Make your own opportunities - they always exist
Make your own opportunities - they ALWAYS exist
I remember my father sitting me down one day and giving me 'the talk'. No, it wasn't about my latest school report, or whether I knew about the birds and the bees, or if I'd worked out that he and my mother were going to split up; but it did have a very profound effect on me.
I must have been about 13, and was struggling with some friendship issues at school which he could see had upset me. He called me in and asked me what was the matter. Well, that was it, the flood gates opened and he was hit with a barrage - all manner mixed-up, pubescent emotions, anger, blame and he got it right between the eyes - lock, stock and smoking barrel!
To my surprise, he listened very calmly as I blamed ex-friend after ex-friend for being mean to me, my teachers for not understanding my current situation and my parents for not there for me when they could see how terrible my life had become!
After about 10 minutes, I'd calmed myself down, used up all the tissues I (and he) had, and washed my face several times in my own tears. I must have looked a picture!His reaction was very calm and not at all what I had expected.
He said;
"Gail, I can see how upset you are and that this must be a very distressing situation for you. It's always difficult when you feel that people have let you down or upset you, or there are situations over which you have little or no control.
"But", he continued,
"This is life. And life happens to everyone. It is not what happens to you that matters, but how you deal with what happens that is important. Because that defines who you are, and therefore what you can and cannot do with your new circumstances."
It was only later, with the benefit of hindsight and further knowledge, that I truly understood how right he was, how wise he had been, and the true meaning of the gift he had given me.
Of course, it's not what happens to us that defines us - bad things happen to everyone, every day - in every country of the world - and most of them are much worse than what had happened to me! But how we deal with what happens is absolutely what is important. I realise that now.
Needless to say, I got over my tantrum, found new friends at school who have lasted a lifetime and eventually forgave my teachers when my exam results proved that they did know how to teach me as long as I knew how to learn!
So what's my message here?
It's simple - in today's uncertain world, a lot of us are facing events and circumstances that we could not predict. However, that does not mean that we are helpless or powerless, depending on how you look at things.
REMEMBER - it's not what happens to you that's important, but how you deal with what's happened.
For example, if you had a high-street business and the doors are currently closed on the high street for EVERYONE, isn't that a great opportunity for you to seek out new ways to bring your business to the people - be that by offering a delivery service, an online service or one-to-one virtual service?
Again, if you had a travel blog that has seen a drop in traffic recently, can you now expand your horizons and seek another niche area which is seeing a growth? Those niches are out there and you can bet that there are savvy, geared-up and motivated people who are going to make an opportunity out of them.
What about people who offer a service such as hairdressing or osteopathy? Is there a way that they can see the opportunities in the current situation? I would say "yes of course, if they look". Perhaps this is a great opportunity for them to become and expert in their field, to set up an advice line or a 'how to style your hair yourself' blog, or to train others online, or to find products to sell remotely, or look into drop shipping, or......
You see my point?
Opportunities ARE out there. But you will need to seek them out. Which means, turning away from moaning about the problems, and actively search for the solutions!!
As we law of attractions blogger say: the solution and the problem are very different vibrations.
This is a community of online entrepreneurs - it is our business to seek out online opportunities. So what are you waiting for?
And with so many people being forced to do so much more online now - we should feel like a kid in a sweet shop, surely?!
So do not get caught up in the problem, seek out the solutions and watch your opportunities grow!
All the best everyone.
Gail
Recent Comments
19
Great Post!! as always kind lady and yes there are always opportunities manufactured or serendipitous as they may be.
My father told me apart from what you say about it is how you deal with any situation that defines you as you...If feeling helpless and the world is on your case remember to look left and right of you and there will be those in a far worse situation than you and require the help you may be able to render!!
R.
Hi Rami
So true as well. I keep telling my own girls that at the moment since we are fortunate to live in a village in the countryside and can access fresh air and fields easily. My heart goes out to anyone who has to stay inside in other accommodation that may be more cramped.
Stay safe and stay well.
Gail
Hey Gail,
Great to hear you are safe and sound and in good surroundings!!
As you rightly say there are many who are not in as fortunate a situation!!
Thank you for response and stay safe and take care!!
R.
Thanks for another great post, Gail.
I like your idea about the opportunity for a hairdresser. I will be passing that on to my daughter who I have attempted to convince!
Unfortunately, due to video creation being so prominent nowadays, some people are scared to step into the online journey. Such a shame!
Best wishes,
Valerie
Hi Valerie
Great you got some ideas. I agree that some people are a little scared, but I look at it like the beginnings of Hollywood - the opportunities are there if you look for them.
All the best.
Gail
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Great advice Gail. I had a father like this who explained things happen. Being a twin, i remember my father sitting down with us when my brother and I were young and explained why he made a decision that day concerning our retail business.
We owned a garden center and the week before Mothers day weekend which next to Memorial day ,was the busiest and made our profit for the spring, he decided not to cover the flowers outside we had for sale.
This decision was a disaster the next morning because we had a frost that killed most of the flowers that night..
It was supposed to be a better weather forecasted, but turned out wrong. He looked at us and said to clean up these flowers and get ready for more as soon as he called our supplier. He was calm in the face of defeat. Other than ordering new ones he also changed his advertising and promoted a free carton of flowers if so many were bought.
Although the profit for each was not as large, we ended up selling out and had to order more than we had ever sold.
He made disaster into an opportunity. This left an impact on me throughout my life to always look for opportunity and to never let defeat affect us.
As twins we were bullied, and never fit in with the regular crowd yet his wisdom and learning from our business this time and many more helped us grow into successful individuals.
Thanks for the post it brought back awesome memories!
Bill
That's a lovely story. It is all about how we deal with things as your story shows. Seems like our fathers did a good job yes? Although I know at the time, I may have thought differently. Which also gives me hope for bringing up my own two teenagers!!!
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Have a great day.
Gail
Yes our fathers were awesome! My children are now grown with very good careers and have children. I see many times now as they are older how much of an impact I have had on them and it makes me proud.
Take care,
Bill