Knock Knock. Who’s there?

My nephew came to visit a while back when he was about two years old. Many times he would knock on the door and I would ask, ‘who is there?’ he would reply, ‘it’s me’.

Again I would ask, ‘who is me?’ And he would say, ‘it’s David’. I then get up to open the door to his delight. The truth is that I knew it was him before he even knocked. I recognised the sound of his tiny feet and his knock. He was the only child in the house and the only person who knocked if any door was closed.

I enjoyed playing these ‘knock knock’ games with him throughout his visit. I am reminded of that game as I ponder what is knocking as we start a new year.

• What opportunities are knocking on our doors?
• Who is knocking on our doors?
• What will be on the other side of the doors when we open them?
• Will you hear and recognise the knocks when they come?

These questions are worth considering. With David, it was easy for me to open the door as I knew exactly who was there. There was no risk of opening the door to the wrong person.

This is not quite the same for opportunities as they often come disguised as problems and cloaked in ways that we don’t expect.

It would be nice and easy if we all got a recognisable knock and wake up with a life and game changing idea but most of us won’t. It would be reassuring if we knew exactly what or who will be on the other side of the knocks that will come this year but we don’t know.

What we know is that, we will see and hear of problems and opportunities. There are only two responses – open the door or leave it closed.

So here are some thoughts …..

 

Look and listen for problems

This means you seek out a problem to solve. It is said that Columbus was looking for a shorter route to India when he discovered America. This denotes some intentionality. Some of the best opportunities are found as we intentionally look for problems to solve.

Some problems or opportunities will announce themselves so all you need to do is identify them when they do.

Be present

Unless we are fully present and in tune with that inner voice that is designed to nudge us out of our comfort zones and take notice of the change we can bring, those moments will be like any others. They will disappear. So be present, willing and open to the doors that are before you.

Take risks

Opening ourselves to new things – jobs, business opportunities, relationships or new places requires risk taking. You don’t know how any of the risks will work out if you take them but you already know the outcome if you don’t. No risks, no changes. So take a calculated risk.

Learn from your mistakes

Many inventions have come from people learning from and taking advantage of their mistakes. The low tack reusable pressure sensitive adhesive used in ‘post it notes’ was accidentally created while they were looking to develop a super-strong adhesive.

Trust yourself

Finally, embrace the genius that you are. You are wonderful and unique with abilities that far exceeds your imagination. Tap into the truth of who you truly are and recognise the world is your oyster. You are a solution, a game and life changer. Go make a difference.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week and remember to embrace life to its fullest.

See you next week.