Thread
10 Ways to create endless opportunities.

A thread...
1. Spend time with people different from you

People who look at the same thing but from a different perspective, widen your own horizon and understanding of the world.

Resist the echo chambers you are in.
Do not spend time only with those who are like you.
How?
a) Pick up something that hasn't been working for you - could be anything - interviews, exams, dating etc.
b) Identify someone whose advice you would NEVER consider, because you think they do not understand you or your world.
c) Ask them how would they approach it?
2. Send cold emails

Writing to those who do not know you, is a life skill. Most working professionals still use email as the dominant form of communication.

You do not know which one of them will be replied to, but writing consistently ensures opportunities coming in steady.
How?
a) Make a list of 50+ people you want to write to, for a specific objective
b) Research about them, draft a personalized email
c) Send one every day (except weekends) - over 2 months.


3. Read all your emails/DMs

People are always reaching out to us, irrespective of how "popular" we are.
Do not ignore such outreaches.

Half of my team has been hired through such emails/DMs. I have built unreal connections online through emails/DMs that were sent to me.
How?
a) Filter all emails with the word "unsubscribe" to a separate folder
b) Pause your inbox and schedule your emails for 4-6 times a day (no more)
c) Read them all in one go, in a state of flow
d) Respond to only the best
4. Engage with people's content meaningfully

If you follow someone's content, don't just consume.
Engage.
And while engaging, be meaningful.
Add a new perspective.
Or share your own version.
Or your own example.
How?
a) Have a unique DP (something that is uniquely you) - for example I recently met @whysaloni who I thought had a unique DP
b) Engage actively, consistently
c) Do it NOT the intent of receiving a reply. Instead purely because you have something to add.
5. Acknowledge people

If you like someone's work (book, post, video, podcast) drop them a note thanking them for it.

And while at it, send a thoughtful note.
Not just a simple thanks.
Be detailed and deliberate about how they helped you.
It will be retained.
How?
6 years back wrote to @IndraNooyi thanking her for one of my most loved initiatives at @nearbuy


6. Create or join online communities

With a remote-friendly world, the best opportunities are in communities where people hang out, across experiences and geographies.

@discord @Reddit @telegram @SlackHQ and so many more - make them your opportunity platforms
7. Share your work. Consistently.

Nothing attracts opportunities than consistent work from your end.
You could be creating, curating, producing - doesn't matter.

I feel @SahilBloom is such a great example of this.
Consistently shipping out value, purely driven by curiosity.
8. Realize most decisions are reversible

Do not hesitate to take decisions.
Especially when faced with rare or typical choices to make.

Even if they do not work out, you can always come back to where you started from.
"When you're offered a seat on a rocket ship you don't ask, 'What seat?'
You just get on,"
- Eric Schmidt to Sheryl Sandberg

You will only know they were great for you, AFTER you pursued them.
9. Be kind, generous and helpful

The surest way to ensure opportunities keep knocking on your door, is to be willing to truly help people.
Expecting nothing in return.
10. Hear the signs

The world is full of opportunities now. If you are continue to be focused on the path you are on, you might miss what is on your side.
An alternate path.
A new change.
A deviation.

Give yourself the freedom to consider that path.
"Great opportunities never have 'great opportunity' in the subject line."
- Scott Belsky
I have often wondered, how do people get opportunities?
Are they lucky?
Is it because they work hard?
Is it because they are at the right place at the right time?
Is it because they know somebody?
What is it?
And the more I have thought about it and also looked at my own life, the more I have come to realize that opportunities are indeed random.
You can't plan for them.
You can't predict them.
And there is only one way to get out of this, my friend.
Create an opportunity engine.

Build a system where opportunities come to you, by design, not by chance.
We continue to cling on to what we have.
And are scared to let go.

Because we do not know how to get it again!
Imagine how liberating it would be if you had a way of generating opportunities endlessly.

The fact that a new opportunity might come anytime soon, is what will rid you of your fear or paralysis to change your current.
Opportunities don't happen.
You create them!
If you liked this thread, please follow me on @warikoo
I write a thread every Friday on life, failure, entrepreneurship and career.

You can read all of my threads here

Here is the start of this thread, for you to consider liking and retweeting :)


Mentions
See All
Sahil Bloom @SahilBloom ยท Nov 19, 2021
  • Post
  • From Twitter
Great thread