A number of years ago, one of my relatives who is a successful sales person decided to take a job with a different company in the same industry. When I called to congratulate him, he told me he was studying the catalog of his new employer, which didn’t surprise me. What did surprise me, however, was what he told me next. He confessed that he was afraid that his new boss would fire him when he found out that he didn’t know the new company’s products inside out.

At first I thought he was kidding, but quickly realized he was serious. Thus it was a revelation to him when I suggested that the reason he was hired was not because of his knowledge of the equipment he would be selling; rather, it was because he has a talent for being able to sell anything to anyone. I explained that it’s easy for employers to teach people about their products. What they cannot teach are talents, which are innate. In short, he had no idea of his true value.

How many times do we see people – ourselves included – who are unaware of the value they provide to others? Because our talents come naturally to us, we tend to overlook them because they come easily. I believe this is one reason why we fail to recognize their value to others. After all, didn’t we grow up hearing phrases like, “No pain, no gain?” Surely things that come easily can’t be worth much to anyone, right?

We couldn’t be more wrong! I challenge you to take a close look at your talents. Better yet, ask some of your close friends to tell you what talents they see in you, and how valuable they are to others. And then start owning that value, if you don’t already do so. I invite you to let us know what you discover!

© 2010 Pat Lynch. All rights reserved.

Opportunity surrounds us; we need only recognize it for what it is. Even during times of economic and other types of hardship, it presents itself. Yet many people are so focused on looking for opportunity that they fail to see it, even when it’s right in front of them. What I have learned is to stop merely looking for opportunity and start recognizing it – because it is everywhere. We just may need to see if through different eyes.

To me, there is more than a semantic difference between looking and seeing. To “look” seems to be passive, accepting, and non-analytical. That is, we observe things in front of us, collecting the images that present themselves in our range of vision. In contrast, to “see” seems to be active, questioning, and analytical. We perceive meaning in the objects or actions that we have “collected” through the act of looking, we recognize or identify patterns, we interpret and make sense of what is there by creating a context for it. Thus looking is a necessary but not sufficient precursor to recognizing opportunity. We have to take the next step if we are to find it.

If we seek opportunity, we will find it. Look around you with the intention of recognizing the help that is offered. Sometimes there are obstacles that prevent us from seeing it. Ego and stubbornness are two that I am well acquainted with; in retrospect, I realize that both have prevented me from seeing or taking advantage of opportunities that were mine for the asking. As a result, some life experiences have been harder than necessary. The lesson for me: though the opportunity may not be exactly what I had in mind, I would be well served to accept it for the lesson I can learn. We each retain the right to choose whether to recognize and receive opportunity, or to reject it. Why not learn the lessons that are offered, even if they don’t seem to be what we want or need at the moment?

How often do we refuse the help or the gifts that are offered? Perhaps they take the form of a person who is willing and able to help us, yet we fail to receive the opportunity he or she represents. What are we losing out on when we make these choices? Imagine how different our lives would be if we started recognizing the opportunity that is offered! How can we learn to see rather than merely to look?

Begin by becoming aware of the differences between looking and seeing. Actively seek the meaning in people, things, and actions around you. Put your ego aside and be open to receiving from others. I have found that even simple things will help me practice recognizing opportunities both large and small. For example, receive a stranger’s smile, a child’s curious stare, a door opened for you (literally or figuratively). Accept the opportunity with thanks, and you will find yourself experiencing the world in a different way.

© 2010 Pat Lynch. All rights reserved.