Rizwan Javaid

Ready or Not, Seize the Opportunity!

Hear that? It’s opportunity knocking on your door.

You’re not ready you say. You’ve been wanting this exact thing but you feel like you need to be prepared and to be ready for it. Today isn’t the right time, you think to yourself. The negative voices in your head all of a sudden come alive and flood you with reasons why you should avoid the situation altogether but deep down in your heart, you know this is exactly what you have been preparing for. This is your opportunity knocking. You realize this is your moment. Will you seize the opportunity?

Are you ready to seize the opportunity whenever and whatever shape it presents itself to you or will you give in to the negative emotions of fear and panic?

Recently, I found myself in a similar situation at my office. I have been working on improving my public speaking skills for a few years now so I love to find ways to practice speaking in front of others. We were having a new hire orientation at work and the person representing my group had a last-minute emergency and couldn’t do the presentation. As the organizers scrambled to find a replacement. My co-workers knew about my interest in public speaking so they tapped me to present to the new hires. The only catch was that I was to present in one hour.

Without hesitation I said, yes I’ll do it!

This decision caused me to go through a range of emotions beginning with surprise, dread, impostor syndrome, excitement, and then finally landing on panic.

As my nerves calmed down I saw the opportunity that was presented to me. This was exactly what I needed. If I’m to be a good public speaker than I need to practice in any situation and not just

—-

A Chat with Opportunity.

Me:  Oh, hey, you’re Opportunity. Long time fan, I love your work. It’s been a while since we met.

Opportunity:  Thanks for having me. Yeah, I was in the neighborhood so I figured I would stop by and pay you a visit.

Me: Thanks for the visit. Any particular reason you’re here?

Opportunity: Yeah, it showtime for you. Are you ready?

Me: Wait, what?

Opportunity: You know that thing you wanted to do to help you grow, well it’s time for you to do it. This is your chance.

Me: Right now? But I haven’t prepared for it. I’m not ready!

Opportunity: Not ready? No one is ever ready. I just show up and either you take my hand and we ride into the sunset or I leave right now.

So what’s it going to be?

Me: I’ll take it. This is exactly what I’ve been wanting. This is what will help me grow. Let’s go!

Opportunity: Great choice! I knew you would do it. Now go out there and make me proud.

—-

No doubt you have also had the same conversation in your head when presented with an opportunity you have been preparing for. These opportunities are the result of your hard work and putting in hours of practice and a little luck of being at the right place at the right time. Jump on the opportunity. Say yes to it. Dive into it without hesitation and you will be rewarded. You will learn and grow. The more you open yourself to opportunity and say yes to it when it arrives, the faster you will reach your goals.

Do the work ahead of time so you will be ready to seize your opportunity in whatever form it presents itself to you.

Your future depends on it!

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