As I was enjoying a bag of popcorn, my youngest Yorkshire terrier ran up and wanted to have some, too. I shared a couple of pieces with her, dropping them on the floor for her to retrieve. One-piece fell right under her feet. The other piece bounced under a pile of books. Instead of taking the piece that was right under her, she went for the difficult piece under the books. It took her a full fifteen minutes to recover the lost piece of popcorn.

As I watched Surrobbie, the story of “Acres of Diamonds” came to mind. The story is about a farmer who leaves his farm in search of riches. Years pass and he returns broke and broken dying a poor man. His farm is sold and the new owner, while plowing the fields, discovers a stone. The stone turns out to be a large rough diamond, which leads to a diamond mine, the largest ever discovered. The farmer had the greatest opportunity available to him right where he was, but he went searching elsewhere for his opportunity.

I have experienced this in my own life when instead of seeing the opportunities presented to me I went searching elsewhere. Maybe it comes from the belief that the grass is always greener elsewhere or perhaps if it seems too easy, we think it can’t be valuable. Part of being able to seize the opportunities comes with the ability to recognize them even when they show up under our noses.

Coaching

Before traveling off to see what opportunities exist somewhere else, take some time to explore the opportunities that are present right where you are. Many great things can be right under our feet if we are willing to uncover them and recognize them. This isn’t to say that seeking opportunities elsewhere isn’t a good thing. Just be sure that you know what opportunities you are leaving behind before you go.

Coaching Question

What opportunities are you missing?

Coaching Challenge

Write down five opportunities that are available to you right where you are and what you can to do about them. If you can’t come up with anything, just give yourself permission to dream and brainstorm and use your imagination. Remember, the opportunities right where you are might be the most difficult ones to recognize. If you are struggling with this, ask a friend or coach to help you identify opportunities that you might be overlooking.

Daily Success Formula

Acres of Diamonds = Undiscovered Opportunities

Quotes

“Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast. In the pool where you least expect it, will be a fish.” Ovid

“The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment, it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone.” Orison Sweet Marden

“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.” Tom Peters