Category Archives: Opportunity

“Opportunity does not knock. It presents itself when you beat down the door.”

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“Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door.”

– Kyle Chandler, actor

Last week, my daughter Rachel completed the sixth year of her job with the Southwestern company. The company recruits and trains college and university students to sell high quality educational books, software and website subscriptions door to door. The average student works six days a week for twelve hours a day. That’s a lot of knocking!

By no means are these young people super-aggressive or pushy. Their consistency, persistence and overall tenacity usually produce remarkable results in both sales and character development.

Exercise:

Where have you been reluctant to knock on – and even beat down – the doors with your goals on the other side, to realize greater opportunities in your life?

be prepared for opportunity

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“It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have one and not be prepared.”

– Whitney Young, Jr., American Civil Rights Leader

Image of Boy Scout Logo

When I was young, I was a Boy Scout – you know, that organization that teaches young folks to “be prepared.” Although I never achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, this motto has remained with me all these years.

People today may tease or ridicule us for being a Boy Scout – for the plans we make, the lists we create, and the forethought we give to projects and areas of importance. For me, being a bit of a Boy Scout has worked out pretty well.

Exercise:

Look at your own efforts to be prepared for those important opportunities you may know about – and perhaps others not currently on your radar.

Determine what additional or modified Boy Scout habits would help you make the most of the opportunities life presents.