Brandi Larkin, PMP’s Post

How do you know when you've found the right option? You'll find the right option faster if you quickly say no to the wrong ones. You need to get good at saying no while creating opportunities. Opportunities will not only increase your chances of finding the right choice but also expose you to more wrong ones. You must get very good at disqualifying the wrong options along the way. If the right option is the 15th one, you need to get through the first 14 efficiently. If you spend too much time on each wrong choice, you may never reach the right one. But if you can quickly move through the wrong options, you'll reach the right one much faster. So, being proactive and the ability to say no quickly are key to finding the right option faster.

Beyond the Tip! Sometimes, opportunities appear as just the tip of the iceberg—small and modest at first glance. But, like an iceberg, the true size and potential lie beneath the surface, waiting to be explored. When we encounter an opportunity, let’s not be discouraged by its initial appearance. Instead, let’s dive deeper, explore every possibility, and uncover its true value. What starts as a small chance can reveal vast potential with time and effort. Just as an iceberg’s hidden mass supports its visible tip, our greatest achievements often come from the depth and dedication we put into seizing and expanding those initial opportunities. For example, a job title or description might seem modest at first, but a closer look often reveals that the role’s responsibilities and impact are much greater than the title suggests. Similarly, a seemingly small business opportunity can grow into something much larger with the right effort and vision. Let’s embrace these possibilities with curiosity and determination, discovering opportunities that are far greater than they first seemed.

Not all opportunities will lead to your desired outcome but can lead you to grow and improve.

Creating Opportunities Why wait? Create opportunities. This way you are in control. You get to pick the attributes. You chose the terms. You decide the scalability. By sitting around for opportunities you miss the chance to get the exact one you want. Why? Because it comes to you. You don’t have as much of a say. If you create the opportunity you have much more input. If you are constantly looking to create opportunities you’ll have a better success rate. I've experienced this myself. When I go out and do something, I get better results. When I put in the work to have the opportunities come to me it’s less effective. Create opportunities. But first, you have to know exactly what you want to do. As well as how you’ll do it. Prepare for the opportunity. Then create it. Find a way to bring it to reality. How do you create opportunities?

Turning problems into opportunities. How can we turn a problem into an opportunity? 1. Write down the problem. 2. Write down what is causing the problem. 3. Write down a list of solutions to the problem. 4. Choose the best solution and go with it! Do not dwell on problems, see them as opportunities. Problems are inevitable in life and work so we need to think of them positively rather than negatively. There is always a solution.

I have faced situations and challenges where I had the option to say no. It would have been easier to avoid the risk of failure, but I chose to take the opportunity instead. Rather than saying no, I believe it’s better to give things a try. Even if I don’t succeed, the experience itself is valuable. By trying, I can learn why I didn’t succeed and understand what needs to be improved. Every challenge is a chance to grow and learn something new. I believe that even in failure, there are important lessons that help us get better and prepare for the next opportunity. That’s why I prefer trying over turning down opportunities.

Seizing new opportunities is essential to success. To do so, we must be proactive, take risks, and be resilient. It's also important to stay informed, build a supportive network, and continuously enhance our skills and knowledge. Remember to carefully assess each opportunity, take well-considered risks, and act decisively. Embrace failures, maintain persistence, and seek constructive feedback to prepare for and seize future opportunities. Let's continue to grow and thrive by embracing new chances. #Opportunities #GrowthMindset #ContinuousLearning

From James Clear on when to focus and when to open your aperture to ideas: "The strategy required to find a great opportunity (lots of saying yes and exploring widely) is different from the strategy required to make the most of a great opportunity (lots of saying no and remaining focused)."

I’ve come to realize that every success I’ve had in life stemmed from being able to identify and capitalize on unique windows of opportunity. When projects didn’t work out, it often was because they lacked that critical window of opportunity—there was no clear signal that it was the right time to act. Here’s what I’ve concluded: - Always stay vigilant for unique opportunities. - Don’t jump into ideas unless there’s a clear and strong signal that the opportunity is ripe.