WorldWide Drilling Resource

31 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JANUARY 2015 Special Tip by Tim Connor Are you swimming upstream? “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Albert Einstein More than once in my life, I have been accused of swimming upstream or against the tide. Let me ask you, ever been accused of the same behavior? Consider, maybe everyone else is swimming in the wrong direction and you are the only one with the courage to go against the grain. Nothing new happens until some- one challenges what is known or con- sidered normal. Inventions, technology, medicine, travel - whatever - everything new that exists does, because someone had the willingness, courage, and con- fidence to weather the criticism, scorn, or judgments of others implying it be- cause they were different or unique in their thinking or actions of others. Been there? I know I have, whether it was a new book or way of presenting my ideas. One of the things I have discovered during my life is none of us are wrong, but hopefully learning we are just dif- ferent, unusual, or dissimilar, and this doesn't make us deserving of others’ criticism or judgment. Just think for a moment about polit- ical correctness really getting out of con- trol. It's getting to the point where we can't say anything to anyone about any- thing without earning their wrath or dis- approval. Think of creativity whether in art, music, or any other area. I'm not a fan of rap music, but it doesn't mean it's wrong unless in my opinion it has a lot of caustic or swear words included that disparage others in some way. I'm not a fan of opera, but it doesn't mean I lack class or sophistication. I don't like jumping out of airplanes or rock climb- ing, but it doesn't mean those who do are strange or bizarre. Swimming upstream takes courage and conviction, and the lack of the need of others’ acceptance or approval. Up- stream swimmers over the years in many ways have changed society in both positive and negative ways, but ask Bill Gates, Mark Twain, or Albert Einstein if they think they are strange and guess what - they will or would have looked at you as if you were the one who was strange challenging what they felt, be- lieved, or how they acted. Mark Twain and Will Rogers have always been two of my heroes, and I think this is because they both swam upstream. Are you too concerned about how others describe you or feel about you, or their opinions of you, that prevents you from expressing who you are? Swimming upstream will often earn you the scorn, ridicule, or criticism of someone or some group, but in the end, if you allow them to prevent you from being you - what a shame. As I have been guilty of many times saying to an audience, “I would like you to like me, but it's more important that I like me than you liking me, so I am who I am - take it, leave it, accept it, like it, don't like it, hate it, love it, etc. It's up to you, but in the end I'm not going to let you determine who I am, what I believe, or how I think, feel, or behave. I was not put on this earth for your approval.” My intent is not to hurt anyone in any way with my writing or speaking, but as soon as I let you determine who I am - I lose who I am. Mark Twain once said, “If there is no malice in your heart, there can't be any malice in your words.” And I believe this is true. Too many people let others deter- mine the quality, creativity, and ultimate outcome and value of their life. Let me repeat - what a shame. So, why not start swimming up- stream more often? I can tell you from experience the river is not as crowded upstream, and it can be a lot more fun! 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 at michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Consejo Especial por Tim Connor ¿Está usted nadando río arriba? “Lo importante es no dejar de cues- tionar. La curiosidad tiene su propia razón de existir.” Albert Einstein Más de una vez en mi vida, he sido acusado de nadar contra la corriente o Hector Leos Translator Connor trans. cont’d on page 32.