Opportunities can be steppingstones, but they
neither appear to you in a manner that is easy to recognize nor reaches out to
you at a time when it is most convenient. To recognize and take hold of an
opportunity you must do both looking inwardly as well as looking outwardly. Opportunities
are steppingstones when you spot them early; seize them before it reaches out
of your hand. Opportunities are an advantage when you are fully prepared and
ready to make the most of it whenever it comes your way. Here are some tips to
recognize and seize opportunities and use them as steppingstones to reach the
next level.
“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” ― Abraham LincolnOptimism in Uncertainty:
How confident do you feel when you know there
is uncertainty and turbulence is ahead of you? It is easy to thrive in
stability, but it takes courage and confidence to steer through during
challenging times. Therefore, find the right source of inner strength that will
give you the belief and optimism needed to face challenges head-on. Fine tune
your mind to be optimistic amidst uncertainty and turbulence, keep a check on
your confidence, is it increasing or declining.
In the confluence of dramatic and swift
changes there are both opportunities and challenges. It is up to you to discern
what the right move is, to make the right responses, and to ensure obstacles
are converted into opportunities. Understand where there is a natural advantage
and potential growth opportunities that suits you as well as be thoughtful in
identifying challenges that must be overcome to ensure growth and success.
Recognizing
Opportunities:
Opportunities are not obvious enough to all,
but they appear as good as the full moon to those who have clarity of what they
are looking for. Therefore, be clear and specific about what you want and why
you want them. Studies show that specific planning will help your brain to
identify and seize opportunity when it arises, increasing your chance of
success by 300%, says Heidi
Grant. Have an open mind, explore how your
specifications fit to an opportunity rather than expecting an opportunity to fit
your requirements. Convert the clarity and specifics of what you are looking
for (goals / priorities) into actions - when and where you take action ahead of
opportunities coming your way.
Don’t get so preoccupied with routines that
you are blind to recognize opportunities or neglect emerging opportunities over
current preoccupation. Opportunities are most often an open door to get you out
of your comfort zone, because opportunities come with its own challenges. To
take challenges head on, you must take preventive measures than corrective
measures.
Better-Prepared
or Under-Prepared:
Being ready and fully prepared means whenever
an opportunity comes is your convenience, positioning yourself correctly to
take advantage of an opportunity whenever it appears. It requires foresight and
proactiveness. It is about looking inward to identify gaps and shortfalls that
will hinder taking full advantage of an opportunity whenever it appears as much
as looking outward to recognize an opportunity that is coming your way.
In
an environment where competition is fiercer-than-ever, the winners will be
those who can position themselves at the forefront of change, set right
priorities that are essential for the future and fully commit to it, take
deliberate steps to improve resilience against possible disruptions, proactively
build capacity to grow in areas that you believe are most important for the future,
discern where and how to innovate, identify what skills and talents to be
acquired, understand the changes likely to occur, foresee risk and be ready to
tackle them effectively. Look within for getting ready; identify the areas for
improvement, prioritize areas for investing time and resources.
Be
optimistic in uncertainty, have clarity and an open mind, be proactive and have
the foresight to make the most of every opportunity that may come your way. May
God Almighty bless the days ahead of you, be resolved and always be ready so
that every opportunity can be turned into a steppingstone to reach the next level.
Copyright © 2013 Sudhakar I. Prabu
