Some folks wouldn’t recognize opportunity if it knocked them down and jumped up and down on their chest. I have a hard time relating to that problem in that I am just the opposite; I see opportunities everywhere. What’s going on here, I wondered. What’s the difference between those of us that are blind to it and those of us that see it everywhere?
If you’re like me and see opportunities on every street corner, you probably share some of the problems I have. One of those problems is deciding on which opportunity to go for. Another problem is resisting the urge to spread yourself too thin because you can’t resist taking on yet one more exciting venture. Some of you that see opportunities everywhere also have the real nasty habit of starting lots of things, but finishing none of them. (Not a problem for me, thank God.) You start one thing, but another looks easier, cheaper, better and or more fun so you jump ship.
I have to admit, my problem is spreading myself too thin, but I’m working on not doing that. It’s a little like trying to take every road possible to a destination. The likelihood you’ll ever get where you want to go is slim. We’ll cover more on this topic later, but for now let’s take a look at why people fail to see opportunities.
Belief
If you’re one of my kids who don’t see opportunities, you may believe that opportunities are only for other people. Maybe you believe you aren’t smart enough, rich enough or deserving of opportunities. Of course, you’re totally wrong in these assumptions, but it doesn’t matter one whit whether you’re wrong. Until you change your belief, you won’t be able to recognize opportunity when it knocks at your door.
Fear
Opportunities are usually accompanied by elements of discomfort. Maybe they involve you (gasp) actually having to talk to a stranger. And maybe that stranger is someone you perceive as being better than you in some way. Maybe the opportunity requires you to spend some money. You say, “What? You mean I have to spend money on something that may fail. I can’t afford to risk that.” (Think fear of failure.) Then there’s always the possibility you’re too comfortable where you are and the idea of change terrifies you even if that change markedly improves your life.
If you currently have trouble seeing the unlimited opportunities around you every day, take a moment to try and understand why you can’t see them. Is it because of the way you believe? Is it due to fear? Maybe even a combination of both.
Mama Vic wants all her kids to succeed at whatever they choose, but she knows that can’t happen as long as they set up barriers to their success. The only way to tear down these barriers is to understand their cause. If you have barriers that prevent you from recognizing opportunities, you are the one who set them up and only you can tear them down. However, there are resources available to help you do this. Check out my resources category as a place to start.
If you liked this post, be sure and comment below and spread the word to others that may benefit from it. Share with us ways you have learned to recognize opportunities or overcome fear.
