Never Die Wondering

Opportunities are never lost, someone else will take the ones you miss

Don’t turn down opportunities you may later regret, just because they are out of your comfort zone.

Some great examples from the world of sport underline the importance of this mantra in all aspects of our lives.

Ash Barty – Austria’s newest tennis legend

Anyone with any access to any form of media would know the inspirational story of Ash Barty, the newest darling of Australian Tennis with such a great win in the French Open.  Most people are probably also aware that she took a break and played cricket for a few years. A move she has credited to saving her tennis career.

Knowing she was looking for a break, but had never swung a cricket bat before, cricket coach, Andy Richards called her in 2015.  He had heard she wanted something different, so he invited her to hit a few balls. Barty put on the pads for the first time, her remarkable hand-eye co-ordination shone through.

She excelled in the trial and went on to be a fantastic cricket player.  For a year she played with the Brisbane Heat’s Women’s Big Bash League.  She could likely have progressed to play for Australia, but the break this opportunity gave her allowed her to re-focus on tennis …. The rest is history!

Jonnie – England’s golden boy

Jonnie was normal little 5-year-old boy, he loved sport, in particular football.  Sadly, at the age of 5½, he lost one of his legs as a result of contracting meningitis.

He was quite a determined little boy.  Always wanted to be able to do all the things his friends could do. He still loved football and so he enquired about playing.

In 2008, Jonnie went to a talent day for trials for disabled sports, hoping to do football.  Selectors instead picked him to be trained in athletics, even though he had never done any real athletic events.  This wasn’t what he really wanted, he loved football. But nonetheless he took the opportunity on offer.

A few years later he ran his first international race … Actually, he won it! In front of his home crowd at the 2012 Paralympics, Jonnie Peacock won his first of many gold medals.

He was quite a determined little boy.  Always wanted to be able to do all the things his friends could do. He still loved football & enquired about playing.

In 2008, Jonnie went to a talent day for trials for disabled sports, hoping to do football.  Selectors instead picked him to be trained in athletics, even though he had never done any real athletic events.  This wasn’t what he really wanted, but he took the opportunity on offer.

A few years later he ran his first international race … Actually, he won it! In front of his home crowd at the 2012 Paralympics, Jonnie Peacock won his first of many gold medals for England.

Risk versus Reward

Any investment of time, effort, money or other resources almost always carries a “Risk vs Reward” pay-off.  Typically, the higher risk, the greater reward.

Similar consideration needs to be given to career and business decisions, or indeed in our personal lives.  It is impossible to ignore risk vs reward in terms of goal alignment, skills alignment, also likelihood of success.

Managing Your Risk vs Reward Equation

A 3-way analysis of opportunities that arise will make it quicker and easier to capitalise on as many opportunities as possible.

1. Consider the overall situation & environment: What are my personal and/or business circumstances? Is this the right time for such a decision? Am I considering several alternative opportunities?  Is this part of a portfolio approach?
2. Rewards on Offer: Does it align to my goals & strategy? Will the “rewards” be truly rewarding? Am I passionate about what this opportunity presents?
3. Capability: Does it align to my skills and experience? If not, can I bridge the gap?
4. Risk: What is the potential upside and downside? What are my chances of success? Do I have the right capability, skills & experience, if not, can I bridge that gap?

This is a great exercise to do when evaluating career progression and development opportunities.

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