Let no Opportunity Slip

Let no Opportunity Slip

1988 10 October 13 Let no Opportunity Slip (355) There is no doubt that most great successes have resulted from the timely seizing of opportunities. No matter what one’s sphere of activity is, one must constantly be on the alert for any opportunity that comes one’s way. And one should remember the old saying: “Opportunity knocks but once.” Fail to avail of it and it is lost forever.

A study of America’s barons of industry, carried out to discover what takes them to the top, revealed that what distinguishes them from those who never make any great success of their lives is their passion for work – a passion quite as powerful as any other human urge. For American tycoons, work takes precedence over wives, children, holidays and hobbies. They are often so intent on work that they look upon holidays as an unwelcome distraction. The deciding factor in their outstanding success is their being “masterful opportunists, keenly alert to any chance for personal advancement.”

There is no doubt that most great successes have resulted from the timely seizing of opportunities. No matter what one’s sphere of activity is, one must constantly be on the alert for any opportunity that comes one’s way. And one should remember the old saying: “Opportunity knocks but once.” Fail to avail of it and it is lost forever.

New opportunities are never so veiled that they cannot be perceived in the normal course of events. Many people do become aware of them, but those who actually come forward to avail of them are generally very few in number. This is mainly because of the element of risk which is so often a feature in the grasping of new opportunities. Fear of incurring a loss very often conquers hope at the outset. Inertia, laziness and a propensity to think too much are other factors which prevent timely action. It is only those who are quick to take decisions and who can take the risk factor in their stride who have any chance of success.

We must learn not only to recognize opportunities, but to avail of them the moment they come our way. That is the sure path to success.