Once Walter P. Chrysler, founder of the American automotive corporation Chrysler, said, "The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the garden looking for four-leafed clovers." It is true that many of us find it quite difficult to take a new step, adopt a new habit, apply for that dream job, follow our real passion or even answer the question asked in class! We are always worried about being wrong. We justify ourselves by saying that we are waiting for the right opportunity. In fact, everyone is seeking opportunity of one kind or another. Wouldn't it be great if you could wake up tomorrow morning, open your front door and find opportunity sitting there waiting for you on the doorstep? Fortunate? Good luck? Certainly such things do happen, from time to time. However, they only occur very infrequently and mostly only when they are completely unexpected! So, there is no point in sitting around and waiting for the right time and right place.
The right time and the right place is usually, right now! Opportunity is happening all around us. It is literally everywhere. But it is elusive in that, generally speaking, it is in disguise. We always want things to be easy, not difficult; we want things to be comfortable, not uncomfortable; we want things to be safe and sure, not risky or uncertain. Sometimes, we may grab an opportunity and terribly fail. So, we conclude that the easier option is doing nothing of course. Remember, the proverb - God gives every bird its food, but he doesn't throw it in the nest. It is for us to go out, explore, take risks and make our dreams come true. Procrastination or laziness won't take us anywhere.
Classic example
So, one may ask - how do we know it's the right opportunity? Sometimes, it's now or never ever! A famous example can answer your question. We all may know the multi-billionaire Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group of Companies. He is a man who seems to have an uncanny knack of spotting the right opportunities. He says that in order to win, you must first of all enter the race. In 1984, Laker Airlines in the UK collapsed and Branson decided to take over it. Everyone thought he was out of his mind to get involved in an industry that he had no experience in and taking on the bigger airlines. But, he had done his homework and saw a golden opportunity to capitalise on the mistakes made by Laker Airlines. He found a way to minimise the risk. If he had not taken that step back then, we wouldn't be even knowing him today.
If you want to win, first take that step forward. If you want to get admission in the university you desire for higher studies, first open its website and find out what all eligibility criteria you need to complete and start doing that now. If you want to be a sportsperson, then start practicing twice harder than you usually do. If you are worried you cannot bear the risk of leaving the job to go for another, then spread your financial risk in investments and once you reach your financial goal, go for that dream job. If you had failed several times, be confident that you know what all things you need to avoid in order to win. Whatever be your dream, take the risk to move forward. Educate yourself and become independent. There's always an alternative solution to every problem you may face. Life itself is a risk. Think about it. You take a risk every time you get into a car and every time you cross the street.
Here's a verse that is well-known:
"To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing and is nothing. He is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom. Only a person who risks is really free."
So, promise yourself today to get into action; write out your plan of action and sign it as your word or solemn promise to do something. Seize the opportunities and take whatever risk needs to be taken. Never let the fear of failure stop you from becoming your greatest self. You already know what needs to be done to accomplish your dream. All it takes is some patience, confidence, determination and focus.