Opportunity is waiting

During a four-hour layover in Manaus on my way to Rio to work at the Summer Olympic Games, I met an American guy. Let's call him Adam.

Adam was also travelling to Rio; however, he was making the trek to take a two-week jiu jitsu course. (Jiu jitsu is a Japanese martial art and its Brazilian form is a pretty big deal I've come to discover.)

In going on this trip, Adam left his home country for the first time, he got his very first passport, and it was his first time travelling alone.

Why now? Why take this trip during what would likely be the busiest time to travel to and be in Brazil?

Well, because Brazil relaxed immigration rules to make it easier for people to visit and attend the Games. Adam saw the ability to travel to Brazil without having to obtain a special visa as an opportunity to finally go deeper in his learning of jiu jitsu right in Brazil. 

By noticing the opportunity and taking advantage of it, Adam has stepped into a new world of experiences that will surely last with him forever.

What opportunities are just waiting to be seized around you? Team members who have additional skills that can make a current project better or faster? Community art classes that can help you better at painting or give you a healthy way to relax? Weekly running clubs to help you get fit, focused, or blow off some steam? Add a few vacation days before or after your next business trip to discover a new city?

And, if you see an opportunity that might serve someone else, point them in that direction.

Opportunities are everywhere for all of us and just waiting to be seized. All we have to do is stay open and step towards them.