A Case About Opportunities, Are They Really Everywhere?

There are good times and bad times. During good times we forget about bad times. When we're in bad times we remember the good times. Opportunities happen in both times but we're more aware of them in bad times because during bad times, we search for them.

This is a post about the two perspectives about opportunities. The 'opportunities are everywhere' camp and the 'opportunities are rare' camp.

With an open eye and ears, you can see opportunities everywhere. It's just a matter of unleashing your creativity and understanding patterns and trends. When you lack resources, you're forced to be inventive in order to just get by. It mostly happens in bad times because there is this sense of urgency of doing anything to get out of the situation or things might get worst, you just can't sit and do nothing. (The story of Rapper 50 Cent growing up alone in Jamaica, New York is a great example) I just got fired from my job and I got bills and family to take care of or I find myself in a new country where I don't know anyone and I have to fend for myself. In both examples, your mindset shifts dramatically and you look for opportunites wherever you can.

However, it also has it's flaws. If opportunities are everywhere then why rush? If you miss this one another one will come. It's everywhere right? If I'm ready I'll find one. Clearly, that's not the approach taken by the examples given above nevertheless their are some people who behave like that. Not going through a bad time, no sense of urgency. Opportunities can wait for them until they are ready.

For the 'opportunities are rare camp'. They are looking for a way to hit it real big. They've been on the journey for awhile now. It's not necessarily a shortcut but they're looking for a way to reach at their destination early. If it had to take 7 years, they want to make it in 3 to 4 years. An analogy would be, arriving at a sea shore looking for a way to get to the other side. You've been there thinking about instruments and what will get you to the other side. After sometime and out of the blue, a big ferry makes a stop heading to your destination next. After a hectic season or tournament, you've finally reach the final and have a chance at winning the cup. There's no guarantee that you'll reach the final again so it's a rare opportunity. In both cases, your preparedness is the determining factor. If you were in the forest or somewhere else, the ferry would leave without you. If you weren't in the tournament, you wouldn't have the chance of getting to the finals.

If you're observant around people listening to what they say, you will come across this two perspectives about opportunities. How about you? Which one do you lean into?

I personally think it depends on the situation either in life or business. Both can be utilitised at the right moment to achieve your purpose. But for the later part, you have to be prepared.