Carpe Diem!

"Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." – Demosthenes

Hmm… So if I started the little 5k training for running, I’m going to win the Olympic Marathon? Okay, maybe not. But let’s examine Demosthenes’ statement…

For all who have had the opportunity to go to (and finish) school, regardless of the level attained, you’ve been offered jobs, which theoretically could lead you up to being CEO. (We all know about glass ceilings, but for all intents and purposes of feeling out this post, we naively assume that glass ceilings are non-existent and difficult work environments/situations are not factors.) So “small opportunities” = going to school, working hard, getting a job, completing projects/assignments in half the expected time, getting promotion after promotion, developing leadership skills; “great enterprises” = becoming CEO, leader of a company.

Another example, Boy meets Girl somewhere and they strike up a conversation. And next thing they know, they’ve been talking for hours, so Boy asks Girl out. Girl accepts and after some period of time, Boy and Girl become Husband and Wife. They start a family. They have grandkids. So “small opportunities” = they meet, they converse, she accepts a date (and then more dates), she accepts the marriage proposal, etc; “great enterprises” = they raise kids, who decide to follow the same path and then raise kids of their own. Next thing you know, there’s a whole clan from that one Boy and one Girl.

How about You meet Someone/Friend and find out You have what they’re looking for? You offer your help, maybe make a referral. Maybe you end up developing a strong friendship and Someone/Friend’s life is changed – maybe it was a health supplement which improved the quality of life, or an extra stream of income, or some counsel to strengthen their marriage… Maybe through a business of referrals, Someone/Friend makes extra money through meeting more Someone (Else)/Friends and offering some help they need. So “small opportunities” = You meeting Someone/Friend, You have what they need, You offer it to them, Someone/Friend meets Someone Else/Friend and offers the help that is needed, etc.; “great enterprises” = lasting friendships, changed lives, big booming business.

Demosthenes’ statement is exactly what we do in our business. We offer the opportunity to earn money, and/or save money, and/or save time. The startup costs are low (read “very low-risk”, aka small opportunity) but the potential is unlimited (aka great enterprise). Little opportunities to meet people at their needs can result in deep, lasting friendships. Little opportunities to offer some help can result in thousands of changed lives. Little opportunities add up to great opportunities, and great opportunities multiply into great enterprises. Isn’t that exciting??

What little opportunities are you missing out on? Open your eyes and minds, and carpe diem!