Each day is a time of opportunity
- Gbenga Efueye
A while back, I wrote on luck and concluded, as Fred Siegel did, that luck is no more than opportunity meeting preparation, and that luck is actually enhanced by diligence and quickness in making decisions.
Does opportunity come just once?
The saying that ‘opportunity comes but once’ cannot be any further from the truth as, in fact, opportunity presents itself with every dawning day, with every passing moment. Also, the existence of a relationship is an opportunity, which may be employed to move forward in life.
Opportunity and progress
Once sharing on this topic, my pastor, Gbenga Efueye, noted that change is brought about by opportunity: “Positive change is brought about as a result of how well opportunity is utilised.” I fully agree. How well you use today’s opportunity determines what your situation will be tomorrow. And one opportunity well utilised does indeed beget another, since life is in fact a chain of opportunities.
Where to find opportunities
Firstly, you find opportunities in challenges. There is an opportunity in every challenge. For instance, David had his opportunity presented when Israel was challenged by Goliath. Goliath actually represented warfare, but in that warfare laid David’s opportunity. The lesson here is that we ought not to despair when challenges present themselves, for they are there for a purpose, and if well tackled and overcome, the challenged will have only good tidings to bear.
Secondly, opportunities are engendered when right risks are taken. The opportunity to make wealth from an investment window may only be actualised if one is willing to take the risk of investing, for it is indeed a risk, as you stand to lose almost as well as you stand to gain. In the Scriptures, the widow of Zarepath risked her last meal in faith and subsequently got abundant supplies.
Things to note about opportunity
You must be ready to embrace little opportunities and even be enthusiastic about them. Every successful man would most probably have a story of embracing several ‘little’ opportunities before his big break came. As a matter of fact, there are no little opportunities. Each opportunity that presents itself now is really one that is good enough for the present time.
Moreover, ensure that you are always prepared for opportunities for they shall always present themselves. We have already established the fact that luck is no more than preparation meeting opportunity. Thus, unpreparedness brings ill luck. The level we attain in life is indicative of the level of preparation we make and our readiness to take advantage of opportunities when they eventually present themselves.
Your level of education, manner of speaking, deeds, manner of dressing, etc, are all means of preparing for opportunities, for you never know when the opportunity will present itself, and equally do not know just who is watching you or who you will meet at any particular moment.
Finally, make the best of opportunities. If you are put in a position of authority for instance, because you are found worthy of that position, do not abuse the opportunity and trust reposed in you. Remember that opportunity when well utilised does indeed beget other (usually greater) opportunities.
Please stay INSPIRED until next week, when we meet again.
This column is an extract from my third best-selling book, INSPIRED KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENT, which may be order online or though Amazon.com
