Flip a switch in your kitchen and the lights come on. Truth? Can you see the source or cause? No, but you accept what you see as truth - your personal evidence. I could give you thousands of examples to prove there is more to life than we say we know, but the question remains: Do we let our perceived knowing get in the way of our continued learning? Learning is more than exposure to new information. It involves a willingness to let go of previous opinions, judgments, and mindsets. Reading a book or attending a seminar is no guarantee you will really learn anything. Yes, you receive new infor- mation, but generally speaking, people resist what is not consistent with their current beliefs, values, or knowledge. (By the way, the retention of a new idea, concept, ap- proach, philosophy, etc. is less than 3% after two weeks. Just thought I would throw it in for organizations who hire speakers/trainers to do an all-day seminar and expect behavior or attitudes to change permanently or even at all.) As a trainer, I have observed thousands of people in my audiences take notes, listen, participate, and then change nothing. Not being critical here, just sharing what I believe is a common challenge to learning. The challenge is, being willing to accept what you have believed, no matter how vested you are in it, is no longer true, valid, or appropriate for how you live your life. Let me ask you - have you changed any opinion about anything in the past five years? In other words, something you be- lieved in the past is no longer relevant or appropriate for how you work, play, or just live? If your answer is no, you are in denial. We all learn - whether we are actively searching for new knowledge or not. Life often forces us to learn regardless of whether we are ready or open to new ideas. Life is a teacher and it teaches us using failure, problems, adversity, obstacles, disap- pointment, uncertainty, and yes, change. We always have a choice. We can learn what life is trying to teach us and actively search for new knowledge, or we can resist life's lessons as they show up. I guarantee if you don't learn when you have the option, sooner or later a similar lesson or opportunity to learn will appear. For example, if you have never learned the lesson of disappointment I will guarantee some- thing or someone will continue to disappoint you until you finally get it. We all face disappointment in life and we can learn to accept and manage it, or continue to live with frustration, anxiety, and fear due to life's disappointing circumstances. Let me close with a simple concept - you are either an active life learner continually searching for new knowledge/wisdom and willing to embrace the new and let go of the old, or you are stuck blaming, whining, complaining because life isn't fair or good, or it doesn't behave according to your agendas, expectations, or schedule. Welcome to “Life 101” folks - learn or stay stuck in your knowing or what you believe or think is true. In His service, Tim To receive Tim’s weekly FREE motivational booster articles, contact him at www.timconnor.com with “please add me to your free booster e-mail subscriber list” in the subject line. Or contact him via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com Time’s running out! Be sure your company is included in our annual Buyers Meet Sellers issue. Call Brenda or Jan and reserve your space today! 850-547-0102