Br>Home - Recruitment Techniques - Careers & Employment - Management Techniques 


Please click here to visit our sponsor

What We Can Learn From J. Paul Getty


J. Paul Getty planned to enter the U.S. Diplomatic Service, but, when he got out of college, the Oklahoma oil boom caught his attention. Since his father had already prospered in the oil business, he was irresistibly attracted to the prospects of wildcatting, and he decided to postpone his diplomatic ambitions for two more years.

He worked on other wildcatter's rigs and borrowed money from his father to raise money for oil speculation. His father only gave him small amounts of money and demanded prompt repayment.

J. Paul Getty spent his money frugally, and also saved money through haggling over prices.

At first his speculations did not go well, and a diplomatic career looked increasingly inviting. Then, early in 1916, he secured a bargain price of $500 on a lease and the well he sank produced 700 barrels a day. Suddenly, at the age of 23, he made a fortune.

Years later, journalists would ask him about his lucky beginning. They wondered how he knew that the well was so rich. He responded that he had gathered all the necessary geological facts from experts and the spot appeared to have been a good one.

"But," he added, " as for actually knowing what the outcome would be that was impossible. If there were a way to be a hundred percent sure where rich oil deposits are, nobody would ever sink a dry well."

"Oil prospecting is like any other venture in life, from getting married to buying a car...there is always an element of chance, and you must be willing to live with that element."

"If you insist on perfect certainty, you will never be able to make any decisions at all. You will simply paralyze yourself."

Resource Box

Saleem Rana got his Masters degree in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world. Discover how to create a remarkable life

Copyright 2004 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It's a shareware article.

Please click here to visit our sponsor


Vaco expands leadership team with addition of CPA for financial ...
Bizjournals.com, NC - 2 hours ago
... consulting firm Vaco LLC quietly moved into Memphis four years ago and has continued to expand its space and staff and to add to its leadership team. ...


Toyoda Gosei Recognized by Honda for Leadership in Quality ...
FOXBusiness - 11 hours ago
Both Toyoda Gosei Group companies were recognized for these Corporate Citizenship Awards because of their leadership in the areas of environment, diversity, ...


Challenge to Kevin Reynolds' construction union leadership
ABC Online, Australia - 20 hours ago
An occupational safety officer with the Construction Union has announced that he will challenge Kevin Reynolds for the union's leadership. ...
Challenge to Kevin Reynolds for CFMEU leadership Sunday Times.au
all 18 news articles


India ask US, EU to show leadership in Doha talks
Economic Times, India - 15 hours ago
"Major trading nations such as the US and the EU have to display leadership and not lay the onus for the Round's success only on developing members," ...


'Elitist' leadership alienating US Jews, says prominent sociologist
Ha'aretz, Israel - 16 hours ago
By Daphna Berman The perception that the American Jewish leadership is "elitist, parochial, self-serving and resistant to innovation," is fueling a decline ...


Ghana: Humility, Leadership and Prof. Mills
AllAfrica.com, Washington - 16 hours ago
Indeed the qualities of humility are opposed to the grain of leadership. The same Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus defines a leader as "one who leads or ...


Sutter Lakeside Wellness Center presents 'Intuitive Leadership'
Lake County News, CA - 3 hours ago
LAKEPORT – The Wellness Center at Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Center for Health is presenting “Intuitive Leadership,” a class that will teach participants ...


Proxy firm advises Exxon Mobil leadership split
CNNMoney.com - May 15, 2008
NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Another proxy advisory firm on Thursday recommended shareholders vote to split the top leadership roles at Exxon Mobil Corp., ...
BUSINESS TRENDS: Family gains ally in leadership quest Cherry Hill Courier Post
Support Grows for Exxon Mobil To Split CEO, Chairman Posts Wall Street Journal
all 19 news articles


CTV.ca

Tories use Liberal leadership loans for latest jab at Elections Canada
News1130, Canada - 6 hours ago
Stephane Dion and his former rivals have until June 3 to pay off their loans and unpaid bills from the 2006 Liberal leadership contest. ...
How much trouble is Dion in? Five pros make a list Vancouver Sun
Harper should let Dion's carbon tax breathe Globe and Mail
A Strong Canada Conservative Party of Canada (press release)
Toronto Star - Ottawa Citizen
all 170 news articles


Lake Cities librarian selected for leadership development program
Lake Cities Sun, TX - 3 hours ago
Rebecca Belknap, Library Director for Lake Cities Library, has been selected to attend the Tall Texans Leadership Development Institute, June 8 to 12. ...

Leadership - Google News

home | site map Distance Education at ICS

© 2006 www.elearn-university.org