It all starts with opportunity.
It’s about the choices we make on a daily basis.
We are all presented with opportunities every day whether we see them or not.
Some people are lucky enough to have opportunities served up to them on the platter of life not having to work very hard for them. And even then, these people may not realise their opportunities and let them sail away.
While others are given very little or nothing by way of opportunity, yet they are determined to make the most of their abilities and surrounding circumstance to create and realise opportunity where none may have existed before.
Sometimes opportunities are disguised as setbacks, major losses and betrayals that give us the momentum to change our circumstances for the better. Sometimes they are a little note of gratitude and encouragement that lights the fire of ambition and purpose. Sometimes they are boring mundane things or small irritants that finally capture our attention and tell us that something has to give.
However opportunity arrives on our doorsteps, we would be foolish to think our success in realising opportunities happens in isolation and is completely under our own control.
In a world of hyper individualism, it is good to remember that we are all part of an interconnected system of relationships, circumstances, communities and societies and that we didn’t get there, wherever there is, all by ourselves. If you look behind the scenes, many of those so called ‘self-made billionaires’ were fortunate to be supported by wealthy parents or other connexions who backed their ideas.
We know that life isn’t always fair and much of what we have is often due to the luck of circumstance.
It’s very easy to make judgements about others – right or wrong – through our own filters and perceptions. We all fall into these traps. However, the skills that work in human-centred selling, such as active listening, questioning skills, and reflection, are useful to really hear and understand what others are saying and what is important to them, whether we agree with them or not. It’s a reminder to be respectful. It also shows us –in the business environment- whether opportunities exist for mutual co-operation or not.
Whether it’s our own personal or professional journey, whether we are in sales and business, or serving our communities, we do have choices to create new opportunities, to build viable, prosperous mutually beneficial relationships, create new pathways.
And even when no opportunity seems evident, that is when we need to stretch our horizons, shift our perspectives, open our minds and look at how we can create opportunity instead.
Reading widely and becoming a small ‘w’ worldly person help in the journey to be open to opportunity every day. The opportunity to improve, be better as individuals, teams, businesses and societies. The opportunity to do good work and be of service to others.
Opportunity is about defining what our lives mean to each of us and not conforming to what others say life should be. It’s all about opportunity. Be a bit adventurous and go out on a limb… opportunity is always right in front of you.
Author: Sue Barrett, www.salesessentials.com