The Secret to Getting the Career Opportunity You Want

Wednesday Inspiration #17

Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them. -Orison Swett Marden

Most of us have at least one person in our lives that has been waiting for that perfect opportunity to do or have what they really want. The girlfriend who has always wanted to start her own business and has been waiting for a financial windfall to give her the perfect set up. The uncle who always wanted to go back to school but has been waiting until till he found a job with more flexible hours. The brother who has dreamed for years of working for a particular company but is waiting until he hears they are hiring again. Or the person in your network that has been waiting for years to be promoted to the next level and is sure it will happen when the current person in that role leaves.

It is a dangerous defeating trap to believe that our opportunities depend solely on time, people or circumstance creating the window we need. Especially when we hold the keys to unlocking opportunity. If opportunity seems to be passing you by, start with changing what you are thinking and saying about the opportunity you need. Then start talking to people about what you want to do – and make sure you are talking to the right people. The right people are those that will hear you, support you and can help you connect with the information or other people you need. Turn over every stone and explore every trail – especially the ones that seem less conventional.

Challenge: What opportunity will you create today for yourself? For others?