Missile man of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, began his career as a scientist, lead the development project of India’s first SLV, headed nuclear tests at Pokhran, and became one of the best Presidents, our nation ever had.  National award winner Priyanka Chopra, from becoming Miss World at 18 to one of the best Bollywood actresses, a protagonist in American thriller series to establishing her own production company.  Oprah Winfrey from being a media executive to becoming the greatest show host, actress, and eventually a billionaire philanthropist.  Mark Zuckerberg with just a  thought of creating a social network in the Harvard dorm room to establishing Facebook and eventually one of the leading American technology conglomerates. 

One of the greatest scientists and leaders, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, one of the most established actresses, Priyanka Chopra, one of the greatest philanthropists, Oprah Winfrey, or one of the biggest media magnate Mark Zuckerberg, Look out for every success story that has come across your way. One thing common in each success story is the unparallel will to grab the right opportunities and not wait for them to happen. Nobody knew what was “THE OPPORTUNITY” for them. It has always been a journey of errors and hits and trials. A journey of knowing where I don’t want to be until one knew where exactly I want to be. All of them had a vision for the right opportunity even in obstacles. 

However, every successful person inherited or developed few attributes in common which enabled them to carve their niche. Few of which we can practice in our lives to not just recognize but also create an opportunity for ourselves: 

Take Responsibility

An ordinary person achieves extraordinary when he or she takes full responsibility for his or her goals.  As Usain Bolt states that when you feel drained or cross your limit to make the ends meet, tell yourself that “you are doing it for yourself”. This will remind you that your dreams are not someone else’s but your responsibility and hence the hard work too is for you to do.

Master Your Craft

Everybody is born with one or the other instinctive flair, but only those who grow, master, and apply their skills, reach the apex. After all, you can create an opportunity for yourself only when you are ready to justify it wholesomely. So mark your strengths and find opportunities to hone them time and again.

Small Steps but a big vision

Long-term goals or “THE DREAM” isn’t fulfilled in a single day. For you to create the right opportunity, you ought to be persistent and dedicated even to the smallest tasks that seem relevant to the bigger vision. A vision that has always given you the drive to move forward, no matter the reality. All the hard work may seem meaningless today but these steps will create a strong milestone for your aspirations. 

Focus on the motive

Sometimes asking yourself “why?”, often helps clear the fog of all the doubts and obstacles that are keeping you from creating an opportunity for yourself. Dig in deep into your subconscious and find the motivation behind your dreams, for it will help you take those strides.

Adaptability

This has two meanings. One, adapting to harsh situations in order to make things work for yourself. And the other is to cut things off that are keeping you from creating an opportunity for yourself. The only thing that should remain constant must be your dream.

Strategy over luck

There are two types of people, one who just waits for good things to happen and one who strategizes enough to make good things happen. Naturally, the former ones are the people who are found in the right place at the right time because they did their homework well. 

Be present

Most people hamper their lives by dwelling on their problems and choose to procrastinate instead of looking out for solutions. When you look past the hurdles, all your senses concentrate on how to derive solutions and you automatically present yourself with the right opportunities.

The mountain may seem challenging to climb only until you start. If you wish to create opportunities for yourself, quit putting your reality off, doubting yourself, and old habits that took you nowhere. And as it is said, opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door. Make most of all your capabilities, put all your flairs to make things work and you will find yourself creating opportunities for yourself.