The world is arranged the same way for you as it is for everyone else. And those whom we now see in the spotlight of fame and wealth also started from zero, simply noticing favorable opportunities and using them. Henry Ford once nearly starved to death. But he saw the opportunity to create a mass-market automobile. People laughed at him, because at that time it was unthinkable. And the “Model T,” which made him a millionaire, was called “the ugliest car in the world.” But everyone knows Henry Ford—while who remembers those who laughed? Let’s outline 10 rules that will support your success.
Rule 1. A favorable opportunity has a strange tendency to come from completely unexpected directions. An interesting feature of human nature is that in the very same situation, one person sees a favorable opportunity, while another sees only problems… If you train your mind to seek opportunities, you’ll be amazed at how many unexpected letters come your way. Life gives us more chances than we can possibly use. They are constantly around us! To see them, take the first step—clearly define your strengths and become fully aware of them.
Rule 2. If you precisely know where your “ceiling” is, you deprive yourself of favorable opportunities. By convincing yourself of your limited abilities, you become trapped in your own fears, fear of failure, and doubts. When you start feeling overwhelmed by these emotions, stop, take a deep breath, and recall your previous achievements. Find in them some useful experience that could prove beneficial.
Rule 3. Problem = Opportunity One of the main reasons we may overlook a favorable opportunity is that it most often appears in the form of a problem. When your boss, client, or customer faces a problem, you gain a wonderful chance to demonstrate your value. For example, your client doesn’t care whether a manager or a director solves their problem—they only care that the problem gets solved. Yet most of us dislike stepping beyond our job responsibilities, and then complain about the lack of opportunities. Next time your boss, colleague, or customer needs help, take the initiative and don’t refer them to someone else… Napoleon Hill calls this “going the extra mile,” and guarantees that this one habit alone can transform your life and bring more money.
Rule 4. If an opportunity knocks on your door and finds no one at home, it will go to someone else. You know the saying: “Luck is the crown of a great project.” It never comes to those who do nothing for it. Instead of taking action, we pray to God to help us win the lottery. But even God only helps those who do something. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Recall how many times you refused some venture, only to later see a friend making good money from it? You’d want to bite your elbow, but can’t reach it… Make a decision right now: act immediately when an idea comes to you. Regardless of whether you have money to launch it, connections at the tax office, or anything else. Don’t wait for something to happen—make it happen. “The strong one is not he who always makes the right decisions, but he who MAKES those decisions right.” Napoleon Bonaparte.
Rule 5. Don’t wait for opportunity to jump onto your couch—go look for where it’s hiding. Money rarely forces itself upon anyone. Always stay in search. If you’re interested in a particular hobby, for example, building model helicopters (and even this can generate income)—stay updated on all news in this field…
Rule 6. Success is a process, not an event. Great success, a major opportunity—this is the result of using smaller opportunities. By proving your value to your organization, to your clients, you gain even greater opportunities, then more and more. And so on—infinitely.
Rule 7. Live each day as if it were your last, and you will value opportunities. I once read that those who complain life is terrible and that the opportunities they have are unfavorable and too insignificant would do well to glance at the obituaries section in the newspaper… Those people would give anything to be in your place right now. Therefore, today is the last day for a new opportunity! Don’t let it pass you by.
Rule 8. Failure is your helper. If you’re currently in a deep pit, I want to tell you this: most thriving people found their opportunity precisely in failure. There was an interesting line in an American film: “The prospect of being hanged wonderfully concentrates the mind.” Our brain is most productive when we face difficulties—the instinct of self-preservation.
Rule 9. The devil is in the details. There’s a saying: “If you take care of the little things, success will take care of itself.” Pay attention to details. Everything, absolutely everything, consists of many small details we often neglect. Mentally prepare yourself not to lose sight of the little things. Let everything that seems minor and insignificant now trigger your heightened attention.
Rule 10. Tune yourself to positivity. Despite how clichéd this may sound, human nature inherently avoids associating with negative-thinking people. Recall how many times you’ve clashed with people for seemingly no reason. And remember your emotional state at that time. What was your outlook on life? Block negative thoughts from entering your mind: “I can’t,” “I won’t succeed,” “I’ll never have enough startup capital,” etc. And you’ll be amazed at the changes. You’ll achieve far more if you believe you can. Oleksiy Chornozem
