There is no security on this earth. Only opportunity. General Douglas MacArthur
Look around and you will find scores of competent, intelligent and dynamic people who have never realized their full potential. The one common trait these people will invariably share, is their propensity to gravitate towards safe options, be it in career, social life or personal life. As the old saying goes, a ship is safe in the harbor, but that was never the reason for which it was built. Similarly if our talents, our learning, our personality is to be harnessed to its fullest so that we impact our surroundings, society and the world at large we must be prepared to face the risks of failure, disappointments, lack of appreciation and criticism.
Security in life is very limited and is as good or as bad as the human mind can conceive. Every one of us runs the risk of death, be it a sudden one through an accident or a heart attack or a slow and painful one through cancer, Alzheimer’s or arthritis. Does it mean that we become hypochondriacs popping pills to remain disease free or live life with the Damocles sword of death hanging over our lives everyday? Take the case of our computer systems, it is prone to hacking every moment; yet do we stop using the computer? Then why is that we stop being adventurous, being creative, being daring, being torchbearers for a cause or simply go about doing the best we can? Perhaps we need to seek the opportunities that are galore in life and grab them with both hands rather than go about whining that we are beset with problems, troubles and failures!
Even failure is an opportunity to learn and correct ones self. If we look at life from that perspective, we will soon realize that there are opportunities galore all around us and that we have been wasting those opportunities. It is never too late, so start now. Take the initiative to step forward and attempt what you always wanted to do. A word of caution, plan well before you embark on your mission to size the opportunities. The question now is where and what are these opportunities? Most opportunities are available in the form of problems to be solved, passions to be explored, new experiences to be had, discoveries to be made, improvements to me made, feelings to be expressed e.g. through paintings, poetry, drama, films etc.
When Columbus embarked on his voyage to discover the other lands, he didn’t see it as a problem of crossing seven seas instead he saw an opportunity to create history. Look at the heroics of the Spaniard Hernando Cortes who set out in 1519 to conquer the Aztecs. When he set out, Cortes had eleven ships, 600 men, twenty horses, and ten small cannons. Upon landing in Mexico, he burned his ships, so that his men would not desert him and hen his men had no option but to fight and Win. We may not attempt such heroics, but when we can conquer our fears, over come our apprehensions and have self belief, we will then seize the wondrous opportunities that are swirling around us.
Remember: Opportunity is sheep in wolf’s clothing.
Try this:
-
If you are aware of SWOT analysis, attempt it now. (You can see the post on Self Acceptance dated 12th January 2010 to know more about SWOT). In particular pay attention to the possible opportunities around you which can help you grow in your career, your personal life and improve the quality of your personal and family life. Try to attempt a secret passion that you want to give expression to, like dancing, acting, singing, painting, photography, traveling etc.
-
Outline some of your worst fears. Can you see opportunity in them? You may need to be creative and think differently in order to see the opportunities. E.g. You fear your stagnating in your career. Can you see opportunity to start your own venture? Do you think you can change your career path and move on to something that you are passionate about? Will a change of jobs be opportune? This might be the right time to circulate your resume and explore possibilities elsewhere. Maybe this is the time to upgrade your skills or learn a skill that is much in demand at your work place and one which can actually help you leap frog your career.
This post is courtesy www.actspot.com
You are also invited to visit our weekly Inspirational and Motivational Blog http://www.poweract.blogspot.com
