10 Rules For Life: Rule #7 – IT’S BETTER TO BE READY FOR AN OPPORTUNITY AND NOT HAVE ONE THAN TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND NOT BE PREPARED

Working towards something we cannot see or feel or hold is a definite challenge for us as humans. Our minds are wired to work towards certain goals we set for ourselves but we can often lose sight of these because the things that we are passionate about or enjoy doing don’t seem to fit in with the present construct of society. This can lead us to either give up on our true ambitions or to pursue a path that society coerces us into.

There’s a story of a young Disc Jockey (DJ) who loves what he does and wants to do it for a living, but doesn’t have a job. He questions, ‘how can I work as a DJ if I don’t have a job?’ He applies for a job at a radio station and approaches the producer only to be turned away because he is lacking in journalism experience and a broadcasting background. Under the advice of his mentor he is told, “don’t take it personally, most people are so negative they will have to say ‘no’ seven times before they say yes” his mentor says “go back again”. The young DJ’s persistence finally pays off after the third time he returns to the same producer asking for the same opportunity. His greatest goal (to be a DJ) is not immediately achieved by the opportunity he receives to deliver food and coffee to the currently employed Disc Jockeys. He does not leave until he is asked to leave each night.

An opportunity comes one Saturday night when he is the only other person other than the live broadcaster watching through the control room window. Due to unforeseen circumstances the DJ cannot continue. Soon after, the young ambitious man receives a call from the general manager that someone needs to take over, and he is the man.

It just goes to show that persisting at the things we love and the things that drive us will get us to the places we desire to be. If we can find enjoyment in the challenges that being knocked back presents we can be better prepared for opportunities that will present themselves in the future.

Persisting at the things we love and the things that drive us will get us to the places we desire to be

The opportunities we desire may not exist now, and that is the biggest challenge of them all. Opportunities just don’t come knocking on your front door, ever. You have to go out and do the knocking yourself. You may knock on hundreds of thousands of doors to no avail, but you just need one to answer your plea and all the preparation suddenly becomes necessary for you and you realise that the work you have been doing can now be utilised in new and different ways than you ever anticipated.

Opportunities just don’t come knocking on your front door, ever. You have to go out and do the knocking yourself.

The truth is, time is always moving and passing by constantly. Use every day to work on yourself and be proud of your work each day. Opportunities come when we least expect – however, they can only be taken effectively if we are ready and prepared before they come.

Here is a video from Les Brown – The Disc Jockey behind the story.