When An Opportunity Presents, Do You Seize The Moment?

When an opportunity presents to further your career, do you;

Seize the moment and grab it with both hands? OR
Do you retreat, wishing you had the courage to say YES?

Why is it that so many of us have fallen for the curse of the shrinking violet at some point in our pursuit of leadership success?

You have been presented with an opportunity you know is perfect. It is the thing that will help you to move forward, take the next step toward your career aspiration or give you the experience you have been looking for… but, instead of jumping at it with determination and gusto, you retreat to the comfort of what you already know.

I have heard it all from women in leadership. It doesn’t seem to matter what level of experience they are at or how much success they have had in the past; self doubt, procrastination and inaction are evil companions holding many extraordinary women back.

The truth is that success has come to the great leaders of our time by saying YES and grabbing the opportunities as they arise.

One of the most powerful lessons I have learnt from my mentors is to: “Say YES and then work out how!”

I can tell you, there are times when I wanted to run and hide, stay with what was safe and comfortable or stick with my automatic gut reaction to say NO … but if I had done that I would not have enjoyed the exhilaration that comes from achieving those things that I really wanted to do.

I have found that there is always someone out there who will support, guide and stand by me while I conjure up the courage … I just need to be willing to ask.

Opportunities are fleeting. If we don’t take action on them they will pass or be taken up by someone else. And how much does that hurt… seeing someone else doing the thing you really wanted for yourself?

This quote sums this idea up really well.

"Be willing to make decisions. That's the most important quality in a good leader. Don't fall victim to what I call the ready-aim-aim-aim-aim syndrome. You must be willing to fire." — T. Boone Pickens

If this is speaking to you, make today the day you make a decision, put yourself first and take action.

Know that you are worthy. Know that you are ready. Know that it takes a little risk to move forward. And, most of all, know that if you keep doing the same things, you will keep getting the same results. To get unstuck takes making some new decisions and taking some new actions.

I understand that sometimes the fear of the unknown is scarier than sticking with the status quo… but is the status quo what you really want? And what is it costing you right now?

Some years ago I allowed some great opportunities to pass me by. I allowed my fear to hold me back and keep me from doing what I really wanted. My career flat lined and the impact on my health and home life was significant. Everything about my career and life could be best described as mediocre.

I no longer allow mediocre in my life and I no longer allow the right opportunities to pass me by.

Life is too short to settle for mediocre!

Make today the day you seize the moment. Say yes to the opportunities that are open to you and step forward boldly to create the best for yourself.

You are worth it!