Double Your Salary by Creating Opportunities (Part 10)
Image sourced by Isaac Smith @isaacmsmith
Every once in a while, I scratch my head, wondering, “What was I thinking?”
And “Why didn’t I take action?”
How about You?
Notwithstanding some bumps in the road, I have been successful over the years and I am proud of it!
But, I sure have stubbed my toe, tripped and just plain fallen flat on my face, Numerous Times.
While there are many reasons why I succeeded and of course one is hard work, the biggest advances came from the fact that I had set goals and created a plan. And created opportunities!
Keeping my eyes open – continuously looking – to find the next step towards achieving my goals – has made a big difference.
Oh and picking myself up after I fell down, dusting myself off and continuing to move forward.
And being blessed to have some truly fantastic and supportive friends and family members.
If you’ve been following Budget and Grow Rich®, you know that Trader Joe’s is my favorite grocery store.
Last week, I went to Trader Joe’s to buy groceries.
I purchased Trader Joe’s Organic Yellow Corn Tortilla Chip Rounds. Quite tasty, although unfortunately I try to avoid buying them because I tend to eat way too many – binge eating if you will.
A woman whose name happened to be Sarah was in the next checkout lane. She eyed my tortilla chips, took two steps towards me and smiled, “I love those.”
I asked her if she wanted some, but she declined, “I have to have willpower. I eat too many of them.”
Unfortunately, I can relate. . .
She left the store before I finished paying. I hurried to follow.
I stopped at her car and made some silly, innocuous comment, which I can’t quite recall now. Since she was putting a large watermelon into her trunk, I may have asked if she liked watermelon. Duh, of course she did!
Another sentence or two later, she said, “I don’t usually come to Trader Joe’s at this time.”
After an awkward silence, I said something and then, “Have a great day,” and walked away.
Now we’ll Never Know whether a woman was hitting on me or merely being friendly.
All I had to do was ask her if she wanted to get together for a coffee or a cocktail. Or if she was merely being friendly. . .
What’s the worst thing she could have said???
Sure wish I had asked her! The curiosity bothers me.
What are the odds of meeting Sarah again. . .
How about You?
Seven or eight years ago, I met a woman named Cheryl on Match.com.
One Friday night, we went on a date.
Seemed like we had good chemistry and at the end of the date, she asked me to drive her to her car which was just a few blocks away from the restaurant.
Unfortunately, I had Failed to clean my car Before the date. I keep a paper grocery bag for trash on the floor on the passenger side. In addition, a few discarded papers were sitting comfortably on the passenger seat.
I had to lean in to the car and clean up the trash.
Ruined the moment! UGH!
I doubt we would have been a great match in the end, but we’ll Never Know. . .
◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊
Looking to build outrageous wealth and live your dream life?
The Secret is to create your personal spending plan. To multiply your wealth!
Click here!
◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊<§>◊◊◊
Grab these 21 steps to create opportunities and position yourself for success:
What opportunities would you like to enjoy?
What do you want to achieve?
Set goals!
Set specific opportunities and concrete goals! Again, be specific, crystal clear. Be precise and exacting.
What ingredients and tools do you need to acquire or build in order to create the opportunities you want next?
Lay out a sequence of goals and opportunities and continually look to create opportunities for yourself. It may be the case that your ideal opportunity or goal is a number of steps or goals or a number of opportunities away. In instances where there’s a series of steps or goals – building blocks – proceed sequentially. We call the initial goals interim goals or near-term goals. They build up to your final goal, your end-goal. Pursue each – one, two, three, etc. But don’t be rigid; life isn’t always neat and orderly. There are many paths to the finish line and many bumps along the way.
What steps can you take to put yourself in the best position to make progress, achieve your goals, succeed, achieve your desired success and win?
What knowledge do you need to acquire to succeed?
What skills do you need to learn?
What experience do you need to gain?
Would you benefit from studying a new subject, taking a particular course or training or getting a particular certification, certificate or a badge?
Who should you speak with to learn and to help guide your journey? Or, absent knowing the specific people to speak with, what type of person or type of people (career, profession, expert, etc.) could you speak with to get insight, knowledge and know-how to advance towards your goals?
What action steps could lead you to achieve the next step in your pathway and your ultimate goal?
What opportunity or opportunities could you create that would help you advance your mission, achieve your goals and succeed?
What if. . .
If ‘this’ happens, what could you do next?
If ‘that’ happens, what could you do next?
What can you do now to prepare – get ready – for the moment when opportunity knocks?
Could you run through different scenarios in your mind?
How can you practice your scenarios and potential action plans beforehand?
What do you need to do to ensure that you seize the opportunity when your chosen opportunity arrives? For example, when a ‘Sarah’ appears out of thin air.
Make entries in your calendar – Outlook, iCalendar, etc. to schedule time to take action and make progress to accomplish your goals. Give yourself enough advance notice and ample time to leave yourself time to prepare and get ready to seize the opportunity at hand and the opportunity that’s just around the corner.
Get ready now!
How about You?
We All miss opportunities along the road to success.
Don’t beat yourself up!
I used to beat myself up but I don’t anymore!
William Arthur Ward, motivational speaker and author, said, “Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.”
Ain’t that the truth and especially with Sarah.
Wise words to remember.
What will you do when your opportunity knocks on your door?
Will you be ready?
Will you jump into action?
For sure you’ll fare better than I did with Sarah and Cheryl!
Get mentally ready so when opportunity knocks, you’ll open the door and walk through.
Make it happen for yourself and your family!
See you at the finish line,
Arthur VanDam
P.S. 10X your success – click here.
Budget and Grow Rich® – ISSN: 2992-9296 – USA International Standard Serial Number
Disclaimer: OH and Please Remember, we are Not financial advisors, financial planners, attorneys or accountants and are Not providing any specific financial, tax, accounting or legal advice here. Be sure to conduct your own due diligence and consult your own professional advisors to get sound professional advice that’s specific to your financial and personal circumstances, risk tolerance, time horizon and investment goals and objectives among other key factors!
Take your Business, Career & Life to a New Level with this Experiential, Immersive Live Event FREE!
How to Make Money in your Spare Time Writing Letters.
How to Succeed and Achieve Your Dreams!
Tired of the rat race?
To Succeed even bigger, greater and stronger, 10X your success – click here.