12 Ways to Make the Most of Opportunities
Everyone who says, “I wish I had more opportunities,” doesn’t understand opportunities.
An opportunity is your chance to give before you get. An unmet need, for example, is an opportunity.
The door of opportunity swings on unexpected hinges.
Not opportunity:
- Respect.
- Recognition.
- High impact.
- Position.
- Financial gain.
Everything I listed above comes after seizing opportunities. High impact, for example, comes after you give before you get.
12 ways to make the most of opportunities:
- Go small. Don’t worry about changing your entire organization; change your team. Don’t tell me how you’re going to change the world tomorrow. Change your neighborhood today.
- Step into resistance. The point of resistance is the point of greatest opportunity. You fear most, that which matters most.
- Join forces with someone who is already making a difference.
- Worry more about giving than receiving.
- Expect a lot. Bring a lot. Low standards never produce high results.
- Embrace the power of imperfect solutions. Don’t worry about solving everything, just solve something.
- Move first to meet needs, rather than pointing fingers and explaining what others should do.
- Enrich people by helping them find and live their passion.
- Ask, “How can I help.”
- Complain less. Every time you complain, be grateful for three things.
- Develop someone else’s skills by giving them an opportunity to serve.
- Try things. Clarity comes to those who take action; confusion to the inactive.
How might leaders identify and seize opportunities?
You know, every day I think, “This blog is great, but I don’t have time to get to it.” And every day, I get to it. And every day, it’s worth it.
This is one of my all-time favorites, Dan. You are on a mission!
And I’m quite grateful.
Thanks you Stephanie. It’s a pleasure to be useful!
I too make time for it at the start of each day. Sometimes the best part is sharing it with someone else that needed the exact message it held that day. Thanks Dan.
Thanks Leanna. It’s a privilege to be part of your journey.
Good morning Dan;
I truly believe each of us is given mutiple seasons of opportunity throughout our live’s. There are but two way’s to respond.
#1. You can find a ‘Genie in a Bottle’, say abra-ka-dabra and watch your dreams. “YEA RITE!”
#2. You can prepare for opportunity. Choose a path that needs explored and “blaze a new trail.”
Opportunity is always there for those who are prepared and take the time to look for it. Make connections with with those who are where you want to go. They can pull you along. Beside’s, we’ve all gotten to our positions in life due to a ‘Hand-up’ from someone see’s our potential & share’s our passion.
Often times, the ‘Specific’ opportunities we wait and prepare for , we DO NOT receive. However, life has shown me that those who persevere through disappointment, remain true to their convictions and committed to their own personal goals’ and vision’s often find ‘New’ opportunities thanks to an attitude of (Stick-2-itness).
P.S. “I’m not certain Dan, but is
(Stick-2-itness) even a word?”
Cheers Dan & enjoy your weekend111
SGT Steve
Thank you SGT. I love the feeling of authenticity in your comment.
The idea of “seasons of opportunity,” is fascinating and mind expanding. It gives me hope that regardless of our stage in life, there’s opportunity.
Regarding (stick-2-itness) … anything to do with grammar and spelling is NOT an opportunity for me. 🙂
Dan and Sergeant Steve, Your advice and cues are always on cue. Regarding “seasons of opportunity?” Life overflows with them. All we need to do is stop, still ourselves, listen to life around and within us, and serve. Often, one day…one hour…one minute at a time. (Recently, I had the opportunity to improve a health provider’s day by simply cutting him, and his staff, a little slack.)
Painting with Bob;
Thanks for the kind words Bob. I owe what I know to the MANY, “like Dan”, who’ve ‘been there, done that’, AND “don’t mind sharing what they know…”
Thanks again
SGT Steve
Your “seven months ago” reply popped up recently. A belated thank you, for commenting. Re: Sharing. That’s what life is all about. Part of the reward for getting to enjoy a bit of space in this universe. At this time. Best wishes for a safe and peaceful holiday season. Bob
Indeed – i like seasons of opportunity too. Life is never one single chance, and it isn’t over when we turn 50 – it’s over when we lose hope in ourselves and faith in others, when we stop caring – which is a strange thought, why on earth would we give up caring when it is such an freely available gift?
Dan – good post I like your list of 12. No 2. – re-framed “Before you say no, find out why you won’t say yes!!”
Hey Croadie;
Sometime’s I believe life, and opportunity, really begins to take shape ‘AFTER’ 50…
“There’s a world of wisdom, experience, and insight to be gained from the (Rocking-Chair-Generation).” IF YOU CAN KEEP US AWAKE. “LOL”
Thanks
SGT Steve
This is one of my favorite subjects to talk about. I work in Human Resources and hear complaints all the time about no opportunities, blah, blah, blah. I’m always baffled. I agree with everything you said, Dan.
To add to #10 I would also say that we each have a responsibility when complaining. That responsibly is to find a way, even if small, to be part of the solution.
Leaders do need to empower their people to take opportunity risk. Then they need to recognize that behavior publically. Doing so will inspire others and then the wonderful things really start to happen. It’s amazing what a team of empowered employees can accomplish. It also builds self-esteem therefore happier employees and then customers.
Thanks Lucile. Be part of the solution. 🙂
You got me thinking about how we respond to failure and shortcoming. If we expect people to try things, we must also using failure and shortcoming as learning opportunity.
Love this post! I’ve gained some of my favorite mentors by serving. When Jesus anounced the beginning of his work in the tabernacle, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” I’ve used your “opportunity lens” to view his words. The best opportunities begin with giving and serving others.
Thanks Marcus. “The best opportunities begin with giving and serving others.” Bingo!
chances are all around us. It starts with being on-time
“The door of opportunity swings on unexpected hinges” . . . What a lovely way to describe opportunity!
In the kids’ movie “Robots” he says, “See a need, fill a need.” Opportunities are everywhere, everyday!
Happy Friday! : )
Quoting: “Don’t tell me how you’re going to change the world tomorrow. Change your neighborhood today.” It is absolutely critical to get on with it!!! It is insane when anyone thinks they can plan all the steps ahead of time and have them ALL work as expected for the optimum outcome expected (notice I didn’t use “perfect” – impossible)! So do some planning for sure – BUT to choose the best starting point. And then, move forward in steps with frequent self-assessment to guide the planning / doing process – ALL the way to changing the world…
Dear Dan,
Resistance is the point of greatest opportunity. This is really powerful statement. I recall many incidences when we naturally develop resistance and often overlook opportunity. We safely assume that opportunity will come again and start developing resistance. This resistance could be many times self-created and many times organisations create. In both the cases, it tests our perseverance and determination. When we move ahead to face it, we overcome it sooner or later. Self-created resistance often pose great opportunity, The reason is simple. We create our own and no one else. So, we can not blame anyone for our failure. Organisational resistance is often greater form of resistance for with there are many factors responsible. Many times, such resistances are so powerful and even you overcome it, you lose opportunity. so, it is important to evaluate what we lose and what we expect to gain.
However, self created resistance is always better to overcome. It takes will to do it. I always believe that leaders go beyond resistance because they know what lies beyond. To overcome resistance, it is even more important to overcome underlying triggers.
A Masterly writing “DAN” wonderful ,crisp as always with value to the core.
Dan,
First thing everyday, before opening my outlook i open this website and share your lessons to my team members. This is truely amazing and very very helpful. Thanks for your thoughts and info.
YES, this would be my most viewed & Fav Website in recent times.
Thank YOU!!!
Ravi.K
Thank You!! 🙂 It’s a pleasure to serve.
The door of opportunity swings on unexpected hinges. I like that