Read this statement - opportunityisnowhere.
Now tell me - How did you read that statement?
As I wrote it the words that went through my head were "opportunity is now here." Did you read it as "opportunity is nowhere?"
Listen - many people that have had extraordinary success had some kind of fortunate or lucky moment that sent there career trajectory skyrocketing. The thing is though, many of us get this lucky moments throughout life, but those who achieve extraordinary success have the talent or ability to cultivate that moment.
A Story That Makes a Point
I want to share a story with you about Larry King I heard on a podcast recently because it makes light of luck and success
We all know him as an American broadcasting great, but this story is about Larry King before he was Larry King.
He and some other Miami figures at the time were at a dinner with Jacki Gleason. At one point Jackie asks what's impossible? while looking at a doctor who was at the table. The doctor says artificial blood.
Jackie then looks at Larry and asks the same question. Larry responds by saying I have a 3hr radio show, getting Frank Sinatra on that show is impossible.
Jack points at him and says you got it!
Turns out Sinatra owned Jackie a favor for stepping in for him on a show when Sinatra’s voice blew out. Turns out Jackie called up Sinatra and says Frank, this is it. There’s a 3 hour show I need you to do.
Now this is in Sinatra’s hey day and doing something small time like that just didn’t happen. So when Sinatra showed up for the radio show his publicist grabbed Larry King and tells him I don't know how you got him here, but absolutely do not ask about the kidnapping of his son.
Larry King, small time then, is like sure whatever you want.
He opens the interview with Sinatra by asking - Why are you here?
Being that he and the whole station is in disbelief Sinatra actually showed up. Sinatra then gets into the story about how he owed Jackie Gleason a favor.
The interview continues and as Larry is getting ready to wrap it up....
He asked the question that probably changed his career path
- Is there anything in life where you feel you’ve gotten a bum rap?
- Sinatra responds - Yes.
He then proceeded to talk about when his son was kidnapped.
Larry King, small time radio host at the time got Sinatra to talk about the only item no other interviewer could.
So there you have it. He got lucky to be with Jackie Gleason that night and have him ask that question, which led to the ultimate hookup. However, he also had the talent and ability to make the absolute most out of that moment.
The Sinatra interview surely sent Larry King’s career trajectory on a stratospheric pace
Regards,
Mitchell J
