Where to Find Opportunities
Ever wonder how some people seem to always have opportunities they are considering. Have you ever thought, how do they find them? Do they read about them somewhere? Just happen to be in the right place at the right time. Are they just lucky?
"Every opportunity is attached to a person. Opportunities do not float like clouds in the sky. They’re attached to people. If you’re looking for an opportunity — including one that has a financial payoff — you’re really looking for a person." - Ben Casnocha, Entrepreneur and investor
You are more in control of coming across opportunities than you think.
Here are 3 ways that you can start and attract them:
Seeking new relationships
You can't attract new opportunities your way if those opportunities don't know where to knock. You need to get yourself out there and let people know you exist! And the best way to do that is to network. This network needs to happen not only inside your own bubble but with people OUTSIDE of your field as well.
The good news is that the pandemic has made us pivot our way of networking. Gone are the days of eating muffins and talking to strangers at an event. But this opens opportunities to stretch and networks in other ways. Get close to industry people you admire or think are influential on Twitter, Instagram, blogs. Start with commenting on their posts and begin a dialogue there and you can always get into more in-depth conversations via email.
Share your knowledge
We are all good at something. Think about what you are good at, usually what you excel at is something you enjoy. Dig deep into your strengths and your knowledge and then share it - write articles, guides, workbooks, do social posts, find ways to speak in events, do a webinar. When you give back in the form of knowledge, you are establishing yourself as an authority in your field and, guess what? You will be the person that they will seek or send others your ways. Do the same for those that are in your circle as well.
Intentional relationship building
Listening is complicated, and even more challenging is listening to engage by asking more questions.
Asking more questions tells the person you are genuinely interested in what they have to say and want to learn more. The key is being genuine; if you are not honest in building a deeper, more meaningful relationship, then it will come off that you have an alternative motive or are self-centered.
I am sure that is not the impression you want to give, so set a challenge, and for every answer to a question you receive, ask 2 more questions to build upon the topic of conversation. As a result, you will form a natural connection and set yourself apart.
Having meaningful exchanges, articulating what you are looking for in conversations with others, sharing. your expertise and seeking new relationships, are all ways in which you interact with people. Putting them all into practice will translate into opportunities to consider.
