Opportunity Knocked But No One Answered the Door
Let’s focus today on the neglected opportunity.
How many times have you missed an opportunity because you weren’t prepared? Perhaps it wasn’t until later that the thought occurred to you: “I should have said…” or “I should have done…” Maybe you didn’t have a business card with you. Or, related to the first point, you just didn’t have the right words to say?
Sometimes we make excuses. Well, if I wasn’t with such and such, then I would have definitely… Or, if I wasn’t running late…
The truth is that, for many people, being in “marketing mode” just isn’t their standard operating procedure. People don’t think to sell themselves. So, they miss opportunities.
Ever wonder why some people are successful and others aren’t? It’s not necessarily that they’re smarter or more pleasant to be around, but that they were better at seizing opportunities that presented themselves.
It can be difficult. Days, weeks, even months may go by and no opportunities present themselves. People grow so accustomed to not having opportunities that, when an opportunity does finally present itself, they mistake it for a mirage–they can hardly believe such an opportunity would come to them! And, so they dismiss it. They ignore it. They pass it by simply because they don’t believe it’s true.
Such an attitude may even grow to the point where people fail to notice opportunities that are presented to them. We see this kind of thing happening in situation comedies, where a character wishes for some type of opportunity which finally arises and is clearly visible to the viewer, but the character completely misses it, often brushing aside the very character that is prepared to give them what they want. It’s funny on TV, but sad when it happens in real life. And, it happens far too often.
That’s part of the reason to have a positive outlook–negativity can blind you to such opportunities. Some people feel optimism is a way of setting themselves up for disappointment, but it can also clear the mind to better notice opportunities. Pessimism focuses the mind on obstacles and challenges, so you are more likely to see those than to see opportunities. This isn’t wacky New Age mumbo-jumbo; this is just common sense psychology. Remember in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, when Luke enters the cave that is strong in the dark side of the Force, Yoda cautions him that he will find what he takes with him. Such is the way of walking through the cave of life too: you will find what you carry with you. If your mind carries thoughts of obstacles, that is what it will be most likely to take notice of. If your mind carries thoughts of opportunities, that is what it will find most easy to spot. Be open to opportunities!
It is also the reason to be always prepared to market yourself. Whether you are selling a product or a service, be prepared. Perhaps you’re single and looking for a mate, be prepared. Maybe you’d like a new job–be prepared!
Many of us have multiple self-marketing needs. Perhaps you need to sell a service and find a mate. Maybe you need to promote your blog and find a new job. Whatever your needs, make a list of them. For each one, develop and memorize a tagline or soundbyte to market it. Then, be prepared to expand on it. If you have a short amount of time, you’ve got a short tagline or soundbyte to get across quickly. If you have more time, you can discuss the matter in greater detail. That gives you multiple methods of seizing an opportunity.
Believe. Act. Achieve!
Nice post. The thing is that it can be hard to distinguish opportunities from scams or tricks at times! I think that’s the reason more people are cautious about opportunities and would think twice before approaching it..
Marketing myself in person is a very difficult thing (shy beyond belief). But I have business cards, a tagline and a very short sound byte ready just incase the opportunity presents itself.