WorldWide Drilling Resource

Have You Looked in the Mirror Lately? by Tim Connor Hindsight is 20/20, or so the experts have been telling us for years. Since another year is speeding by, why not spend a little time in reflection? There is only one place you can impact the future and the past, and that's in the present. Yes, history can be a relevant teacher, and the future can look either dim or bright, but at the end of a day or year, your career or life - a significant thing which matters are your memories. Your memories are created in the present. Your skills are used in the present, and your mistakes and successes are made in the present. So, what does looking in the mirror have to do with your future success, happi- ness, and inner peace? Everything. When you look in the mirror for the symptoms of your failures or the contributors of your success, be sure you are aware of your personal blind spots and prejudices which could be coloring your opinions, views, attitudes, and your ability to see reality clearly - and not the fake reality you are telling yourself exists or you want to, or hope will exist. What should you be looking for in that mirror in your office or bathroom? Here are just a few of the many questions you could ask yourself: j Are you in touch with reality? Not yours, but “real” reality? j How is your ego shading your views or opinions? j Are you impatient? j Can you be wrong? j Do you always need to be right? j Do you need to be in control? j Are you a giver or a taker? j Can you handle disagreement? j Are you an effective and honest communicator? j Are you judgmental and/or prejudiced? j Do you need the approval or acceptance of others? j Are you fun to be around? j Is political correctness getting in the way of you being you? j Do strangers like you or dislike you during your first encounter? j Is your self-esteem preventing certain decisions, actions, or behavior? j Are you spending enough time with the people you love or care about? j Are you investing enough time and resources in your career and personal growth? j Have you created a safe and honest culture in your organization, department, family, or relationships? These are just some of the basics. There are numerous other questions, issues, and circumstances that if viewed with self-honesty and integrity, can lead you to a better understanding of yourself and the consequences of your personal behav- iors and/or actions and decisions. Too many people - spouses, parents, employees, managers, customers, executives - refuse to accept the responsibility for what is wrong in their organizations or relationships because blame is easier. So what can you do to ensure you are always dealing in truth? I can't adequately answer this question in a short article, but let me conclude with a fundamental leadership and life question. Did any of the above questions make you uncom- fortable, or were you unable to answer any of them honestly? How about one more? When you have a problem, issue, failure, or a set of negative cir- cumstances in your organization, rela- tionship, or life in general, do you look outside yourself - or in the mirror for the causes or contributors? In His service, Tim Tim Connor may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com 8 SEPTEMBER 2019 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Dealmakers This Epiroc Diamondback DB40 drill rig went to Tom Leonard of American Well and Pump, Inc. in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, from David Bijolle of the Epiroc USA branch in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Epiroc USA Send your deals to: michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com