How to recognize and maximize opportunities

BY DANIEL COLE

You’ve probably heard the saying, “An opportunity once lost can never be regained.” Well, that’s not entirely true. Opportunities are always around us whether we recognize them or not. They come in seasons, and they come in different forms.

The opportunity you missed five, ten years ago will come again but in a different pattern or form. The challenge we often have with opportunities is our lack of readiness, recognition and not making the most of it when they arrive. While it is believed that opportunities hide in problems, the truth is, not all opportunities present themselves as problems. However, we must be able to recognize opportunities when they come knocking, irrespective of the form they present themselves.

It is better to position for an opportunity than to run after it. The great Abraham Lincoln once says, “I will study and prepare myself, and someday my chance will come.” And indeed, his chance came. The American Civil Rights leader, Whitney Young was right, “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” Sometimes in life, “It is not those who chase after the ball that score the goal, it is those who are rightfully positioned to get the passes. Readiness and right positioning are the key.”

Did you know that one person’s problem is another person’s opportunity? Doctors exist because people are sick. Educators exist to teach literacy. Police exist because of the lack of lawlessness. The point is, most of the problems in our society are opportunities in disguise. If you give yourself wholly to solving problems, your opportunities are limitless. Your ability to solve problems will bring tremendous opportunities to your life.

Few of the thoughts I will be sharing may not seem conventional or somewhat appealing, but these are proven principles that have worked over time. How can you recognize an opportunity?

When you have the privilege to serve or work for a person with good social standing or a person who has more influence than you, that’s an opportunity. Opportunities hide in service to people. The key to greatness is service. Don’t underestimate the power of one single recommendation from a person of influence. Sometimes in life, people don’t rise to the level of their brilliance or ingenuity they rise to the level of the quality of relationships around them. Life will reward you with opportunities if you have diligently served people of worth or your organization. So, when you have a privilege to serve, to give your best, don’t take it for granted. Seize that opportunity and maximize it.

Also, opportunities hide in giving. I understand this idea may not seem sensational or appealing, but as previously mentioned, these principles may not be mainstream ideas, but they’ve been tested and proven to be true. The Good Book, the Bible says, “Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!” Proverbs 18:16. Gifts are seeds you sow into people’s emotional bank account. Sometimes, it can be material and sometimes it can be a kind gesture. When you have the privilege to give, do it, it always open doors of opportunity.

The ability and the discipline to learn new skills prepare and position you for better opportunities later in life. Learn new languages, learn how to drive, learn how to swim. You may not see its usefulness at the moment, but don’t forget, readiness is the key.

Avoid places and people without opportunities. Life is too short to spend your waking hours in places that do not advance your dream. When the season of an opportunity is over, move on. Remember, while we look forward to “That Opportunity” we often forget that every waking hour of our life, is an opportunity to right the wrongs of yesterday. Make each day count. Today is an opportunity.