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Pondering: Opportunity โ€” What are you waiting for?

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Definition of OPPORTUNITY

: a favorable juncture of circumstances

: a good chance for advancement or progress

This is how Merriam-Webster defines opportunity. How do you define it? Better yet, what do you do when an opportunity presents itself? Many opportunities require snap decisions and others require some sort of change on your part to make it happen.

Are you prepared for YOUR next opportunity?

โ€œWe often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like workโ€
โ€• Thomas A. Edison

Be prepared to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty. This is life โ€” and it isn't always easy or pretty. There are very few people in this world who don't have to work hard every single day to make things happen in their life. Many times people look at others and say “they are so lucky!” One person I worked with in my last job said this to me all the time however; I was one of the first people to arrive at the office and always the last to leave. I had a very complicated job that I loved which required extreme attention to detail as well as many tasks with strict government deadlines. My luck” was the responsibility I feel to myself to work hard and really kick butt.

Did I get noticed by management? Yes, my own hard work created the opportunity. I also had perfect reviews and great salary increases. More luck? Nope.

โ€œI'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of itโ€

โ€• Thomas Jefferson

Being afraid of a new challenge or circumstance is what stops many people from stepping forward or saying yes. If you want something SAY YES! Say that you are interested. Don't wait for someone to come to you and spell it all out. Make your own opportunity by accepting responsibility or helping someone with a task on a job that you are interested in. No social media person in your company, maybe there could be if you came up with a plan, talked to your boss and expressed interest!

โ€œShallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.โ€
โ€• Ralph Waldo Emerson

Create the action that will give you the reaction that you desire. Many people have regrets for missed opportunities that someone else grabbed. Don't let this be you.

Be the one to knock on the door!

Is there something in your life that you are missing or want? What action can you start to create your opportunity? Any regrets for missed opportunities or situations that you wish you acted on sooner? Please share with me.

Featured image courtesy of Steve-h – away until Jan 10 via Creative Commons.
Article by Peg Fitzpatrick

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11 Comments

  1. Nice reminder that opportunity abounds and we just need to look up from our current moment to see it..

  2. I love the quotes and the examples. ย Thanks! ย 

    I recently took a “chance” but there were so many steps of hard work preceding it that it worked out well. ย Isn’t luck when opportunity meets hard work?

  3. Rockin’ Peggy!
    Always on target with just the right blend of inspiration and motivation.
    Thanks!
    Ted

  4. Life lesson.ย  Accept responsibility for your actions. Very few are truly the victims of circumstance. If you are looking for career advancement, look and act like the positionย  you aspire to.ย  Its not that difficult.

    These days, longevity alone does not mean automatic promotion.ย  Anyone can show up every day, punch the clock, work their 8, and go home. How will your superiors know your true value if you don’t demonstrate it?

    Cheers Peggy!

  5. Excellent point Tony! That is a whole other pondering topic I think – thanks for the thoughts & for getting me thinking.

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