People don’t often discuss the importance of being an opportunist. Typically, the term “opportunist” carries negative connotations, but I’ve found that one of the keys to success in life is attracting as many opportunities as possible.
Not all opportunities are worth pursuing, but the more you attract, the greater your chances of accessing valuable resources. This, I believe, is essential for humans. God placed us on Earth to be resourceful, fruitful, and build His kingdom. When we take this purpose seriously, we align ourselves with abundance. If you’re not experiencing abundance, it’s likely because you’re misusing your resources, often due to addiction or living unintentionally.
The Importance of Opportunity
Why strive to be an opportunist? Opportunities position you favorably to gain access to resources otherwise beyond your reach. Contrary to popular belief, opportunities don’t always come knocking at your door; they emerge when you position yourself favorably. Essentially, opportunity is a system of favor, something I consistently pray for.
When I pray for favor, I’m asking God to use me in ways that bring me closer to valuable resources: a well-paying job to support my family, fruitful gardens to reduce expenses, good deals on homes, reliable vehicles, or successful businesses that ensure generational wealth.
However, opportunities don’t merely seek those favored—they seek individuals who are either ready or willing. The ideal scenario is being both ready and willing, but even possessing one of these traits can position you effectively.
Being Ready for Opportunity
Being ready means you’ve spent considerable time developing specific skills or expertise. It might look like obtaining a degree in a particular discipline or gaining extensive job experience. Perhaps you’ve learned baking from your grandmother, consistently producing delicious bread. It could also be rigorous physical training, preparing you perfectly for an athletic opportunity, or years spent mastering coding languages like Python or SQL, now highly demanded in the job market.
Readiness means you’ve done something consistently enough to become adept at it. You don’t need extra time to study, rehearse, or train when the opportunity arises—you are already prepared.
Being Willing Without Readiness
On the other hand, you might find yourself willing but not ready. This scenario excites me the most because it’s where transformation occurs. I call this “doing it while scared.” You recognize your knowledge gaps yet choose to step into opportunities anyway. This willingness positions you to learn and grow, even if you initially fail. Over time, these experiences prepare you, making you both ready and willing for future opportunities.
Combining Readiness and Willingness
The ultimate scenario is being both ready and willing. When you possess both, you become unstoppable, effectively extracting maximum value from every opportunity. This alignment helps you build God’s kingdom, care for your family, leave a lasting legacy, and solve meaningful problems. The combination of readiness and willingness transforms you into a valuable problem solver, effectively utilizing opportunities and resources.
Avoiding the Worst Scenario
The scenario you must avoid is being neither ready nor willing—unprepared and fearful. Start with a mindset of willingness, be open to learning, and work towards readiness. Eventually, you’ll embody both traits and consistently capitalize on opportunities.
The Right Way to Be an Opportunist
While many view being an opportunist negatively, this perspective requires reconsideration. Avoid being an opportunist who preys on vulnerable individuals or seeks quick, unethical gains. Instead, be an opportunist dedicated to achieving meaningful goals aligned with a purpose greater than yourself—goals that positively impact the world, offering genuine returns on your time, energy, money, and health.
Ultimately, being an opportunist should not only advance your objectives but also enable and inspire others. Strive to be an opportunist who builds a better world, supports those in need, and aligns actions with how God intends to use you.
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