Sometimes ago, I was reading about Mark Zuckerberg, who has risen to become a tech giant, and the founder of Facebook (Meta) and a lot of other products. While he was in Harvard University, he always wished to work for a big tech company. But he realised that he should not wait to be hired, rather he should create the opportunity himself. That was when he started building projects right inside his dormitory room. This projects were what led to Facebook. You see, instead of waiting to be hired by a big tech company, he built a platform that grew to become a big and global tech company. This shows that you should not wait until opportunities fall right on your laps, you have to create them.
Image from Pexels
You will be surprised how lots of people spend almost their entire life waiting for the "right opportunity," like the right time, right job, right connections, financial support, right moment to take step, etc. It is true that patience is good, but you should be able to distinguish between being patient and being passive. What makes successful people is the mindset to know that, most times, opportunities are not found, rather they are created. That is, you should not just sit and wish for things to happen for you in the manner you like, rather you should take a step, and make a move to create what you want to see. Things do not just happen out of nowhere, but they are made to happen.
There is no doubt that waiting can feel safe. This is because it absolves you of responsibilities, risks, criticisms, and even failure in same cases. But you have to understand that growth rarely happens while being docile in your comfort zone. If you keep waiting until the perfect condition before you act, then you might wait for eternity. Trust me, you might not see a perfect condition. This is because resources are not infinite, support may not be enough, even confidence may not be up to par. But you have to learn to move forward irrespective of all these, so you will be able to create the kind of opportunities that you want.
In order to create opportunities, there are factors that you need to have handy with. The first one is initiative. That is; doing something without even being told to do so. For example, instead of waiting for an employer to hire you, you can develop a skill and add value instead. Instead of waiting to be invited to lead, you can just do a volunteering, and then prove your worth. Instead of waiting for the full funding to be in place before you take a step, you can get started with the little you have and then grow in it. It is your action that will attract attention. There are some opportunities that you may not even know exists until you have taken a step.
The next factor is to develop relevant and valuable skills. The more you know, and the more you acquire skills, the better you will be exposed to opportunities. The truth is that opportunities often come with competence. When you constantly and consistently improve yourself through acquiring new skills, learning, gathering experience, and practising, you will position yourself to be noticed. Preparation positions you for opportunities. It is when your preparedness has met with proper timing that success will be birthed. If you do not get yourself ready for when the door will open, you may miss it when it eventually opens. In life, you do not just get ready, rather you are supposed to live ready.
Image from Pexels
Another important fact is networking. Build a meaningful and relevant relationship with people. You have to understand that your connection can open door that you may never know that it existed. It is the network of people you have, and your friendship of today, that you will regard as connection tomorrow. Try to connect with the people in your field of interest. You can even offer help before asking. Build a good relationship with people. Even if you feel that someone is not serving any purpose for you at the moment, do not burn the bridge. You might need them tomorrow.
Thanks for reading
