Today without a doubt is the greatest time ever to capitalize on new and exciting opportunities. If you take the time to stop to look around, oftentimes the thing you are searching for is right in front of you.
Whether it’s starting a business with zero capital or being able to connect with people around the globe for services you are looking for. In today’s digital age opportunities are literally everywhere worldwide, so what are you waiting for?
Today I wanted to take a dive into opportunities. So, what exactly is an opportunity? The Oxford dictionary describes opportunity as - a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
This could be anything related to any circumstances in your life. For example, getting a lead for a new job, a promotion, making new friends, networking, travelling to new places, gaining bigger and better life experiences and much much more.
I've had many opportunities in life so far. The choice you make at each crossroad can have a big impact on you and your future. When I was starting out in aviation with little to no real-life experience. I heard of a decent lead from a friend for a company near our school. He said something like "oh ya I know the manager there, he is a friend and recently said they are hiring." I thought it could be a good opportunity for me to get a foot in the door. Unfortunately, I decided to wait it out a bit as it “didn’t seem to be the right time”. A while later when I looked into the position it was already filled - opportunity taken.
There is never a perfect time and place to conquer something or take a risk. With risk comes reward and that’s why the ones who take calculated risks get rewarded handsomely at times.
Whether you have missed an opportunity for a job like the one I just described or you decided to jump on it and move ahead with full steam determines where you are headed in life (from my experience).
People who wait and procrastinate will be waiting for that “perfect time”. The time that doesn’t actually exist in real life… The trick to capitalize on opportunities is to be able to see them in the first place.
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Many people (including me) from time to time are totally oblivious of the opportunities right in front of our noses! The hustle and bustle of the busy lifestyle takes over and leaves us tired and cranky each Friday night after the weeks grind.
In order to capitalize on an opportunity you need to take the time to take a few deep breaths and look around. Notice what’s happening around you, talk to your friends and family about others they may know to get you in the position you want. Be in the moment and see what could help you out along the way.
If you start digging deep enough and look hard enough you will find what you want - eventually. It may take time, effort, and persistence but eventually the right opportunity will arise. And from my experience, what takes time and effort usually is something that will pay off big in the end.
If you notice opportunities from time to time but don’t jump on any of them you are going to miss out. Whether it’s an investment, promotion, trip of a lifetime, or following your dreams. Eventually you will feel regret and be unsatisfied with your decision.
The next step to winning on opportunities is to take action! Taking action can often be the hardest part. Fears are often the beasts that are holding us back. It could be the fear of failure, success, age, time, or even what your friends and family say. These fears usually hold us dead in our tracks, preventing us from take that first step.
When quick action is taken on any opportunity I can assure you, you will have many more doors open for you in life. Jumping at big opportunities can literally alter the course of your life for the better or the worse.
Too often people just sit there and do nothing. We all want to succeed, we all want to be better than yesterday, so why do so many sit on their couch and watch Netflix night after night? Tired, bored, and unsatisfied.
Action is hard and uncomfortable. Some muscles you're going to have to start working are sacrifice and discipline. I was able to work on these a lot from weightlifting at the gym. Thousands of hours of repetition, waking up early, and eating right shaped these into my life.
If you’re ever short on discipline, start by following a strict 5 day a week training plan. This will no doubt keep you more accountable in life all while getting you into better physical shape! Surround yourself with people who are disciplined and follow strict health regimes.
There was a huge opportunity I jumped at when I was 18 years old. I was fresh out of school, working full-time looking for a real career. A real-life adventure to go out on my own and be independent. With the help of my parents - thanks mom and dad :), I was able to take a huge leap and move across Canada to pursue flying Helicopters.
I had never been to British Columbia before, never mind even in a helicopter! I had done some research and knew I didn’t want to follow an ordinary path like many others. I was so set on my mission that I had to leave and create the life I wanted.
I feel like the opportunities like this that come at you in life have to be taken seriously. I could have thought it was impossible to accomplish. The amount of money I needed was very high, I didn’t know 1 person anywhere even close to the area I was moving to, I was young and inexperienced. But, I didn’t let any of that negative chatter hold me back. Sometimes you just need to trust the process and jump, because if you don’t you may regret it for the rest of your life.
I always love referring to this quote from the one and only Ferris Bueller. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Months and years can go by like a matter of days. You look back and wonder where that decade went?
Opportunities are everywhere! Take the time to look around for them, oftentimes they are right in front of you. Action is your best friend, learn to take immediate action on new and exciting opportunities. The first step is often the most important to build the momentum you need!
You will always feel some sort of fear, but the time is now and it may never come again. Make sure you build your sacrifice and discipline muscles! These are so important to moving in the right direction towards what you want in life.
Lastly, do what you want and follow your heart. Life’s too short to be a fake or follow the pack. Take the road less travelled, it will be a much more exciting trip then you could have ever imagined.
Chris M Wilson
Chris M Wilson is a career coach, entrepreneur, blogger, author, creator, and doer. He is passionate about helping people leave the job they hate and jump into their dream careers!
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