(Expansion) – You are in a waiting room. You inevitably look at the clock subtly, but constantly. Tick-tick. Soon you will have a crucial appointment for your future; the illusion is present and it produces a variety of thoughts in your mind.
Some signs of anxiety begin to manifest, although you know well that you must remain calm, serene and project security. Tick-tick. A new step on the road to success is within your reach.
In life there are critical moments that have the potential to represent a change of course. There are great decisions that must be made in precise contexts and on which the personal future in a broad sense depends, to a great extent. Choosing a university degree, accepting a job or undertaking a project are just examples of transcendental challenges due to their enormous relevance at the individual level.
Opportunities are sought after and when they finally appear, it is necessary to be prepared to embrace them. If these are allowed to pass by, we will have to wait for the next one; maybe too long. It is preferable to be ready and not have the opportunity in sight, than to have the opportunity come and take us by surprise without the possibility of taking advantage of it.
There is a very close relationship between the ability to take advantage of opportunities and the ability to make decisions. When one of these conjunctural events manifests itself, and we are forced to decide between different alternatives, it is extremely important to use our intelligence, freedom and will to the full in the process.
Intelligence to know how to recognize the context in which we are located, as well as our own skills and areas of opportunity (self-knowledge). In the same order of ideas, the experience and the baggage of accumulated knowledge allows us to better visualize the panorama.
If we talk about choosing a job or a new project, it will be essential to value our talents and skills, but also accept the limitations. Of course, goals and personal life plan should also be taken into account.
The exercise of freedom consists of choosing between different options, the one that most convinces us because it adjusts to the values and principles that govern us. The right criterion is of singular support in this task.
To accept a job offer, it is essential to detect in it an opportunity for professional and human growth. If this is not the case, perhaps a better circumstance should be awaited. It is free who can choose what is good for him.
As for the will, it is the ability to translate ideas into concrete actions. It is not enough to decide, since diligence is also required to materialize the projects and transform them into specific results.
It is said that education is the ability to face the challenges that arise on the way to our goals. Under this logic, human beings never stop learning, or training as professionals, in a highly dynamic world.
Of course, the best way to predict the future is to create it ourselves, through actions. Preparation is the base; however, daring to act is the indispensable corollary to transform the environment.
Let us be subjects of responsible change and not mere observers who get carried away by the current of everyday life. Let’s get out of inertia to impose innovative trends and deep reflection.
It is true that all change implies challenges that test our limits: this is part of human growth and, generally, we will emerge stronger from such situations.
Being prepared is not easy, since it involves a whole process of awareness, training and discipline. However, the journey of the thousand kilometers begins with the first step. Perhaps the opportunity you are looking for is closer than you think.
Editor’s note: José Guillermo Fournier Ramos is a professor at the Universidad Anáhuac Mayab. Vice President of Masters AC, a civil association that promotes effective communication and social leadership. He is also a communication and image consultant, analyst and doctoral student in Government. Follow him on and on . The opinions expressed in this column belong exclusively to the author.
