Lessons from Oil Wells and Potholes

Several months ago I heard another fellow, female physician coach, Dr. Katrina Ubell talking about oil wells and I got really excited about being an Indiana girl who grew up around this industry. Her point smacked me upside the head that I wanted to share my version with you.

There are times in our lives were we start a project. For this example, start digging. We got along, dig dig dig until suddenly, BAM, we hit something hard, new and tough. This challenge is like hitting a new level of bedrock where the soil profile changes. No more top-soil, it just got real!

We all like to think that we would preserver and pick away at this SUPER CHALLENGING layer. But a majority of the time, we throw our hands up and say, “Enough. I tried hard enough. Moving on.”

Now don’t get me wrong, there are times in our lives that we must make changes and “the hole you are digging” just isn’t for me. But where it is a problem is retrospectively looking at the trail behind you, is there a plethora of potholes? Are you giving up too soon? Are you picking the wrong place to start digging? Did the dig or project really not mean that much to you?

So instead, I advise changing your life of one filled with potholes to one with a few oil wells. (Stay with me on this one.)

When (not if) we get to those hard place in our lives after we've been digging through the soft mud, the hard bedrock can be a great refining process. It challenges you to question, “Do I continue?”

It also shows you that you must approach this situation differently than all your previous experience.

Instead of using the same tool or shovel, you must upgrade to a different tool in order to proceed. That little shovel you were using before has served you well to this point so be grateful but know you are ready for some more power. Same goes for your thought patterns or will power, they have served you to this point. But now is time to uplevel your mental game.

You now need the pulsating chisel drill, (I pick this one because recently I took up some tile in my basement and felt like a He-Woman using it. Also a must-have for tile removal but I diverge…) or jackhammer or upgrade to a dozer. In other words, you must invest some serious time, effort and money into new tools to get you through this challenge and onto the desired result below.  

Now, I know what you might be thinking, “Errin, I have been through Hell! I have been challenged and I have made it through.”

Friend, you are tough! But I want to show you that through all the layers of your life current or in the future:

  • Maybe it’s time for a different approach that isn’t so draining?

  • Maybe you need new sharp tools that are more effective?

  • Maybe you don’t need to struggle alone by asking for help instead of working alone?

If you’re past is full or potholes and you are ready to go deep into oil drilling, it’s about shifting your mental game, realizing what you really want and setting yourself up to succeed.

If you are working away at your current oil well but are dead-dog tired, now is the time to upgrade your equipment/skills, consider some different approaches and get help from others!

If you want to talk more, schedule a colleague to colleague call HERE because you got this and I got your back!