Prepared for Possibility
Brian L. Keith
Data, AI & Cloud Leader | Recognized AI Strategy Leader in GovCon | ExecutiveGov distinguished key Cloud executive | I help government leaders to digitally transform the way they operate and deliver services.
????Welcome to your bi-weekly jolt of well-brewed #inspiration. In serving #35 of 'BK Morning Brew’ let’s discuss being prepared for possibility. Thank you for subscribing, liking, sharing and commenting! #LetsBrewThis!??
The world tells us to plan. Set goals. Follow a straight line.
But life rarely works that way.
We’re taught that the perfect career comes from a perfect plan.
But Peter Drucker knew better.
He saw that success doesn’t live in the rigid frameworks we build. It comes from something much simpler and often overlooked—being ready when the moment comes.
Think about it.
How many times have you planned something only for it to go sideways? How often has life thrown something unexpected in your lap, leaving you to scramble, adapt, and figure it out?
That’s the thing—successful careers aren’t some blueprint you follow from day one.
They evolve.
They take shape in ways you don’t see coming.
The trick is to be prepared for those moments, not by controlling them, but by knowing yourself well enough to ride the wave when it comes.
Drucker was right. You don’t plan success. You prepare for it.
So, how do you prepare?
By knowing your strengths. Not the kind of strengths that look good on a résumé or sound impressive at a dinner party.
The real ones.
The ones that make you feel in sync with yourself when you’re working. They aren’t always flashy, but they are yours. And when you know them, really know them, you become someone who sees opportunities where others see roadblocks. You know when something’s right for you, and you jump.
But it’s not just about strengths.
It’s about how you work.
Everyone’s got their own method. Some people thrive in chaos, bouncing from task to task, while others need structure, a clear plan, and a quiet space to think.
There’s no right way.
There’s just your way.
And once you understand it, you stop fighting against it. You stop trying to be someone else. That’s where the magic happens. You become better at what you do because you’re doing it in a way that makes sense for you.
Then there are your values.
The things that matter when no one’s looking.
The lines you won’t cross, even when success is dangled in front of you. When you know your values, decisions get easier. You know what feels right and what doesn’t. And that clarity helps you recognize the right opportunities when they show up.
Opportunities don’t announce themselves.
They don’t wait for you to be perfectly prepared.
They come when they come.
And they look different for everyone.
For some, it’s a new job or a project that scares you. For others, it’s a chance conversation with someone who sees something in you that you never saw in yourself.
It’s those moments—those unexpected, unplanned moments—that shape your career in ways you could never predict.
Drucker’s words remind us that the path to success isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding road filled with twists you can’t see coming. And the best way to navigate it is to be prepared for anything by knowing yourself first.
When you do, you stop chasing the perfect plan and start embracing the imperfect journey.
Because in the end, the most successful careers aren’t built on plans—they’re built on moments. Moments that change everything. Moments you can only seize if you’re ready.
Be ready.
Know your strengths.
Trust your process.
Honor your values.
The opportunities will come. And when they do, you’ll know what to do.??
???BK Biweekly Quote:? “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“So much of life isn't about intelligence or luck but putting yourself in a position for success. Master your circumstances before they master you.”— Farnam Street
??BK Tiny Tip:? Focus less on crafting the perfect career plan and more on knowing yourself—your strengths, values, and work style. When opportunities arise, you’ll be ready to recognize and seize the ones that truly fit. Success isn’t in the planning; it’s in being prepared for the right moment.
??BK Mind-blowing Fact:? Studies show that up to 85% of jobs are filled through networking and unadvertised opportunities—proving that success often comes not from following a rigid plan but from being open, adaptable, and ready to seize unexpected opportunities when they arise.
??BK Journaling Prompt:? Reflect on a time when an unexpected opportunity changed the direction of your career or life. What strengths, values, or personal insights helped you recognize and seize that moment? How can you better prepare yourself for future opportunities that may not align with a set plan but could lead to something even greater?
Your support means the world to me!? Keep the inspiration flowing, and let’s continue to connect, learn, and grow together. Thank you for subscribing, liking, sharing, and commenting! ?? - #ThinkBigger, BK
P.S.? My goal is to get to 1,000 subscribers this year!? If you are reading…please subscribe & share!????
Director MIcrosoft Unified Solutions
1 周Thanks as always for the great insight! When the opportunities come be prepared, no waiting!