The Serendipity Habit

Why You Should Answer When Opportunity Knocks

I have a confession to make: I’m not an evil genius.
(Not yet, anyway.)

Most of what I’ve produced has not been the result of some brilliant master plan, but of serendipity. (i.e., finding what you weren’t looking for.)

Over the last four years, I’ve created sixteen different products and services, including DVDs, video podcasts, teleclasses, online courses, training programs, and private coaching programs.

And most of those weren’t the result of my business strategy. They’re things I created when opportunity knocked and I answered.

But you have to listen to hear that knocking…

So how does opportunity knock?

For me, opportunity presents itself as either a coincidence, or a kick in the bum. (Often both.)

Coincidences:

The coincidence often seems really ordinary. I read something that sparks an idea, I discover a resource, or I get invited to participate in something.

Kicks in the bum:

A kick in the bum is when somebody spurs you into action. Sometimes it’s gentle, like being told “you can do it – I believe in you”. For me, it’s more likely to be blunt. I’ve been told several times “it’s silly to wait – do it now”, “that’s your fear talking”, and even “that’s bullsh-t – if it’s important to you, just make it happen”.

And gentle or blunt, I’ve been grateful every time.

For example:

Taktaba:

This was a coincidence. I had been reading about the creative commons movement, an alternative to copyright, which is often used for sharing podcasts. At the same time, I was looking for videos on dance composition, but was frustrated that the video I wanted didn’t exist. The two ideas clicked, and I decided to make it myself.

Improv Toolkit:

This was a mix of coincidence and kick in the bum. I had just joined my public access TV station so I could produce Taktaba, when I started receiving business coaching. I told my coach that I dreamed of making a video someday, and that I even had the resources to do it, but that I needed to wait until I was a big name. She told me that it was silly to wait, and would actually be doing a disservice to all the people who needed help with improv.

Rock the Routine:

This was a self-inflicted kick in the bum. I was planning on releasing my new ebook, but then realized the information would be more usable broken into small, manageble assignments. I had always wanted to teach an online course “someday”. But since I had already announced to my mailing list that I would be releasing something, I had to go through with it!

Why is it so hard to answer when opportunity knocks?

Opportunity is all around us, but we usually don’t answer. I think this has two causes:

1) We’re not listening

When we’re busy, worried about something, or wrapped up in other plans, it’s harder to pay attention.

2) Fear

When we take advantage of an opportunity, there’s always some risk. There’s the risk that we might fail, which is embarrassing. And there’s the risk that we might succeed, which can be life-changing.

Both are scary! But I’ve learned from experience that if an opportunity doesn’t scare me (at least a little), I need to dream bigger.

Click to Tweet:

“Why don’t we answer when opportunity knocks? Usually it’s fear, or we’re just not listening.”

But-but-but you HAVE to plan!

Plans are good. Plans help you set your direction and get stuff done.

But you are the boss of your plans. They are not the boss of you.

So when an exciting and valuable opportunity presents itself, reevaluate. Don’t let your plans hold you back.

Not every opportunity needs to be pursued

Obviously, you can’t accept every opportunity that comes your way. For one thing, you won’t have time to do everything. And not every idea is a good one.

But when an opportunity gives you that butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling, and you can vividly picture how awesome it would be if you succeeded, give it some serious consideration.

Summary

Most of what I’ve created wasn’t something I planned, but the result of serendipity. Opportunity knocked, and I answered. Opportunity often takes the form of coincidences or kicks in the bum. It can be hard to hear those knocks if you’re not paying attention, or if you’re afraid of the consequences. Not every opportunity needs to be pursued, but don’t let existing plans get in the way of a fantastic opportunity.

Next Step

For the next week, pay attention to the opportunities that present themselves. You don’t have to act on them, if you’re not ready. Just make a habit of noticing coincidences and kicks in the bum.