#MonSlay: If Opportunity Doesn’t Knock, Build a Door

We all need (or atleast, I personally need) motivation to #MonSlay so this series will be posted every Monday!

Pass right through your Sunday Scaries and find the inspiration you need to start your day strong and #CrushIt with Motivational Mondays! 

Motivational Monday #4: If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door 

Looking back on the past few years of my career, I’ve realized that I’ve had the most success when I found unique ways to take part in opportunities I was interested in, without them being given to me.  

I began my career in Merchandising but was always really interested in Recruiting. I tried my best to get involved in Recruiting opportunities at my current company, but when I hit a roadblock and couldn’t get as involved as I wanted to, I started looking for remote, part time opportunities online. 

I ended up working full time at my job as well as part time in a Recruiting position. It was a lot of work, but it allowed me to realize my true passion for Recruiting.  

I decided to switch careers and when I started interviewing for jobs, this part time Recruiting experience alone allowed me to stand out and actually get an offer. If I didn’t find a way to get the experience myself, it would have been exponentially harder for me to switch careers, especially since the switch was so random.  

It was from this experience where I learned that just because the opportunity isn’t there doesn’t mean you can’t get it. And at my new company, I’ve used this mantra to push forward in other opportunities I’ve been interested in, even if they didn’t exist for me at the time. 

How you can apply this to your life: 

Find a way to get there 

If you’re interested in pursuing an opportunity, find a way to get there, regardless of what it takes. Just because it isn’t readily open and apparent for you doesn’t mean you can’t get it.  

Take initiative 

Take the initiative to do whatever it takes to get that opportunity, whether it’s on working on relevant side projects to show your interest, taking on additional work to prove your dedication, or coming up with unique solutions to a problem even if it’s not your task at hand to solve.

Increase your chances of getting the opportunity by finding methods to improve your skills and brand and prove what you’re capable of doing. 

Be ready to strike when the iron is hot 

If the opportunity you want isn’t there, that doesn’t mean you can’t grow and learn in other ways, while waiting for the perfect time to strike.

Being prepared and taking advantage of the time you have in the meantime can help you better prepare for the new opportunity.

Once you feel comfortable with your skills and background, you’ll have a greater chance of getting the opportunity as well as excelling when you do. 

Create your own opportunities 

Change your perspective to see what else you can pursue to get to where you want to be and don’t let one opportunity define you.

Just because one opportunity isn’t there doesn’t mean you’re stuck! Redefine what your goals are and what success means to you and find other ways to get there. 

Bottom Line

Whatever you do, make sure you proactively take action to earn new opportunities, rather than hopelessly waiting for something to fall in your lap!  

[RELATED: #MonSlay: Be a Game Changer]

[RELATED: How to be Positively Relentless in Your Career]

[RELATED: How to Succeed in Switching Careers]

[RELATED: #MonSlay: Fall 7 Times, Stand up 8]