| A mentor of mine would regularly remind me that | | | | income from a business opportunity but have rejected |
| "Opportunities don't come with neon signs". Initially I | | | | it, because it was not what we have usually seen or |
| would nod my head knowingly and would think that I | | | | thought possible, only to find out months, of even |
| knew what he meant. | | | | worse still, years later, that our neighbor or best friend |
| Like many choice concepts we need to adopt in our | | | | had seen the possibilities at the time, did the research |
| lives, when first seen they appear as tiny morsels of | | | | and was now financially free. |
| information and although in our ignorance we think we | | | | True entrepreneurs seek out these seemingly |
| have grasped it, we haven't really grasped it at all. | | | | impossible deals and then do their "due diligence". They |
| In the case of this short phrase, it was an opportunity | | | | open their eyes to the possibilities and do the research |
| in its own right and yet I really missed it. Here was an | | | | to confirm or deny their belief that there is an apparent |
| opportunity to learn one of the prime rules of | | | | opportunity. Only then, do they decide whether it holds |
| entrepreneurship and because it didn't have bright | | | | value or not. |
| flashing lights screaming out opportunity, opportunity, | | | | Once we have done the research then we can |
| opportunity, it slipped on by. | | | | choose to embrace or discard the seeming |
| It took some years and a collection of missed chances | | | | opportunity, and not until then. We must look at all that |
| of various types, that I finally had that "aha" moment. | | | | is presented to us, no matter how outlandish it may |
| And when I did realize the importance of this phrase it | | | | seem. Then we listen, truly listen, to the details of what |
| was a moment of mixed emotions. Emotions of | | | | is being offered. Once we understand what is being |
| happiness and gratitude for finally "getting it" and ones | | | | offered we need to do our research. |
| of sadness for possibilities missed. | | | | This research involves talking to experienced individuals |
| Many of us go through our lives looking squarely at | | | | who know about similar deals. This does not mean you |
| these diamonds and never seeing them. In our human | | | | consult your uncle Joe or the neighbor over the back |
| relationships we all have signals given to us and if | | | | fence, of some obscure forum on the internet unless |
| noticed and acted upon we would have fuller | | | | they are doing what you are intending. Seek out |
| rewarding liaisons with our spouses, children and | | | | people who already do what you are intending to do |
| associates. | | | | or similar. |
| For example, a loving touch from our important other is | | | | There are many individuals who can assist. If you are |
| a simple sign, if responded to and reciprocated could | | | | looking at investing in real estate find someone who |
| eventually lead to the development of a depth and | | | | invests in real estate. If you are looking at internet |
| closeness in our relationship to be unmatched. | | | | based business seek out those who are currently |
| However, if this sign is neglected it instills in the giver a | | | | doing it on the net. Read, read, read, and research. |
| seed of emptiness which if continually neglected | | | | One word of warning. There is a condition called |
| becomes a gaping chasm eventually becoming a rift in | | | | Analysis Paralysis. Victims of this condition |
| our relationships. How simply most issues can be | | | | research,research, research and never act on their |
| resolved, if only we were open to the chances staring | | | | results. All you need is 51% of the information to make |
| us in the face. | | | | a decision, the rest will fall into place. |
| We are in fact, bombarded by opportunities every day | | | | We must live our lives as much as possible in every |
| of our lives, but we don't see them because our minds | | | | moment. Be aware of all that surrounds us and take |
| are elsewhere thinking about other things instead of | | | | advantage of the bountiful resources and possibilities |
| being in the moment, in the NOW. I am sure we have | | | | that are afforded us. |
| all heard this before. Be in the Now. Live in the Now. | | | | I once heard a joke that tells this story well. |
| However, few of us ever do live in the now. Ok, I | | | | There was a flood and when the water rose a man |
| understand that we all have things to think about, the | | | | had to climb onto the roof of his house. When the |
| mortgage, and the bills, what we have to do at work, | | | | waterlapped the eaves of the roof, a canoeist came |
| issues with the kids, our partners etc., but we have to | | | | along and offered the stranded man a ride in the |
| grasp ourselves now and then, and stop the thinking | | | | canoe to safety. Being a religious man, the stranded |
| for a while, still our minds and open our eyes to the | | | | man kindly refused the offer saying that he had faith in |
| beauties in this moment. Embrace the smell of the | | | | God and that God would save him. |
| flowers and trees, drink in the sound of our children's | | | | Some hours passed and the water was at his toes |
| voices, and bask in the touch of our partner's hand on | | | | and a rescue crew came along in a speed boat and |
| ours. | | | | urged the man to go with them, but he adamantly |
| This really is all we ever have. What is happening in | | | | refused as he said God would save him. |
| this very moment is the only tangible thing we ever | | | | It was growing dark and the water had covered the |
| possess in this short existence. And with every | | | | roof entirely leaving the man sitting on the chimney to |
| moment there is huge potential dependent on what | | | | stay dry. A rescue helicopter hovered above him |
| you choose to do from then on. | | | | dangling a rope and harness to whisk him to safety. |
| The same is true for financial freedom. We all want it, | | | | Still he refused, so the helicopter moved on to assist |
| we all hunger for it. To be able to live our lives in luxury, | | | | others in danger. |
| without a care, not having to be concerned as to | | | | The man eventually drowned and went to the pearly |
| where the money is coming from to pay the bills, our | | | | gates where he immediately wanted to speak to the |
| children's education, pay for the holiday. And yet we | | | | man in charge. He strode up to his God and |
| are given possibilities to change our financial future | | | | complained bitterly, saying that he had been a pious |
| every day but brush them off on the basis that the | | | | man all his life and in his hour of need his God had |
| chance is too good to be true. | | | | forsaken him. |
| I know pessimists usually say that, if it looks too good | | | | God listened patiently, and when the man had stopped |
| to be true then it usually it. Yes, sometimes that is true, | | | | his ranting, God spoke. "I understand your anger, but I |
| but what about the times that statement isn't true. The | | | | did send a man in a canoe, some rescuers in a speed |
| times when we have walked away from a prime real | | | | boat, I even sent a rescue helicopter to help you, but |
| estate deal and only to find that the next person has | | | | you refused my assistance in every case. What more |
| seen the opportunity and has snapped it up and | | | | did you want me to do?" |
| prospered from it. | | | | Be in moment. Look at all the possibilities. Livelife. |
| Maybe we have seen the chance to build a significant | | | | |