President Message

Greetings, Fellow Members and Operators

by Mike Norris

This article finds us in a battle between summer heat and scarce rainfall, and currently, it appears the heat is whipping the rainfall. It is encouraging when the weatherman reports that today is going to be 10 degrees cooler than yesterday. Then they report the high for the day is still going to be 100 degrees. And no rain is expected in the 10-day forecast. Drought contingency plans and water conservation implementation are common across the state. It has been reported that some water supplies are estimating that based on current usage, and without the blessing of abundant rainfall, the entity will have water for another 120 days. Please join me in prayer for widespread rainfall for Texas. Developing and maintaining a positive mindset is essential in reaching goals. Negative thoughts will come, but the successful person finds a way to stay motivated and continue to try different approaches to the problem. “Remember, when things look bad, and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. ‘Cause if you lose your head and you give up, then you neither live nor win. That’s just the way it is.” – The Outlaw Josey Wales

What are the distractions that are keeping you from your goals? Experts say that you should make a list of items that take up your time. Maybe it is the television or social media? Maybe it is your friends? Perhaps your hobbies include hunting, fishing, boating, etc.? Can you turn off the television, computer, or smartphone for the hour you need to study? Can you tell your friends no or maybe later if they invite you over? Prioritizing and changing habits will lead you to success.

It is important to focus on your goals but do not obsess over them. Remaining motivated is very important, but don’t forget to have fun and include family and friends when you accomplish one of your goals.

I want to ask you to remember Annual School, September 26th – 28th, 2022, in Corpus Christi. If budgets allow you to be part of this tradition, please join your fellow operators and me for beneficial training in a great environment. It is up to us to keep the traditions of Annual School and in-person training thriving.

Knowledge and Experience are beautiful things.

I pray that 2022 brings good health, prosperity, and purpose.

TWUA President Mike Norris

“You bring about what you think about.” “Our greatest weakness lies in GIVING Up. The most certain way to SUCCEED is always to try just one more time – Thomas Edison.” Success means different things to different people. Success does not come without putting in the effort. Unless you were born into royalty or your family is blessed with generational wealth, success boils down to hard work.

What does commitment and motivation mean to you? Do you have specific goals? What are you willing to do, or how committed are you to your dreams? Some might say I want a new pickup, but my current personal bank account is stretched pretty thin. How bad do you want the new truck? Bad enough to pick up extra shifts. Volunteer for on-call or weekend work. Bad enough to work a second part-time job? Perhaps another way to look at this is, is your goal or desire a want or a need, and are you putting forth the needed effort?

How bad do you want to become licensed by the state? What is holding you back from advancing your current license? Do you want this success bad enough to devote one hour each day to reading and understanding technical manuals? Do you ask a co-worker or supervisor if you have difficulty comprehending a treatment process or how a device functions? Do you use the computer and read about the item? There are still operators today that pay out of their pocket for training and testing. Again, how bad do you want a license or advance a license?