Motivation: The Power of Opportunity

I think each one of us has had the experience of coming up with a great idea for a product or a way to do something, only to see someone else do it and make a ton of money.

Here's mine - A few years back I went through advanced training in hypnosis. One of the tools the trainers used to teach us about the state of hypnosis was simply a large sheet of paper covered with all these lines and shapes. You simply stared at two little dots in the middle long enough to make the lines turn into a 3-D image. I wrote in my notes this idea - "take these things, colorize them, and have shapes like dinosaurs, planes, etc." I put the notes away after the training. A year later, my wife and I were walking in the mall, and there's this huge crowd outside a frame shop, staring at my idea in the window. Only I hadn't done anything about it. Arrrgh!

The point is this - all of us are presented with numerous opportunities every day of our lives. Opportunities to create, to build, to connect or just to love someone along the way. And yet we usually miss them. Why? Is it because we're too busy, too tired, too something? Maybe. What I really believe happens is that we are simply not prepared to see them, much less take advantage of them.

In the opportunity part of the BRAAVO seminar, I used to use the quote that "luck is the coming together of skill and preparation." I thought it was sort of a lame quote for what I wanted, but it was the closest I could find for the notion of preparing our minds for opportunity.

Then one day as I was preparing to present The BRAAVO Approach to a businesswoman's group, I had an appointment that afternoon with a 15 year old young man. As we talked about what he had done the last week, he shared with me the following quote from a movie he had just seen. Here's the quote - "Chance favors the prepared mind." Yes! Just what I needed for my seminar.

It turns out that this is a quote from Louis Pasteur, and Steven Segal used it in Under Siege 2.

I guess you get your wisdom where you can find it.

If chance favors the prepared mind, then so does opportunity

Here's another quote, author unknown, "The pain of discipline is always less than the pain of regret." It's important to understand that there are times when growth and change can be painful. I can't promise you that growth and change will always be easy, just worth it. While disciplining and preparing our minds to take advantage of the opportunities in life may take work and even be painful at times, it pales in comparison to the pain of "I wish I woulda-coulda-shoulda."

"OK, so if opportunity favors the prepared mind and the pain of discipline is always less than the pain of regret," you may be asking, "tell me again how to prepare my mind to seize the opportunities that come my way?" Excellent question! All of the BRAAVO suggestions are simply in service of preparing your brain for change. Believing in yourself, taking responsibility, asking good questions, taking action, and having a clear picture of where you are headed can set up a very interesting situation. It almost seems as if life is ready to reward us for all our hard work by presenting us with opportunities to achieve what we want.

"But what if I've already let so many opportunities slip by me? What do I do now?" Another good question! First let me welcome you to the club. We've all let opportunities slip by us, with varying degrees of pain and regret. The good news, if you can stand one more quote, is this - "Life never closes one door without opening several others."

Now, to put some hands and feet on walking through these doors of opportunity. At the risk of being redundant, here are the five key steps -

Believe that you can do it
Take Responsibility for doing it
Ask the right questions
Take all the necessary Actions
Have a clear Vision for where you want to go

If you have noticed that we have come full circle here, then you have really been paying attention. The first five steps of the BRAAVO Approach prepares your mind for opportunities, and then you follow the first five steps to take advantage of the opportunities.

I realize that this may sound almost too simple. I guess I could complicate it for you, perhaps add in some psychological mumbo-jumbo, but why?

Now go for it!

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

---

Finding Yourself: Finding Passion Series - 1 of 3

We have been told that the things we don't like... Read More

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Recently a person attended one of my goal setting seminars... Read More

Miracles are Your Responsibility

Miracles are your responsibility! What does that mean? Simple...You have... Read More

Three Simple Ways to Stay Focused

While I was trying to find a subject to write... Read More

Overcome Fear: You?ll Miss All The Shots You Don?t Take

A lot of folks are petrified at the mere thought... Read More

Gremlins! Time to Take Control

It is a wonder we can function at all. Each... Read More

Clear Thinking - Ten Ways

Does your mind sometimes feel like a television station you... Read More

The Downward Spirals Of Life - Top Ten Steps For Freeing Ourselves From

Some people call them vicious circles or cycles. I prefer... Read More

After the Big Project: Recovering From Success

My older daughter got married 10 days ago. The wedding... Read More

You are the Master of Your Destiny

Every thought of a human being is transformed as picture... Read More

Nothing Ever Stays The Same

Nothing ever stays the same. On the one hand we... Read More

Self-Limiting Beliefs: The Inner Enemies of Progress

What are they?Self-limiting beliefs are those things you believe about... Read More

Are You a Self-Saboteur?

Take this questionnaire to get clear on what you may... Read More

Your Life Story: Whatcha Gonna Do? Write Your Life Story NOW before Its Too Late!

Imagine this scene: Project yourself into the future. You are... Read More

Explanations?... or Excuses?

Which of the following "explanations" have you heard (or used!)... Read More

Ability, Motivation, and Attitude

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what... Read More

Dont Let Failure Go To Your Head

I watched as an 8-year-old All-Star slid dramatically into second... Read More

If The Fear Fits...Dont Wear It!

Undoubtedly one of the most challenging tasks we can face... Read More

The Default Setting

In the coaching relationships I have with our clients, the... Read More

4 Powerful Ways To Fire Up Your Motivation

It's so difficult to go on when everything seems to... Read More

Seven Habits Of Ineffective People

For maximum effectiveness in life, love or business, it helps... Read More

Spring! Time for Love and New Beginnings

Prepare, prepare, prepare! The horizon screams of spring and the... Read More

What If I Fall Flat On My Face?

I hope you do. Sounds awful, I know. But I... Read More

Motivation: The Power of Action, Part 2

The Three D's of Action are Decide, Do and Distinguish.... Read More

Motivation By Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is a great motivator. Why confine it to... Read More

Happy New Year

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life.A ttitude is... Read More

Hello! It Is Opportunity Calling!

If I knock at your door hold your hand take... Read More

Create Your Destiny - How Massive Action Can Determine Your Destiny!

We often hear that "Knowledge is Power". Is it really... Read More

What is Success?

Everyone wants success. People talk about setting goals and positive... Read More

Are You Still Stuck on Still?

Are you still "stuck on still?" If so, don't let... Read More

Teaching kids -- UGH!! (...and what I learned from it)

I have a confession to make: I don't like working... Read More

Want Real Change in Your Life? Take Action!

It's easy to begin a year with analysis: months, days... Read More

These Are The Good Ole Days

I am sitting here at a public access wireless location... Read More