Missed Opportunities

I think we can all agree that in life we are consistently being presented opportunities. Often times the word opportunity gets thrown around in relation to business and entrepreneurship, but in actuality it can be the opportunity to go hang out with a friend, to go on a vacation, to see a movie. Whatever it might be, opportunities come our way all of the time. If you’re anything like me, you have a lot going on and because of that sometimes we just do not have the time to do everything that we want to do which means we may miss out on opportunities. That’s fine!

I remember when I first started out in entrepreneurship I wanted to do everything, if someone threw an opportunity my way to start up a business I would immediately go for it. At the time I thought that was what I was supposed to do, but I had no idea what that would mean for me in regards to time and energy spent. As I’ve had more experience I’ve come to understand that somethings are better passed up on. What is the point of starting up a business if you’re not going to devote time to building it? I’ve come to understand that it is better to devote 100% of your energy to one or several things versus 10% here and there to 20.

Another example I could use is college. I could’ve easily gotten a full ride scholarship to college, but I decided that college is not and was not the route that I wanted to go. Many people in my circle said that was a huge missed opportunity. I remember them saying “Isaac, you’ve worked so hard in school, and now you’re not even going to go and get a higher education.” The criticism stung a little bit I’ll admit it, but I know that by passing up on that opportunity the doors to many more were opened. That takes me to my next point. Long term vision.

If you are presented with an opportunity you have to think to yourself, will this contribute to my long-term mission? To what I want to accomplish? Does this opportunity lineup with who I am as in person? Does this bring me GENUINE joy or happiness? Even on a smaller level what good does going out and partying do? Would you be better off staying home and working on your craft versus getting wasted? Sacrifices will have to be made if you truly want to accomplish something great so you may have to pass up on the opportunity to go out. Just something to keep in mind. Back to college... See I knew that by not going to college I would have to sacrifice a period of my life getting criticized by other people, and eating dirt but in the long run I know that by not going to college I will be able to be more successful, impact more lives and better fulfill my life’s purpose. I know where I’m going.

To know where you’re going is something that a lot of people miss out on in today’s world. I know that you’ve heard the term influencer be tossed around on social media. Influencer this, influencer that. Everyone is running around trying to influence people and most just want to secure a check. One thing that I have committed myself to is that no matter the price tag, or how big I could ever get I will not take a sponsorship with a brand I do not align with. Many of today’s influencers take the first deal they get regardless of their belief in the company. That in my opinion is not the most ethical thing to do. By potentially not going for the first deal I will be presented with, I will miss out on an opportunity. The thing is however, this will be a missed opportunity with good reason. Don’t allow your character/morals to be bought out.

Now for those of you who feel like you have made mistakes in your past by not going after the opportunities you were given at the time, don’t sweat it! Just as one door is closed, another will open. Instead of looking back on those missed opportunities with regret, use the experience to your advantage. Become wiser. Become smarter. Become more aware. Life is incredibly long, and every single day that goes by new and unexpected things will perfectly come into our lives. Trust the process, I know I do, and I know everything will work out.

I hope you got some value from today’s blog, and I would greatly appreciate it if you shared it with one friend.

Thank you for reading!

• Isaac Mashman

#SuccessBeforeRest