Stop grieving over lost chances, dream of new opportunities

One of my greatest fears is the thought that one day there could be very many opportunities ‘staring me right in the face’, which I would unfortunately not be able to recognise.I try to figure out all possibilities, the opportunities; the plans in place, the realisation of the plans, the resource allocated or that would be misallocated and those that could not be put to optimal use. I dread looking back some day and seeing many missed opportunities that I could not identify for one reason or another or even because of momentary short sightedness. I like to ask myself what vision I take to my workplace and how this vision translates into opportunities in leadership and management.When you know what your vision and mission are, then the constant question is finding a vehicle to get you there.What are the opportunities to take or the pitfalls to avoid? I have found several things helpful on that precious journey, when entrusted with huge responsibilities. It is something good to take time and let your mind free to wonder though issues, people, organisations, yourself; taking time to reconcile yourself to what you have done or not done and why you have to do all these things. This is a time to create and cultivate inner peace and sobriety with yourself, quite often amid turbulence.I have discovered that listening to my inner self is very important; just as to listen to new ideas, perceive opportunities and reactions of everyone out there. There are still those who will feel unheard, yet listening to diverse and even contradicting views makes you grow. It is in the same way I listen to myself.Sometimes this will drive you to take risks, which is not an entirely bad thing. Risking has been helpful, going where you have never been before, tying out new ideas or the same things in a different way. All the while, savouring success and accepting failure with dignity and not allowing either to spoil you. I also realised it is better to try something and fail than sitting back, waiting for that opportunity to come your way. When you fail, you learn from the experience and come out as a better person. Anything is possible, those who have achieved it in life will tell you that sometimes you have try out something many times or invest in a project you are not so sure will succeed. The life of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the US, testifies that the choices you make and not chances determine your destiny. Lincoln was born into a poor family and had to work for 10 hours daily by the age of seven. By the time he was 25 years old, he had failed twice in business, and lost his fiancée, Ann Rutledge. He also suffered a nerve breakdown at 26 years and had lost six times in various elections, including the presidency, when he was between 29 and 49 years old. When asked why he remains cheerful in face of constant adversity, he was emphatic. “It has been my observation that people are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”Missed businesses; lost opportunities that stared at you right in the face is a sad thing for a leadership, organisations and even you at a personal level. I guess its one of the worst feelings to look back and see how blind or naive you were! Try out things many times as possible.