Small Serendipity

Here is a joke that I love to tell:

A pious man prays every day to win the lottery. With the wealth he could do so much good in the world. 

After years and decades, the man, now old and stooped, finally says “Everyday I pray to you so that I may win the lottery! My entire life I never asked for anything else. I am at the end of the my days, and now I want an answer; why have I never won?”

And with that, a loud voice booms down from the heavens and says, “Meet me halfway, and buy a ticket!”
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Opportunity comes to those who facilitate; those who take small risks.

I work a day job, and every workday I spend my lunch break at a local Starbucks.

One day I just happened to sit down across from two lovely ladies who are in the same business that I am. We start talking, exchange contact information, and now we have the opportunity to help each other expand our respective customer bases.

I was in the right place at the right time, but it was a place I go to everyday. I pay for a cookie or a coffee, I sit down, and I work.

I sat down across from the right people, but I look for people who are working on their computers, because they will understand why I am sitting near them. Outlet camaraderie does exist.

We started talking because I talk to everyone. If I hear a conversation on a subject that I am familiar with then I am not shy of making myself known. This is usually the hardest obstacle for people… you do not want to be rude, maybe these older women are more professional and you will wind up sounding bad, and any number of other excuses not to talk to people. 

The women were talking about their social media business, and I started talking about what we do at Say It Simply. As it turns out, they were writing a book for my age demographic, and my insight was very valuable to them.

By making all these seemingly unconnected behaviors a normal part of my routine, I can facilitate opportunities. By taking a small risk, I can reap a small reward; a new connection, a business introduction, or just a change to further increase my knowledge of my field.

Are you looking for opportunities? Or are you waiting for them to come to you?

If you want to win the lottery, you have to buy a ticket.
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Simply said.