As the world appears to be opening, it had me reflecting, “What’s possible NOW?” In the book, The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life, Rosamund Stone Zander, and Benjamin Zander, start Chapter 1 by saying, “It’s All Invented…all of life comes to us in a narrative form; it’s a story we tell…so we might as well invent a story of framework of meaning that enhances our quality of life and the life of those around us.” The mind constructs – what would you like to construct?
Every story you tell is founded on a network of beliefs and assumptions. Let your stories create your LUCK!
During the past two years, I have observed some individuals hit stagnation, some reinvent themselves, and some work steadily to prepare for opportunity.
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
Seneca
People tend to think that luck has to do with being at the right place at the right time or knowing the right people. Although that may be true in some instances, it is not true in all. It is about being open and ready for opportunities so you can say “YES”. Opportunities are always there; you need to be prepared to see them.
There are many ways to prepare and increase your opportunities:
Pay attention to the questions and words you say to yourself. Ask yourself, “What am I telling myself or asking myself before I decide to act? Are the questions one of curiosity, encouragement, or confidence and conviction?
Is it perfect? Ready to launch? When you think of those questions what comes up for you? When people get caught up in perfection, it often leads to procrastination and several revisions followed by several reasons and perhaps excuses as to why you’re not ready to execute. It was not perfect. I did not have enough time to get it right and so on.
What will other people think? Will they like it or dislike it? This contemplation can often lead to self-consciousness and self-doubt. You can play with duality in your mind for a very long time before you move into execution. Taking action without worrying about what others think is the way to move forward. What matters most is what you think!
Maybe I did not put enough time in? Parkinson’s Law says work will expand to the time frame allotted. Time is not an accurate measure of how prepared you can be for an opportunity. Preparedness is about doing your due diligence gathering as much information as you need and honing your skills to be ready to deliver your best work. Procrastination, excuses, and fear of failure tend to come up when you think about putting enough time in.
The more prepared and ready you are, the more ready you are to jump into opportunities as they arise.
Stay Informed about Developments in Your Industry. Subscribe to magazines and read articles to understand trends. Consider writing your own articles or finding speaking opportunities to share your knowledge. Become an expert in your field.
Commit to continuous learning. Take time to read books and learn from podcasts to build your knowledge, develop your skills, and expand your capabilities. Don’t forget you’ll be able to hold interesting conversations and share knowledge that you have at networking events and meetings.
Focus On Delivering Value and Doing Your Best Work. You notice I said the best work I did not say perfect. In what ways can you support others in reaching their goals and becoming a better version of themselves?
Connect and Develop Relationships with Others in Your Field. You never know who someone knows. In our digital world, it is often less than six degrees of separation. Learn and discover how you can support others. Attend networking events and join associations to network with like-minded individuals. Do not be afraid to expand into areas where you may connect with others who do not share your point of view – seek to understand a different perspective and it will expand your own.
“Diligence is the mother of good luck.”
Benjamin Franklin
“Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Expanding your world of possibility will increase your luck. As you prepare for possibilities, you will increase your readiness. As you increase your readiness, you will be ready for opportunities. As opportunity presents, you will create your luck.
Challenges are a part of everyday life. A challenge is something that pushes you out of your comfort zone. It can be something you challenge yourself with such as a goal or it could be something presented to you such as learning something new, getting a handle on finances, acquiring your next client, or seeking a promotion. Some challenges are easier than others. Some challenges knock us down for the count. Think about how many times you get up to face a challenge – that will determine whether or not you will push through it.
There was a personal challenge I faced when swimsuit shopping with my daughter. I had sent my daughter to go and purchase herself a swimsuit for a surprise trip. I was unable to go with her. She came home a tossed the bag to me and I did not think anything of it. She did not even show me what it looked like until we were leaving and then I realized that there was a $200 + price tag to this swimsuit. I was like, “What?” I am sorry I do not understand what 16 year old needs a two hundred dollar swimsuit. Anyhow, we ended up going on our trip and did not end up going swimming anyway but I knew a swimsuit you cannot return.
Meanwhile, I was quite frustrated as I was waiting for my daughter to finish up so I started to talk to the clerk. I proceeded to tell her about how I was feeling and how I was boiling inside. If I felt this energy, I could not imagine how and if they felt it. I began to share the story of what happened when my daughter had come for a swimsuit. The young lady at the till was phenomenal. She said “You should not have had that type of experience that is not how we work here.” She took my information. I informed her that we were leaving the next day on vacation. I told that I would not be able to deal with this right now. She said that it was okay and that she would speak to her manager to see what she could do for me.