Carl F. Thelin

THEY PRINT MONEY EVERY DAY IN WASHINGTON

            I learned that from businessmen, not from R&D engineers. Now I pass it along to young R & D people to encourage them to be innovative – and not shun risk. As an example, consider this: When I purchased a new computer program the other day, the clerk said, that $15.00-off coupon expired last weekend.  Oh well, I replied, “It is only money. They print money every day in Washington. It is just a tool for buying things. Money is a renewable resource. Time is priceless, and talent is extremely valuable.”

            TIME

            I was not timely when I went to the store with an expired discount coupon. No amount of effort would enable me to roll back the calendar to accomplish that saving. Nor can I retract back a hurtful statement I uttered to someone. Not at any price. I never get the chance to relive and undo any mistakes I later learn that I made. When I miss an excellent opportunity to invest in something valuable, I lose it forever. There is no price big enough to buy an hour of replay in real life.

            TALENT                    

            Businessmen and researchers know that talent is extremely valuable. An employee or a friend who has the talent to do the right thing at the right time is one you really cherish. It is hard, especially these days of the “me generation”, to find trustworthy, skilled employees. Some talent is natural and instinctive. It appears the instant your need it.  However, most of what we call talent is accumulated experience. Experience is something gained by the process of doing things while you learn what is the best way to do something. In scientific research, we say that experimentation is the process of making all the mistakes there are to do; then what is left is the right thing to do.  Again we see that time is priceless. You can not get ten years worth of practice at refining your talent overnight at any price.

            The Bible helps to put material things in perspective with this wonderful statement.

I Corinthians   13:13 But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

            Faith is a matter of confidence or trust. You need to have confidence that you are doing the right thing. Trust that your leader and mentor has inspired and trained you correctly. Assume that your coworkers are skillful and loyal.

            Hope is the anticipation of the future reward - something you will see after the passage of time, which you are powerless to hurry.

            Love is like talent, is it not? Love at first sight is instantaneous like an instinctive talent. Love can also be something that you develop over time with the experience of knowing someone. With love, you can take the time to build trust in the one person you hope will be with you forever.