Summary

The article discusses the nature of opportunity, emphasizing that it often comes disguised as hard work and requires preparation, focus, and the right mindset to be seized effectively.

Abstract

The concept of opportunity is explored in depth, challenging the common perception that it is glamorous and instantly recognizable. Instead, the article suggests that opportunity is the result of diligent work and preparation, often overlooked due to its mundane appearance. It argues that success is not an overnight phenomenon but the outcome of consistent effort over time. The article defines opportunity as a chance to engage in meaningful action and provides criteria for evaluating whether an opportunity is worth pursuing, such as its potential to develop skills or character and the balance of its benefits against the investment of time. The importance of time management is highlighted, distinguishing between chronological time (Kronos) and the opportune moment (Kairos). The article also touches on the Opportunity Statue as a metaphor for seizing the moment before it passes. Strategies for capitalizing on opportunities include avoiding time-wasting activities, maintaining focus on one task at a time, overcoming fear by breaking down goals, and surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals. The conclusion encourages readers to reflect on their current trajectory and consider whether they are prepared to embrace opportunities as they arise.

Opinions

Opportunity is often missed because it is associated with hard work and is not always presented in an attractive or obvious manner.
Success is a misnomer for what is typically a long process of dedication and perseverance, involving many early mornings and late nights.
The true reward for good work is the chance to do more work, indicating a cycle of continuous improvement and opportunity.
Opportunities should be evaluated based on their potential to foster personal growth, the value of their benefits relative to the time invested, and their alignment with one's goals.
Time is an irreplaceable resource, and its value should be recognized when considering the cost of opportunities.
The ancient Greek concepts of Kronos (chronological time) and Kairos (the right, opportune moment) are relevant to understanding when to act on opportunities.
The Opportunity Statue serves as a reminder that opportunities have a temporal nature and can quickly slip away if not seized.
Entrepreneurs and creatives are advised to focus on one idea at a time and not to interpret postponement as a rejection but as a prompt to revisit the opportunity later.
Fear can be a barrier to seizing opportunities, often stemming from a lack of preparation, and can be mitigated by breaking goals into smaller, actionable steps.
Surrounding oneself with motivated and supportive individuals can significantly influence one's own success and ability to capitalize on opportunities.
The article concludes with a call to action, urging readers to be mindful of the opportunities they are currently cultivating and to be ready to act when the moment is right.

Opportunity: An Exhilarating Dance or a Missed Grief?

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work — Thomas A. Edison

We think of opportunity as glorious, and it is, but not like we give it credit for being. It isn’t something that dresses up, is painted like a masterpiece, or is suddenly in the spotlight.

Opportunity comes because of hard work. It doesn’t come to many because of a sudden invitation. Overnight success is a misguided concept. Success happens because we work many late nights and early mornings.

The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more. — Jonas Salk

Success comes because we work relentlessly.

Success comes because we’ve worked our fingers raw, rolled in the dirt, and someone else notices something still shining through the grungy dread of it all.

Success is where preparation and opportunity meet — Bobby Unser

Before we go too far, let’s define opportunity. I like the definition from the Cambridge Dictionary best.

Opportunity: an occasion or situation which makes it possible to do something that you want to do or have to do.

Let’s keep it simple.

Opportunity: the chance to do something.

Probably something favorable, making the work that goes into the opportunity worthwhile.

How do you decide if an opportunity is worth taking?

Will it develop skill or character?
Are the benefits worth the time and trouble?
How much time will it take?

A lot of things we say “yes” to are answered in form of cost. Not just monetary, but also at the cost of time. Once time is spent it cannot return. Time has standalone value.

There are 86,400 seconds in a day.

The number is high and seconds tick by quickly.

Kronos is a word you use when you talk about the clock. Words like “chronology” and “chronological” are derived from it. It is a word implying Order.

Kairos is a word for “time”, but it can be translated as “opportunity” or “chance”.

Let us consider the Opportunity Statue. I can’t find a royalty-free graphic to show it to you so put on your imagination hat and let’s manifest it in our minds together.

It is a statue that exists from Ancient Greece. Picture a white-ish common Greek God-like statue. It has long flowing hair over the face but is bald in the back. It represents opportunity. Opportunity is exciting and full of possibility from the front unless it has passed by, then it is bald — empty.

How do you avoid the regret of missed opportunity?

Wasting time

You can spend countless hours watching Netflix or on social media. It’s not likely those things will get you closer to achieving your goals. Opportunities are likely disappearing before you’ve ever noticed them.

Focus

If you are an entrepreneur or creative you are full of ideas. Ideas, the good ones, need to be stored while you pick one at a time. Focus on it until completion, then move on to another. Waiting doesn’t have to mean “no”. It can simply mean “later”.

Focusing on too many things at one time means no one idea gets completed well, or at all.

Fear

Fear creeps in when we don’t feel prepared. Many times it’s because we haven’t properly managed the task. Jon Acuff is known for saying cut the goal in half. Break the goal down into minuscule parts if you have to until you can act. Momentum, even in small steps is progress, and progress eliminates fear one step at a time.

Hang out with like-minded people

You are the average of the people you spend the most time with, so says Maarten van Doorn. I believe it. Who I hang with effects what I do. Being around people who are go-getters makes a difference. We can pursue different goals while holding each other accountable to meet personal goals.

Eliminate negative people from your life. Find a support system or a mastermind group. This network is critical to your success.

Wrapping it up

Once opportunity has passed you can’t grab it from behind. A leader makes good sense of time and leaves enough margin to collect an opportunity as it approaches.

You will become what you are becoming right now.

Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor. — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

(unless the music of opportunity has stopped playing).

Are you pleased with what you are becoming or do you need to make a change? Is it time to dance a new dance or play a new song?

What’s your next step?

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