Tag: Opportunity

SEEz Oppty: Turning Vision into Victory

Have you ever wondered why certain individuals can spot potential where others see nothing but challenges? These are the ones who seem to have a sixth sense for sniffing out opportunities. The secret isn’t a mystical power – it’s a skill, and one that’s grounded in our very own biology. Welcome to the world where we ‘SEEz Opportunities’.

Spotting Opportunities:
The Power of Your Brain

Seeing opportunities isn’t an exclusive gift only bestowed upon a lucky few. It’s a skill, akin to learning to play the guitar or mastering the art of public speaking. This skill, however, focuses on your perception, and altering the way you perceive the world around you. It’s about examining situations from multiple perspectives and unveiling hidden gems of potential.

This is where the brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) comes into play. The RAS is a bundle of nerves at our brainstem that filters out unnecessary information so the important stuff gets through. It’s the reason you hear your name across a noisy room, or why you spot a friend’s face in a crowded street. Your RAS takes what you focus on and creates a filter for it, sieving through the data and presenting only the pieces that are important to you. This means once you’ve set your goals and defined what opportunities you’re seeking, your RAS will work to highlight those opportunities when they arise.

But how do we develop the skill of seeing opportunities? It starts with setting a clear vision. First, identify the types of opportunities you are seeking. Is it a lucrative business deal? A chance to score in a sports match? A potential relationship? A unique travel experience? Just like setting a GPS before a journey, you need to define your destination before setting out to discover opportunities.

The Story of Airbnb

Take the story of Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, the founders of Airbnb. In 2007, during an industrial design conference in San Francisco, they noticed that hotels were fully booked. Seeing an opportunity, they decided to rent out their living space to those who couldn’t find accommodation. That idea evolved into Airbnb, a billion-dollar company. [For a more in-depth version of this story see our SEEz Opportunity Stories page.]

Once you’ve identified the type of opportunities you’re searching for, broaden your horizon and delve deep. Look at situations from different perspectives, ask ‘what if’ and dare to dream. The world is full of untapped possibilities waiting to be discovered.

Challenge Yourself:
A Different Lens for Perception

To truly develop this skill, challenge yourself to view your world through a new lens. Each experience, encounter, and event harbors potential opportunities. The key lies in priming your RAS to recognize these opportunities. If you’re an entrepreneur, train your RAS not just to see a product, but a solution to a problem, an enhancement to a process, or an entryway to a new market. If you’re an athlete, instruct your RAS to see beyond the game, towards mastering new techniques, fostering resilience, or uncovering a passion for mentorship.

Consider Howard Schultz, who, during a trip to Italy, was captivated by the country’s coffee culture. He didn’t just see a beverage – he saw an opportunity to bring this Italian experience back to America. This new perspective led him to transform Starbucks from a single coffee bean store into a global coffeehouse chain.

But recognizing an opportunity is merely the first step. Identifying potential is futile if you don’t take proactive measures to seize it.

Act Now: The Bridge to Success

It is action that distinguishes the dreamers from the doers. Transforming an opportunity from potential to reality requires action, often involving courage, dedication, and tenacity. It might mean stepping outside your comfort zone or accepting risks. However, as the adage goes, “Fortune favors the bold.”

A classic example is that of JK Rowling, the renowned author of the Harry Potter series. She saw an opportunity to create a unique magical world, but it was her actions – writing the story, persevering through numerous rejections from publishers – that transformed her vision into a reality, creating a billion-dollar franchise in the process. [For a more in-depth version of this story see our SEEz Opportunity Stories page.]

A simple framework to inspire action:

Chart the Next Step: Each opportunity demands a unique course of action. It might involve research, initiating a conversation, or jumping in headfirst. Regardless, identify the next logical step and take it.

Establish a Timeline: Specify a time frame for action. It could be immediate, within a week, or the next month. A timeline imparts urgency and curbs procrastination.

Assess and Adapt: Following your action, evaluate the outcome. Did it bring you closer to seizing the opportunity? If not, refine your approach and try again. Failure isn’t the enemy of success; it’s part of the journey.

The Art of Seizing Opportunities

Comprehending that seeing opportunities is a skill cultivated through intentional mental training, notably through harnessing your RAS, is transformative. Like any skill, it requires practice, patience, and resilience. However, the payoff is substantial. As you master the art of ‘Seez Opportunities’, you’ll start to perceive the world in a new light, spotting potential in previously overlooked corners and ready to seize these opportunities when they emerge.

Encourage a mindset of curiosity, stay receptive to new experiences, and challenge established norms. Armed with this approach, you’ll not only spot opportunities at every turn but also be primed to seize them, converting your visions into victories.

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

[For a more in-depth story demonstrating how Stephen Curry made the most of the opportunities he was given (and created many of his own opportunities), see our SEEz Opportunity Stories page.]

Remember, opportunities don’t just materialize out of thin air – they’re identified by those with the bravery to see beyond the surface and the commitment to act. So, equip yourself with the correct mindset, sharpen your perception, and get ready to ‘Seez Opportunities’ that will lead you to success. After all, it’s not merely about what you look at, but rather, what you see through the powerful lens of your RAS.

SEEz Opportunity Stories

These three “opportunity stories” about Airbnb, JK Rowling and Stephen Curry demonstrate what it means to SEEz Oppty.

Story of Brian Chesky and Airbnb….

Brian Chesky created his own inspirational “opportunity story”

In the mid-2000s, a young man named Brian Chesky was struggling to pay his rent. He was living in San Francisco, trying to make ends meet while pursuing a dream of starting his own business.

One day, as he was brainstorming for ideas to make some extra money, he noticed that all the city’s hotel rooms were booked because of a design conference. An idea sparked in his mind – what if he could rent out space in his apartment to those who couldn’t find a hotel room?

This idea was the genesis of Airbnb, the online marketplace for lodging that has since become a multi-billion dollar company. Chesky’s story demonstrates all the key points in the concept of “Seez Opportunities”.

Vision to Opportunity…

The first key point was about understanding what kind of opportunities you’re looking for. In Chesky’s case, he was looking for a way to make money, specifically a business idea. He already had a goal in mind, which was to start a successful business.

Hidden opportunities…

The second key point was about challenging your own perceptions to uncover hidden opportunities. Chesky could have dismissed the idea of inviting strangers to stay in his apartment as crazy or risky. But he didn’t. Instead, he saw the potential value in providing a more personal, less expensive lodging option for travelers. This change in perspective is what allowed him to identify the opportunity that others missed.

Tool for spotting opportunities…

The third key point was about leveraging your brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) to spot opportunities. The RAS is the part of our brain that helps us filter out unnecessary information and focus on what’s important. By setting a clear goal of finding a business idea, Chesky’s RAS was primed to spot relevant opportunities – like the problem of unavailable hotel rooms during conferences.

Taking Action…

The fourth key point was about taking action on the opportunities you find. Once Chesky identified the opportunity, he didn’t hesitate to act on it. He and his roommate, Joe Gebbia, bought a few airbeds and created a simple website to advertise their “air bed and breakfast”. The idea took off, and they quickly expanded it into a platform where anyone could rent out their extra space.

The opportunity in continuous improvement…

The final key point was about reflecting on your actions and adjusting your approach based on the results. After launching Airbnb, Chesky and his team faced numerous challenges. They made several mistakes, but each time, they learned from their errors and adjusted their approach. They continuously improved their platform based on feedback from users, and this commitment to learning and adapting is a big part of what made Airbnb successful.

Brian Chesky’s “opportunity story” is a testament to the power of seeing and seizing opportunities. From spotting the initial opportunity to adapting his approach over time, he demonstrated all the key steps in the process. And his success with Airbnb shows just how transformative this skill can be. Whether you’re looking for a business idea, a career move, or a personal growth opportunity, the ability to “Seez Opportunities” can open up a world of possibilities.

J.K. Rowling: A Journey from Adversity to Opportunity

The backstory for J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is an incredible “Opportunity Story”

In the annals of literary history, few names shine as brightly as J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Her journey from hardship to extraordinary success is an inspiring testament to spotting and seizing opportunities.

The Struggle…

Before she became a household name, Rowling was a single mother struggling to make ends meet. She was jobless and living in Edinburgh, Scotland, going through a challenging phase that she described as being “as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless.”

Focus First…

Defining her focus was the first step in Rowling’s journey. She had always loved writing, with countless stories penned from a young age. The idea of a young wizard named Harry Potter came to her during a delayed train journey. Despite her personal difficulties, she recognized this as an opportunity to create a unique world of magic and wonder.

SEE what’s possible…

Next, Rowling demonstrated the importance of broadening one’s perception. Given her challenging situation, writing a novel might have seemed like a daunting task. Yet, she saw it as a path to change her life. She started writing the Harry Potter series in cafes while her baby daughter slept next to her, seizing every moment to create.

Rowling’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) was at work here. By focusing on her goal of completing the novel, she was able to spot opportunities in her day-to-day life to write, even when her situation was far from ideal.

Rejection after rejection…

After finishing her manuscript, she faced numerous rejections from publishers. However, Rowling seized the opportunity to learn from these rejections. She persevered, believing in her story and characters, demonstrating the ability to reflect and adapt in the face of adversity.

The opportunity she was looking for finally arrived when Bloomsbury Publishing decided to publish her book, primarily persuaded by the CEO’s eight-year-old daughter who loved the first chapter. It wasn’t an instant hit, but the opportunity had been seized, and the stone set in motion.

Opportunity in the US…

The real breakthrough came when Scholastic Inc. won the auction for the rights to publish the book in the US, giving her much-needed financial relief and international exposure. As she saw the opportunity unfold, she capitalized on it, working tirelessly on the rest of the series.

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series became a worldwide phenomenon, inspiring millions of readers and leading to a multi-billion-dollar franchise, including films, merchandise, and theme parks. What started as an idea on a delayed train journey, spotted and seized by a single mother during the toughest time of her life, became one of the most influential series in modern literature.

The Journey…

Rowling’s journey demonstrates the power of seeing and seizing opportunities. From identifying her passion for writing, to persisting despite rejections, her story reminds us that opportunities can come from the most unexpected places. It takes a clear vision, broad perception, resilience, and the courage to take action when the chance appears. It is a true “opportunity story”!

Rowling once said, “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” Her journey from rock bottom to the heights of literary success is an inspiring real-life example of seeing and seizing opportunities, providing invaluable lessons that we can all learn from.

The Inspiring “Opportunity Story” of Stephen Curry

May 10, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the basketball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs conference semifinals round at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Curry is an exceptional figure in the world of sports. He’s a two-time NBA MVP and a three-time NBA champion. Yet, his rise to stardom wasn’t straightforward. His journey perfectly encapsulates the process of spotting and seizing opportunities, which has led to his extraordinary achievements.

Growing up…

Growing up, Curry was not considered the typical basketball prodigy. He was overlooked due to his smaller size and lean build, attributes that defied the conventional idea of a basketball star. However, instead of being disheartened, Curry saw this as an opportunity to redefine expectations and focused on developing his unique style of play.

Curry’s interest was clear; he wanted to excel in basketball. His goal was to play at a high collegiate level, aiming for Division I schools, but none of the top schools recruited him. Here, he utilized the concept of Reticular Activating System (RAS). He was determined to find an opportunity, he kept his focus on his goal, and in return, his brain helped him spot potential avenues.

Rejection…

Despite the rejection from top Division I schools, he didn’t let this hinder his vision. Instead, he broadened his perception. He accepted a scholarship offer from Davidson College, a lesser-known Division I school. This move was an excellent example of challenging the traditional route and considering less obvious paths to achieve his goals.

Once at Davidson, Curry’s game flourished. He was now seeing opportunities every day and seizing them. He became one of the nation’s leading scorers and led the Wildcats on an unexpected tournament run. His performance during the 2008 NCAA Tournament, where he led Davidson to the Elite 8, was a prime example of seizing an opportunity to showcase his talent on a national stage.

Doubted …

Even with his successful college career, when the 2009 NBA Draft came, Curry wasn’t a top pick. He was selected as the seventh pick by the Golden State Warriors, a team that had been struggling for years. Many doubted his ability to perform at an elite NBA level, but Curry saw it as an opportunity.

Once in the NBA, Curry began to revolutionize the game with his extraordinary shooting and handling skills. He, along with his team, transformed the Golden State Warriors from underdogs to champions. Curry’s ability to see this opportunity, despite the odds, resulted in an unparalleled career and a transformed NBA team.

Opportunites for Growth…

Curry continually reassesses his game, reflecting on his performance and adapting his strategies. He has grown from being an excellent shooter to a versatile player who can also assist, rebound, and defend, showing his commitment to evolution and improvement.

His journey to becoming one of the greatest shooters in NBA history is a testament to the power of spotting and seizing opportunities. Curry’s story teaches us that opportunities may not always come in the shape and size we expect. It’s about adjusting our lens to spot them, having the courage to seize them, and the determination to use them to the best of our abilities.

Indeed, the “opportunity story” of Stephen Curry is a perfect real-life example of the “Seez Opportunities” mantra. It shows that opportunities are always around us – we just need to know how to identify and seize them. It’s a lesson not only applicable in sports but also in every facet of our lives.

Comment?

Please leave a comment to let us know if these “opportunity stories” helped you think about how to SEEz Oppty. Were they interesting? If you want to read Coach Wheeler’s article on how to SEEz Oppty, click here.