by Ernest Oranu

”The truth about opportunities is that preparations tend to create them as James Brown Jr rightly observed, ‘luck dances with those who are ready on the dance floor’.”

It is common place to hear people use the phrase “opportunity comes but once”, but I can tell you this old adage is only a partial truth. It does not tell you that opportunity keeps visiting those who make good use of it. John Wicker says ‘’opportunities multiply as they are seized; they die when neglected’’.

Most people spend a lot of time in the dream process, and then tend to neglect the need to take the necessary steps towards achieving their dreams, without which these dreams are just mere wishes. It is a well known fact that wishes never put any man on a saddle. Some do not even lay down a plan, how do you make good use of, or seize an opportunity you are not prepared for?

I do not disapprove of dreaming, in fact I urge you to dream big. No, don’t just dream big but dream the impossible. The Wright brothers did and today they are credited with inventing planes, but don’t just dream, set to work like the Wright brothers did. Set to work achieving your dreams, commit your resources too(nothing goes for nothing), dedicate time, be consistent, associate with people that have similar dreams and learn anything within reach about your dream. Just be prepared. I like how Abraham Lincoln puts it, he said “I will prepare and someday my chance will come”.

The truth about opportunities is that preparations tend to create them as James Brown Jr rightly observed, “luck dances with those who are ready on the dance floor”. A major mistake that most people make is, neglecting the need to start small while focusing on what they would do if a certain situation presented itself. Starting small is a form of preparation in itself, it gives you the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge on how to accomplish your goal. It is no wonder that scriptures admonished us not to despise the days of little beginning. John Buorrough says you should not despise your own place and hour, start with what you have. Do not wait for what you would do, if such and such an advantage were available to you. Rightly used, every advantage leads to a greater one. I absolutely agree with Ken Keys Jr when he said, “To be upset over what you do not have is to waste what you have”.

You may be looking at your dream as too lofty relative to the situations around you. Let me tell you this, nothing is impossible for the man that says “I can” and does something to prove he can. Also remember, small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

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Ernest Oranu is a fresh graduate of a leading Nigerian University. He tweets from @oernie

30 Days 30 Voices series is an opportunity for young Nigerians from across the world to share their stories and experiences – creating a meeting point where our common humanity is explored.

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija