I admit it. I’ve been moping a little bit lately.
I know, I know – I shouldn’t mope. It’s rather unbecoming, quite foolish, and highly ineffective. Frankly, if one of my kids acted the way I have been lately, I’d have sent them to their room until they had a better attitude! So I’m working on a much-needed attitude adjustment. And to do that, rather than focus on what isn’t happening, I’ve decided to think about ways to positively seize opportunities that are happening.
Maybe you find yourself frustrated over a work situation, personal relationship or financial challenge. Maybe you’re disappointed about opportunities that rarely seem to come your way. Maybe you feel stuck and know something needs to change, but you’re not sure what, and definitely not sure how. Or maybe you find yourself in an exciting, amazing time when you’re overwhelmed by the possibilities, and aren’t sure how to choose between them all. Wherever you might find yourself, these five “Seize the Opportunity” steps might help you move onto the next level by affecting positive change!
Make the most of existing situations. It’s easy for me to set my eyes on the stars and start dreaming about my big goals, and lose sight of what’s right in front of me. While I think it’s great to dream, and put feet to those dreams, we cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in frustration and disappointment when those dreams don’t materialize as quickly as we wish. Each of us, no matter our dreams, are involved in little building-block opportunities now. I have to remind myself that sometimes the absolute best way to seize future opportunities, is to do my absolute best work in my current opportunities.- Look for alternatives. Sometimes our first-choice opportunity isn’t an option, and we need to seek out other possibilities. I’m in the midst of doing that right now. Last week Michael Hyatt, the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers tweeted about a workshop in May put on by Ken Davis. This three-day speaker’s workshop features intensive instruction and coaching, daily opportunities to speak and be evaluated, and more. I can’t tell you how much I want to attend this workshop, but realistically it just isn’t possible for us to afford the registration costs plus airline ticket right now. So I’m searching for closer, and cheaper options. These alternatives may not be my first choice, but they’re better than doing nothing. If you’re first choice option isn’t available to you right now, reevaluate why you’re drawn to that opportunity, and seek out alternative options that are close. And remember, just because your first-choice option might not become a reality now, doesn’t mean it won’t in the future.
- Expect the unexpected. This morning I received a very unexpected and lovely invitation. In the midst of gray clouds of frustration, a ray of sunshine came bursting through, and I was encouraged and uplifted. You never know what’s around the next bend…it may be more of the same, but it might be a great surprise. A new opportunity you hadn’t even considered or hoped for just might surprise you tomorrow!
- Grow now. As you wait for new opportunities, use your waiting time well. Take classes. Join an organization. Read. Learn. Grow. Improve. Whatever it is you dream about doing tomorrow, create ways today can be a stepping stone in that direction. Don’t waste the waiting time, but rather build in purpose and significance to it.
- Wait expectantly. It goes without saying that as you consider your big dream, you’re seriously thinking and praying about it. You know in your heart that this dream has your name all over it! Don’t give up. Keep the faith. Maintain hope. Wait expectantly for it to happen. Because one day it will happen. Perhaps not immediately. Perhaps almost imperceptibly. But step-by-step as you walk in faith, full of confidence, true to who you are, transforming frustration, seizing opportunities, you will get there! And I will get there.
I don’t know about you, but that truth is encouraging. It changes my attitude and reframes my focus and energy. I will choose today to embrace and seize opportunities that surround me each and every day, as I prepare and dream about tomorrow!
