Photo by arturodonate
While working 9-5, we are in our least opportunity sensitive state. Consider your average day. Now forget the hours you spend at work, getting ready, in traffic, eating dinner, going to the gym, watching TV, surfing the net and talking with friends & family. How many hours are left in the day? Very few, if any.
Being opportunity sensitive means being aware of opportunities around you AND taking action on these opportunities. The later part is essential, and is the number one reason why people don’t make the most of life. If you don’t try something, you will never know if it would have worked. The old saying goes: “Better to regret something you have done, than something you haven’t”.
Opportunity sensitive people are those who find jobs, make business deals, meet interesting new people and end up with a ton of interesting stories throughout their life.
Since I’ve been travelling, I have felt myself move into much more of an opportunity sensitive state of mind. I am always on the lookout for new and exciting opportunities in life. Whether this be a cool job on offer, a new business venture, a great partnership or just some awesome way to have fun. Being in this frame of mind is fantastic when you are travelling as new opportunities present themselves to you daily. It is just a matter of knowing when to take them.
There are five elements which I believe are crucial to forcing yourself into a fully opportunity sensitive state:
- Tell everyone what you are doing – Telling other around you of your plans, your adventures, your aspirations and dreams is essential. You don’t know what opportunities others can offer you so be sure to let them know where you are at. I can’t count the number of times this attitude has helped me discover a new experience, job, business venture or contact.
- Don’t be afraid to ask – Ask and you shall receive. If someone could potentially have an opportunity for you, ask them. They will be more than happy to help you out. Your not coming from a position of desperation and need here, more of a position of want and desire. Stay positive and remember that Colonel Sanders (of KFC) asked over 1,000 restaurants to buy his chicken recipe before he was successful.
- Trust yourself and your instincts – Your gut feeling about things is normally right. If someone seems genuine, then they probably are. If something isn’t quite right, then it’s usually not. Have faith in your own ability to do what needs to be done. If you are travelling for 5 months and have 1 months worth of money left, have faith that you will focus as hard as is necessary to start making money.
- Forget whatever comfort zone you thought you knew – This great adventure we call life is not meant to be played out in complete comfort. A nomad faces constant struggle and difficulty acquiring resources – whether it be an ancient nomad wondering the Sahara or a modern digital nomad travelling the world. You will be uncomfortable, you will go through low points and you will get emotional at times. Throughout all of this you must be on the lookout for opportunities as they are there to be found, where you least expect them.
- Everyone you meet is a good contact – I’ve met plenty of millionaires staying at cheap hostels. I’ve been introduced to plenty of stunning girls by their less attractive friends. I’ve had job offers from people I’ve met in the swimming pool and one guy even offered me his house for a week (it was empty at the time). The point is, don’t dismiss people based on your initial judgements or impression. Everyone can be of value to you in some way so be friendly to everyone and the rewards will always be worthwhile.
Earlier this year, a friend of mine recommended Napoleon Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich to me. This has been one of the most instrumental factors in my decision to travel, but also my quest for riches. I would thoroughly suggest you get hold of a copy and read it for yourself if you want to further understand the mental attitude it takes to be successful and make the most of opportunities.
spoken like a true traveller
Haha, thanks Tchib. I have gained a lot of personal confidence through travelling, which is why I encourage as many people as possible to get out there and do it too!
I just came across your blog while I was searching on Google for something. Your story is quite familiar to me, but I seem to have at the moment the more ‘failed’ version. I worked for two years to save money and move to Germany. I was luckily enough to have extended family that live there, and so a sort of safety net. I am from California, and so everyone here thought I was absolutely crazy to leave. I never did go to university. I had went straight to work out of high school. I worked full time for over 10 years as a cake decorator. I was great at it, and I loved the creative aspect of my job. I made decent money, had great health benefits, and the people I worked with were all great people. So, why was I crazy enough to give up this ‘great job’? Everyone thought I was being silly and insane to just sell it all and move away. I hated working in a corporate environment. I hated working every weekend, every holiday, every possible moment of my social life ripped away to cater to others. I had a desire to travel and see the world, and get outside of this little box I was stuck in my entire life. I had taken a trip to Germany with my cousin, and instantly fell in love with the new and different culture, and people. I wanted to stay longer and see more, but when I called home to ask for a one week extension on my trip I was declined. 2 weeks…2 weeks..is all I was allowed at that time. The worst part is that you can’t take them back to back. I later was allotted 3 weeks, but with the same restrictions and you can only travel from Sunday to Saturday….back at work the next Sunday. That doesn’t leave much leverage for travel time. I made it my goal to move to Germany, and for two years I saved money as I could. I ended up moving to Germany with a bit of debt, but also a bit of savings. I had taken a TEFL course so that I could teach English if possible. I started out working for Camp Adventure for a few months when I arrived as a counselor and English teacher for teens.
After the camp was over I went to stay with my family there in Germany. I was able to get to know them, and at the same time use their house as a travel hub. I was able to explore Europe and it’s countries for the past year. I took a 3 month nanny job in North Germany when my cash flow was too low.
I had fallen in love with Munich and ultimately had wanted to live there, but found it to be very expensive. The most difficult issue was the ‘red tape’ of dealing with visa issues, apartments, and jobs. It was often a catch 22 had to have one to have the other. I spent my year in Europe on a tourist visa. I would exit and enter as needed. This wasn’t the most comfortable situation. I can definitely say that border control still makes me sweat.
On Sunday, I returned to the states. I had run out of money, and options. I could stay in Germany if I wanted to work as a nanny, but this wasn’t my calling. A job as an English Teacher was near impossible without a degree. You could work freelance for businesses in Munich area, or as an aide in a Kindergarten on occasion, but the pickings are slim. I realized that I needed to return home to rebuild my cash flow/savings, and perhaps develop a special skill. I had thought about the idea of writing, but it’s often over-romanticized, and inundated by wannabe self-employed nomads. I don’t even know how I would begin to enter that market.
So now, I am back home…wishing I was anywhere but here. I miss the people, the culture, and the excitement of my travels. My dream is to find something that I can do independently as a single women. I would love the option to continue my travels, and control my own time while supporting myself.
I have been trying to decipher what I would be good at, and what I would love to do. I would really love the option to do something I enjoy that allows me the freedom to continue my adventures.
I know that you are now a seasoned nomad, and have been more successful than I have at creating an income for yourself. Is there any advice you can give me? Any ideas on what sort of business I could do to support myself in my travels. I have no problem spending hours on my laptop, so anything along those lines works well for me. I appreciate any information, and insight you can offer. Thank you. Best of luck on your continued travels, and business ventures.
@Sunshine
Check out this post for some tips: http://www.ndoherty.com/mark-webster-interview/