In this article, I want to tell you about an ability that lies within you, waiting to be sharpened - ready to help you move, thrive and succeed through the adventure that is life.

I want to tell you about how you can grasp and seize opportunities that are not at all obvious. While it may sound mysterious, it is an ability that is within us all. Perhaps it is just something that few take the time to develop.

The opportunities I am talking about could be for adventure, relationships, creativity or perhaps even maximum profit!

To explain what I am talking about I need to tell you a story - or perhaps a very peculiar situation I observed. It was this unusual situation that gave me the inspiration to write and give you this message.

Many years ago, I was sitting on a bus departing from Bondi Beach journeying up Bondi Road in Sydney. The bus was taking a long time to move up the hill, stopping at almost every stop along the way. Around me were bored faces staring out the window, sitting frustrated waiting to arrive at their destination.

A few meters ahead, a man sat side on to me with his face down looking toward his lap. His hair was unkempt and his clothing looked a little old and shabby. However, it seemed he had applied effort to dress as smartly as possible with what he had. Despite his slightly untidy appearance, he had an air of calmness and his spirit was strong. For the purpose of this story, I will refer to him as 'The Quiet Man.'

I could tell that everything was not 100% ok with him, perhaps interacting with the world was not so easy for him. He did not seem like a regular person in society, whose life was like a dream and career in cruise control.

I got the sense that perhaps on this bright sunny Sydney day, just to make it outside, being amongst people on the way to a busy shopping area, was a big effort. Having been through times in my life when I was so low and felt there was no hope, that getting outside felt almost impossible - I could relate to the man. Knowing that the simple action of making outside, to look around and interact with people a little - was an achievement in itself.

As the bus started to fill with people, the man kept his face towards his lap, sitting in complete silence.

At one stop a bright, beaming, cheerful man in his early to late thirties stepped onto the bus and sat directly across from the quiet man. The type of guy who seemed popular with the locals and would have no problem making conversation with anyone.

He had a reddish tan from being in the sun and seemed to be filled with confidence. The man's eyes darted around looking at the ceiling, as he smiled, lost in thought about any number of activities in his life. I will call him 'The Bright, Beaming Man' or maybe... just 'The Beaming Man.'

Suddenly, without warning or moving at all, the quiet man let out an unusually loud,

"Hello."

Toward the bright, confident man. It wasn't really a 'hello' but more of a croaky sounding 'haro' with the 'L sound changed to an 'R'.

Shocked the cheerful man opposite replied...

"Hello, mate!"

He replied trying not to laugh in shock, as many people on the bus stopped talking and focused their attention - staring, silently at the two men. He smiled with an endearing tone of compassion for the stranger doing his best to make conversation.

Then the quiet man let out a peculiar question - completely out of the blue. The whole bus had gone completely silent, staring at the two, in anticipation...

"Wanna go halves in a scratchie?"

The quiet man's intonation rose with a slightly cheeky grin as he engaged with the man. It was like deep inside, he knew he was going to catch the beaming man off guard with his unapparent, silent inner genius.

'Scratchie' is slang for a scratchcard instant lottery ticket.

The bright, beaming man's face jolted for a moment in shock, slightly laughing, embarrassed by 15 - 20 people staring at him.

The bright, beaming man seemed to have to catch his breath for a moment, not knowing how to respond to the quiet man's completely random, off the cuff question.

"Nah... Nah, mate..."" slightly laughing, looking self-conscious with a bus full of eyes fixated on his response. "I'm ok."

Then the shy, quiet man without lifting his gaze, slightly tilted his head in an awkward gesture. Doing his best to smile, he replied.

"You never know, it could be your lucky day!"

The bus remained silent for what seemed like a minute, as an audience of eager onlookers giggled under their breath watching the quiet man's direct business proposition taking place.

The quiet man then once again returned his full attention to his lap, where he seemed to be quite active in his own internal world.

A few people around me tried not to laugh out loud at the sudden and random nature of the situation, but I sat there in silence - deep in thought. Pondering how such a shy man had mustered the courage to propose his idea. Thoughts of the situation floated in the back of my mind throughout the day.

Later that night, I relayed the story in detail to a mentor at the time. A serial entrepreneur who had become well known in Australia's street culture scene as a pioneer - creating the first specialty store in Melbourne entirely dedicated to Hip Hop.

When I told him the story, he too was a little stunned. Laughing, he shouted out with volume...

"He's an opportunist!"

The mentor used the word 'opportunist' not in the literal meaning of the word - which is negative, but rather flipped the meaning into something positive. Implying that the quiet man was someone who created or came up with ideas out of nowhere.

It was then that I realized what I had been contemplating all day. Regardless of the unusual circumstances and shy, awkward nature of the man - what the mentor implied was true.

The quiet man was someone who found opportunity in a situation nobody else saw, within the most banal and ordinary of settings. Like finding treasure from the aether - while others just looked on.

He was a Man Who Grasped Opportunities Out of Thin Air!

Now it wouldn't it be my recommendation to spend your energy on lotteries or gambling. I believe it is better to apply your focus and luck on something with better odds. For example... a marketing idea, a new sales endeavor, a creative project, an adventure in a new place or even making a new friend.

Anyway...

Here are some ideas of how you too, can create opportunities with little resources or capital. You might think of these points as more a way of thinking, than a strict A to Z list of activities.

• If You Have a Crazy Idea - Pay Attention to It! - Embrace ideas that are absurd, ridiculous and out of this world. If you have an outlandish, positive idea - don't pass it off as nonsense. Any outrageous idea can be refined into something practical - or profitable!

• Practice Daydreaming - When I was in school, I was sometimes told off for daydreaming in class, but... I believe that daydreaming is actually a positive, creative activity of the mind. You see, when you daydream your mind shifts brainwaves to more alternate frequencies than everyday regular activity. So, by paying attention while in this state, you have access to a treasure trove of subconscious streaming thoughts. I am not saying to daydream while doing something that your life or other peoples lives depend on - like driving a car, motorbike, cutting vegetables or keeping your wits about you on a dark and unknown street, but... if you are in a comfortable place daydreaming can lead to all sorts of positive and creative ideas.

• See the World from the Perspective of an Artist - Regardless of your profession, seeing the world through a creative lens can help you come up with new marketing ideas. Whether you are in sales, marketing, business or any number of fields - changing the filter of one's perspective could lead to an evergreen new entrepreneurial idea!

• Be Detached from The Result - If that new opportunity that you are really excited about doesn't work out like you had imagined... It's all good. Move on. Keep moving. When one door closes, another opens. Be ready like a hawk to seize the next exciting opportunity or adventure.

• Don't be like everybody else - Don't think like everybody else! Making a decision to think in your own unique way regardless of what other people think, leads to believing in your ideas. Having conviction in one's dreams is magnetic - it could attract new opportunities. If you think like everyone else, it can only lead to one thing - being like everyone else.

• Practice Outreach - Perhaps this is one of the most important points. Outreach is a daily reality to salespeople, copywriters, marketers and headhunters - but it can create opportunities for anyone, whether it is a new friendship, relationship, helping someone or even a mind-blowing new idea. Whichever way you look at it, the quiet man on the bus was practicing outreach. His proposition wasn't going anywhere just swirling around in his psyche. By making contact with the world or people you haven't met - your new promotion could start making real waves.

• Have Courage! If you see an opportunity that is worth it - go for it! Whether it be a new business idea, a sales promotion, making a new friend or maybe even hitting the jackpot in profits on a new entrepreneurial idea waiting to become a reality!

That is because, you are worth it.

It may take many attempts, but like any new skill or ability - practice makes perfect.

If there is anything that is worth taking a chance on - it is your own success and purpose in this life. Like on the bus... Many onlookers might think you look funny or that your ideas are crazy... but be calm... keep your mind on the positive and persist...

Because...

You Never Know... It Could Be Your Lucky Day!

Wishing you the best and good luck!

Sean Kavanagh

PS. One more thing. Recognize situations where there are absolutely no opportunities and let go. Keep moving. Getting the gist of this can take a little time. We can talk about this again later.

PPS. If you really want to explore intense adventures and the most bizarre side quests... Go get my book now at the link below - right now!!

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