Thursday, May 28, 2015

Seize the Day by Discovering New Opportunities

As I sit at my desk to write the editorial for this month's Countertop Industry Insider, it happens to be my birthday. I don't particularly feel like working today, but duty calls, and I refuse to miss out on another opportunity. Three years ago, when I hit the milestone age of 40, I realized that I had let a fair share of opportunities pass me by in those four decades, and I swore never to let it happen again.

Of course, no one catches each and every opportunity that comes his or her way. We must carefully weigh the pros and cons of pursuing them. Some are not worth the effort, but many hold countless possibilities that may continue to enrich our lives for the rest of our years. However, it is all too common to let these occasions slip through our fingers never to reach fruition.

While some people seem to have a natural talent for recognizing and seizing opportunity, others struggle with the ideas and mechanics behind taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. However, as I have discovered, this is a skill, and like any skill, it can be developed and nurtured - but in order to do so, you have to overcome five primary obstacles: fear, failure, self-confidence, closed mindedness and perception.

When presented with a new opportunity, we are often reminded of our past failures. This can chip away at our self-confidence and give rise to a fear of making the wrong choice or being overcome by negative consequences. In many cases though, there are other factors that contribute to missing opportunities.

Most people suffer from a lack of perception and don't even notice opportunities, even when they are knocking loudly enough at the door to catch the attention of neighbors. This usually occurs because our minds are closed, and we refuse to look at situations from new or different perspectives. Once you open yourself to new ways of thinking, you will begin to notice a steady rise in opportunities.

A lot of us put so much time and effort investing in our businesses and our work that we neglect the primary reason we made it as far as we have: ourselves. If you seem stuck in a rut or your business seems to be stagnating, perhaps it's time to look inward for solutions rather than outward. The most successful entrepreneurs understand that it all begins from within, so the first opportunities they focus on seizing are those that will enhance their personal development.

Never stop working to better yourself. There is always something new to learn and new skills to master. Expose yourself to ever-expanding groups of people and situations. Nurture your ability to perceive new ideas and make new connections. Take steps each and every day to make yourself a better person. Missed opportunities will be few and far between, and you will have a better understanding of how to grab them. And, most importantly, understand that the ultimate beneficiaries will be yourself, your family and everyone else you hold dear.

We will be right back here next month with all the latest news and information concerning countertops and countertop fabrication, but in the meantime, feel free to drop me a line and share some of your ideas on business or personal development. We are always looking for new contributors to our website and this newsletter, and when you help us bring fresh, exciting content to our audience, we can help you by providing opportunities for expanding your reach with a byline or a link back to your business. Carpe diem.

Sincerely,

Brian Jones, Editor/Content Manager
info@countertopresource.com

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