I’ve got a radical women’s oil business plan for you: get out of your damn way.
I have worked in the oil and gas industry for over 30 years. A lot has changed. I have seen booms. I have seen busts. And I have seen women who could have had booming careers in this industry rob themselves of their potential.
When I started oil and gas was a boy’s only club. Today, you can find women leaders throughout the oilfield. But we could have several more women in leadership positions if we would follow a simple women’s oil business plan.
Get Rid of Limiting Beliefs
Limiting beliefs aren’t unique to women working in oil and gas. We all have limiting beliefs. Every person on earth has a little voice in their head saying “you’re too short”, “you’re too tall”, “you’re too fat”, “you’re too skinny”. “You’ve never done this before, what make you think you can do it now?”
It might be easier for women to climb the corporate ladder today than it was 30 years ago, but we still have to do battle with that nasty little voice.
“You can’t be successful in this industry. You’ll never be successful. This is a man’s job.”
Growing up my older brother always told me I could do anything a guy could do. I think that had an effect on me. I believe it to this day, and I believe it’s true for any woman who puts her mind to a task.
The simple fact of the matter is that this is America. Financial independence is the birthright of every American. If we relentlessly execute our vision, course correct when necessary, and push through the resistance we will win.
No matter what that voice says!
How Bad Do You Want It?
My husband and I got married in 1983. 2 years later we got pregnant. This is a trying time for many women’s oil business plans. Often times, those plans get put on hold indefinitely.
Not mine. I knew what I wanted to do, and where I wanted to go. You can’t make it in oil and gas without passion. I was so head over heals with my work I couldn’t stop.
I was still going to courthouses to do lease research pulling heavy books off high shelfs when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. I worked until the very end. I loved every minute. That’s what kept me going.
When my son was just 3 weeks old he got very sick. His health was devastated. We spent days pacing at the hospital until the word came down. He had a disease of the brain known as encephalitis. It’s a terrifying virus that eats brain tissue.
It took an extreme toll on me. My family and I made the hospital our home for 8 months while he was recovering. Somehow, I was still able to keep up with some of my contacts in the field.
After he was well, I was able to go back to the courthouse. I got lost in my research. And really, that saved my life.
The long hours at the hospital. The sleepless nights at the house. It was all so overwhelming. The courthouse became my refuge. That was the one place on earth I could forget and escape my problems for just a moment.
Your problems might not be as severe. I pray they aren’t. But know that problems will come. Obstacles will present themselves at every turn. Don’t let your plans get derailed because you don’t have the right women’s oil business plan in place.
Do the Opposite in Your Women’s Oil Business Plan
We already talked about several uphill struggles women face in the oilfield. Let’s talk about the opposite problem some women’s oil business plans have.
Some women come into the industry and assume they will automatically be successful because they’re a woman. Let’s call it like it is right now.
Being a woman might get you in the door, but it won’t keep you there! (Click to Tweet)
Don’t think that just because you’re a woman, the industry is going to roll out the red carpet. You have to earn your keep. Yes, men might be more inclined to listen to what you have to say. But you really have to know your stuff. If you don’t, you won’t make it.
Study, research, and work hard. Strive to be the best. That’s the only way you’ll make it in this industry. At the end of the day it’s all about the quality of your work. And you can’t produce quality work without doing your homework.
Attitude Is Everything
If you’re attitude isn’t right, don’t expect to get very far in this industry. You can’t play the victim, and you can’t think you’re entitled. You have to strike the balance of a professional.
A true oil pro.
Professionals overcome their limiting beliefs. Professionals do whatever it takes to succeed. Professionals don’t make excuses. If you can stick it out, you can be as successful as anyone in this industry.
Even Mr. T. Boone Pickens himself!
Your Turn
Are you a woman working in the oilfield? What obstacles have you face in executing your women’s oil business plan? What advice would you give to a young woman just getting into the industry?
Leave a comment below!
