In the last few newsletters we have been discussing the concept of opportunity. It is one of the most misunderstood words out there. For those of you who missed the previous newsletters, the core message earlier was - "for you to grow, you have to be a BIG enough opportunity for others to grow."

 

Today, we will talk about why Opportunity must be a two-way street.

 

When you are an opportunity for someone else, you typically do something that will move the other person  from "where they are" to "where they want to be."  You bring a new possibility that didn't exist before for them. Their journey will be easier, they might go farther than where they planned to go because you are there.

 

In other words, you will have to use your "capacity" (time, energy, mindshare and/or money) to increase the "capacity" of the other person. 

 

This is where you need to realize that NOT all opportunities are EQUAL. 

 

First things first - In almost every opportunity,  one thing is common - your investment. Without making an investment of your capacity, there is no simple way to increase the capacity of the other person.

 

But there are only a FEW opportunities where this investment of your capacity will also increase your own capacity in that particular domain. Those are the opportunities where you give and get - both at the same time. Most often, the "get" happens later - way later and usually manifests in increased capacity that will provide you indirect benefits. These are what I call two-way opportunities - opportunities for both parties involved.

 

If an opportunity is not a two-way opportunity, it is usually an opportunity cost for you. Yes, you can't avoid the opportunity costs sometime but by carefully designing what projects you will get involved as a way of helping others, you can usually create win-win arrangements.

 

Think about all the projects where you are playing a helping hand. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What role are you playing in these projects?
• Are these in the area of your strengths?
• What is your contribution to the capacity of the project? [ BTW, if your contribution is not much, then none of these discussions matter]
  
•  What is your contribution to your own future capacity?
  

If you are not happy with your answers to the above questions, the opportunities you are engaging may not be two-way opportunities. Use this feedback to refine your choices for future projects.

Here are a few questions I answered on TH!NKSULTING!.  Please take a look. 

2.1 Question #1 I had a fall out with my cofounders last time. How can I avoid it next time?

DD asks:

A few years ago, a few friends and I started a company. We had worked on the product extensively but things fell apart as we could not work out the financial terms amicably. How can we avoid this in the future?

My answer is here.

2.2 Question #2 How can I STOP abandoning my current cool idea as I go after the new cool idea?

Ming from Penang asks:

How do I overcome my Second Brain child syndrome?

(I tend to neglect implementing good ideas and projects, for pursuing new ideas which always seem to be more exciting at the time, until the next new idea comes along)

I have 3 very loved but neglected brain children.

My answer is here.

 

Next week's article is titled - How do you spot an opportunity?

 

You say you have bought into this discussion about opportunity. Now how do you spot an opportunity? We will talk about it in the next newsletter.

Thanks to all of you for your support!!