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Written By: Paul VanderGriendt, Event Management Coordinator Mentorship Session Diary. Entry 20
How we think about and act upon the opportunities that come up in our life can have a huge impact on our journey. Missed opportunities can help shape who we are by how we react to them. When we dwell on these situations and allow them to become regrets, we aren’t using these experiences to our advantage. How we bounce back from missed opportunities and use them as positive learning experiences, can help us build resilience and prepare ourselves for the next opportunity that comes our way.
Sometimes we can look to blame other people or circumstances out of our control as the cause for missed opportunities. But often we restrict ourselves. We can work towards maximizing our potential by being aware of our bad habits and patterns that aren’t benefiting us and trying to break them. The fear of failure can hold us back from taking chances, when not taking that chance can result in failure no matter what. New opportunities can come up in the most unexpected places. Self doubt and uncertainty can creep into our minds, even when we know it will only hold us back.
Putting our personalities, our skills, and our strengths on display is how we can set ourselves apart and open new doors. Sometimes it’s difficult to be aware of even our own strengths as a person, but we need to also acknowledge when others recognize the potential we have. When others see something in us that we don’t see ourselves, this is another opportunity for us to learn and accept that we are capable of more. By building confidence in ourselves we can overcome the nervousness and apprehension of approaching unfamiliar situations.
By having the right mindset and trying to be prepared for every opportunity, even when it comes unexpectedly, we are setting ourselves up for success. When we always strive to be present, engaged and put effort into everything we do, we are able to not only seize opportunities, but create opportunities for ourselves. We tend to have more control over our own situation then we often feel like we do. When we think big picture about who we want to be and the legacy we want to leave, that can help guide our choices and determine what we make of today.