The first of the year comes, and many think of New Year’s resolutions. The sad part is that by Groundhog’s Day, most have dismissed, ignored, and forgotten all about their resolutions. Instead, let’s start thinking of opportunities.
B.C. Forbes wrote, “Opportunity seldom knocks on your door. Knock rather on opportunity’s door if you ardently wish to enter.”
Imagine sitting quietly in your home, watching the snow fall outside, going back to reading your book, and then stopping to glance at the warm fire with its magnificent orange and blue flames, all the while thinking, “When is my ship going to come in?”
There is a faint, hopeful anticipation that an opportunity might announce itself at the right moment. Days pass, weeks even, and the silence lingers. B.C. Forbes challenges this passive vision with a bold call to action: Don’t wait for the knock; be the one who knocks. Opportunities like locked doors rarely open by chance. They require you to seek them out, to step forward boldly, and to knock with purpose and determination. In a world of possibility, the key isn’t waiting—it’s creating your momentum.
Waiting for opportunity may leave one stagnant; actively seeking it leads to growth, fulfillment, and success.
Ways to Seek and Discover Opportunities
Cultivate Curiosity:
Approach life with a sense of curiosity. Ask questions and explore diverse interests. Ponder the thought that life is a moment-to-moment series of discoveries. Opportunities often arise from unexpected sources.
Social media groups abound—join some. Many experts in their field offer master classes, webinars, live events, and resource material. Attending any of these can lead to networking while learning new skills. Make a point to be active, share your experiences, be a keen listener of others, and be observant.
Build Relationships:
Opportunities coming your way have a greater chance when networking and forming genuine connections. Opportunities emerge through people, not just circumstances.
Use platforms like LinkedIn, join local groups, and reconnect with former colleagues.
Recently, I reached out to a friend I had not seen in several years. We were close; we played golf and tennis together. We enjoyed having lunch to discuss our careers, family, and life events. However, we drifted away.
Right before Christmas, I emailed my friend Mike, suggesting we rekindle our friendship and have lunch, my treat. I wasn’t sure how the message would be received. Mike replied with a resounding yes! I could sense the happiness in his note, and I was giddy and excited. I decided this reunion required a celebratory lunch! We went upscale to a nice steakhouse for a splendid lunch!
We discussed our current careers; amazingly, we can help each other! He offered suggestions and names for my grant writing consultancy while providing some accounting pointers. I can help my clients with some information that Mike provides me with. I gave Mike “food for thought” on how nonprofits raise funds and information on private foundations and grants from federal agencies. Now, we will make a point of having lunch on a routine basis, about once a month.
Stay Open to Change:
Appreciate the value of adaptability. Are you waiting for a new opportunity because your present role is in danger? Is it tedious? Is it overly demanding and stressful? Being open to new roles, industries, or locations can reveal opportunities one might never have imagined.
In her book Pivot— The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One, Jenny Blake offers sage advice. Jenny states that the solution is about taking small steps, not big leaps—and the answer is already under your feet. Pivoting is the crucial skill you need to stay agile, whether you are actively looking for a new position or not.
I can speak to adaptability. I went from pharmacist to biomedical instrument sales representative to grant proposal writer. Now, I am expanding into content writing. Many pharmacists are leaving pharmacy practice to pursue law careers, medical writing, and academia.
Self-Initiated Projects:
Give serious thought to creating opportunities for yourself. What is your passion? Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit that needs to be stirred and awakened?
Start a blog; write about what interests you. Amazingly, writing will reveal discoveries for yourself. Try art; it is easy to begin. Buy an adult coloring book, some colored pencils, and an instruction book, and have fun. Venture into watercolors, acrylics, and oil. Buy some modeling clay and try your hand at sculpture. As I said, make a living by making a series of moment-to-moment discoveries!
Do you have an interest in electronics, woodworking, or constructing things? Model railroading is one hobby that does it all!
Visit a hobby and craft store and stroll through the aisles.
Volunteer your time. Many nonprofit organizations welcome volunteers to lend a hand, including the Red Cross, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, food pantries, missions, soup kitchens, and medical centers. It is amazing who you will meet and perhaps find a passion you did not know existed in you.
The Process of Knocking on Doors
Define Your Goal:
Discovering opportunities requires clarity. Clarity is vital. Knowing what you’re seeking and where to look makes it easier to identify relevant opportunities.
Much has been written about the importance of goals. Resources abound for writing goals, working towards them, and achieving them. Write down specific goals and identify industries or areas aligned with them.
Take Consistent Action:
Knocking on one door and waiting to see what happens is not enough. Success comes from persistence. President Calvin Coolidge declared, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Many books on prosperous sales state that it takes a minimum of five sales calls to a potential customer before making a sale. Follow-up is the key to success. Follow up on job applications, check in with mentors, revisit old leads, and make research a habit.
Embrace Rejection as Redirection:
Let’s face it: no one likes being rejected. But rejection is part of the process. It’s an opportunity to refine one’s approach. It’s a lesson on how to improve yourself or perhaps choose a different route on your journey.
Embracing rejection as a means to redirect is a powerful mindset that transforms setbacks into stepping stones. Rejection, though often painful, is not an endpoint but a moment of feedback. It tells us that while our current effort may not have aligned with a particular opportunity, it doesn’t define our worth or potential. Many fields, from the arts to sports to business, are built on resilience and persistence in the face of rejection.
For example, a writer rejected by an editor might see it as a chance to refine their voice or better understand their audience. That rejection could push them to explore new angles, improve their craft, or even submit to a more fitting publication. Similarly, an athlete who doesn’t cut can analyze their performance, identify areas for growth, and train harder for the next opportunity. An actor who loses a role might use the experience to understand casting dynamics better, work on their delivery, or discover roles that match their talents better.
Rejection is also an excellent teacher when viewed through curiosity rather than defeat. It provides an opportunity to ask: What can I learn from this? How can I adapt my approach? What could I do differently next time? Constructive feedback from rejection often reveals blind spots, helps fine-tune efforts, and clarifies long-term goals.
Perhaps most importantly, rejection can serve as a redirection—a nudge toward a better path that aligns more closely with your true calling. Many success stories are built on the rubble of initial failure. J.K. Rowling, for example, faced numerous rejections before “Harry Potter” became a global phenomenon. Each rejection moved her closer to the right publisher, who saw the magic in her work.
Ultimately, the key is to integrate rejection into the process and see it as proof of your willingness to put yourself out there. Every “no” you face gets you closer to the “yes” that will make all the difference. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep knocking—you never know which door will open next.
Prepare for the Moment:
Embrace learning. Constantly seek new opportunities to learn and grow. For example, it is said that writers are readers. Writers know that reading helps them hone their craft by reading the writing of known artists. They adapt and often take on some of the styles of others. But writers never stop reading.
Every profession and trade provides opportunities to acquire new certifications, degrees, or credentials. Stay on top of industry trends. Where is your industry going? What new industry is on the rise? What types of talent are industries seeking now? Do you have that talent? Could you acquire that talent, that area of expertise that is so much in demand right now?
Ask Questions and Listen:
Knocking on doors is more than asking—it requires active listening and an understanding of how one can add value.
Research organizations and individuals beforehand. Please make a point to align your pitch with their needs. You can gain valuable information about a company from your investment account. Your local library will have the means to research nonprofit organizations. Of course, search engines provide noteworthy details and websites to help you find the information you seek. Again, never stop learning!
What was the person’s “hot button ” in your meeting? What do they need right now? What talent, what experience, what knowledge? Where is the organization’s future? What is the organization’s biggest challenge? Be an active listener and get answers to these vital questions.
Now, how can you provide needed value to that organization? How do your talents align with their needs? What do you need to acquire to make yourself a better candidate for a role in the organization?
Conclusion:
You hold the power to shape your destiny. Begin your venture today! Start knocking today! Do the doors seem intimidating or locked? Persistence and preparation are the keys to unlocking those doors.
Ponder the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “For the resolute and determined, there is time and opportunity.”
