Opportunity. We all love that word. It is a word that inspires hope, as well as something we can wish upon to make our lives better. It is a single event that will smash into us, enlighten us, and take us away on its fluffy-feathered wings where we will live happily ever after. Unfortunately, that is not the case for most of us.

What real opportunities are

Real opportunities are like the sales people that knock on our door, or call us while we eat dinner at night. We don’t want to open the door because we are irritated, we think we know how it is going to pan out, or we are too scared to say ‘no’ when they ask us a question.

Real opportunities are the ones that we don’t immediately see. They come by at the most unexpected, mostly inopportune, times. We are so obsessed with other distractions or our own opinions that we normally miss the majority of opportunity that falls across our path.

When we do see opportunities, we treat them the same way as we treat the inappropriate sales people – with disdain and a bad attitude. Our attitude when opportunity presents itself determines whether that opportunity will make our lives better. See Also (52 Motivational Quotes That Will Transform Your Life)

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison

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How many times have you been offered a new job, to go out on a date, or even to go skydiving? How many times have you said no? Probably more times than you have said yes.

Spark an idea

All of these occurrences are opportunities. The opportunity to experience something new, something different, something more. You would never ask someone else out on a date, or go skydiving by yourself – ok, maybe you would, but it wouldn’t be as soon, unexpected, or awesome.

Wouldn’t you like to experience more, earn more money, or simply be happier? We all want that, but aren’t necessarily ready to take the risks by ourselves. Sometimes we haven’t even thought about doing something until someone or something prompts us.

That prompt initiates the spark of an idea in our heads where it eventually barrels through into our forethought like an avalanche. Sometimes it can take months to gather the courage to go for it, sometimes it is only a matter of seconds.

Take a chance

We need to become yes-people (almost). Say yes when you perceive these prompts. Say yes to new life. Say yes to experience. Don’t say yes to everything, though, saying yes to every opportunity will burn you out completely. Trust your gut, it will take you down the path that is right for you.

Taking opportunities can be scary, some of them definitely are. To achieve anything in life, we need to take a chance. The beauty of taking chances, is that anything can happen. You might fall, get hurt, or be embarrassed, but what if you could experience something that is completely mind-blowing and changes your life forever.

Stop and Think

The next time someone offers for you to go out for a social event, a job offer, or a free ticket to Europe – stop and think. Your usual answer is ‘no’, but what if this time you say ’yes’. This time, go forth with the intention to learn, to experience, to enjoy.

“I’d rather have a life of ‘oh wells’ than ‘what ifs’.” – Unknown

Know vs wonder

When I think back over the chances I have taken when opportunity presented itself, I am content in the knowledge that I know what it feels like to live in both a city centre and a suburb; I know what it means to ask someone’s hand in marriage; and I know how to handle high-pressure situations at the office.

I am happy I took those opportunities rather than forever wondering what it would be like to live in the city, or whether she would say ‘yes’ to me, or wonder if I have what it takes to handle pressure.

By taking opportunities you can change your wondering to knowing. You can feel at ease knowing that you at least tried, knowing that you at least took the chance at the opportunity – not knowing what the outcome may be.

“Not trying is the only true failure.” – Unknown

See Also (Why Being Rejected Sometimes Is The Best Thing That Could Happen to You)

Is there an opportunity knocking at your door? Go answer it with the intention of saying ‘yes’ or if opportunity doesn’t knock build a door. Please share your thoughts in the comments below or you can join the disscusion on our facebook page or twitter.

Photo credit: Thibault