“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”

A few days ago, I shared this quote with one of my clients. At the time, I attributed the quote to Oprah because, well…why not? Oprah is always chock full of wisdom.
 
Just to double-check, though, I found out this quote is credited to Seneca the Younger, a Roman philosopher born in 4 B.C.E. Okay, not Oprah. Let’s call it Ancient Wisdom brought back into New Thought.
 
What this quote uncovers is that many times, people say someone is “lucky” if they have a great job, enjoy a wonderful relationship, go on amazing vacations, or get into a good school. Seneca implies, not so fast there.

What often go unrecognized are the behind-the-scenes preparation and the overcoming of resistance that continues to show up.
 
Look at Queen Bey, aka Beyonce, and the years of dedicated practice she put in since childhood, day in and day out, year after year. Did she get to where she is from good luck? Or did she take the Seneca route and prepare herself for those opportune moments that got her to where she is today?
 
So how do you prepare?

The first step in preparation is getting clear on where you want to go. The second step is being willing to change up how you usually live your life.
 
Same results = same thinking. Different results = different thinking.

If you're looking for a change in your life, you need to be willing to take a different path than you’re used to.

When I lead my Vision Board workshops, participants don't only paste pictures and images of a life they love. They also step back and ask themselves this powerful question.
 
Who are you called to be in order for this vision to manifest?
 
When you have a powerful vision inside you that wants to emerge, it means that you are being called to embrace a bigger you that allows you to reveal this vision.
 
Years ago I had many participants posting pictures of Oprah Winfrey on their Vision Boards because they imagined themselves as being interviewed by Oprah on her daytime show.
 
I asked them, “If Oprah invited you to be on her show today, would you be ready?”
 
Sheepishly, most said, “No.”

Even though you might not be ready in this very moment, you can take mental and actionable steps to prepare you.
 
As you consider something greater in the horizon of your dreams, I offer you this coaching assignment for this week:
 

• What is one thing you would like to experience over the coming months that would bring you joy and a feeling of purposeful accomplishment? Take a moment to contemplate this.
• Feel into this experience. Make it real for you. Bring your emotions and sense as if this were already happening.
• Now ask, who are you called to be in order for this vision to become a reality?
• Let’s ground this with immediate action. What is one simple thing you can do in the next week to take you one step closer to this vision?

 
Here’s the last thing, and it’s about the "opportunity" that Seneca mentions. There’s a saying that opportunity knocks only once. I don’t believe that.

I believe that opportunity is knocking on your door all the time. All it takes is for you to be prepared and to answer the door.
 
Are you ready?
 
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this blog post. Please leave a comment and share below.

Abundant Blessings and Namaste.

***Special Note: If you’d like to get more clear on what your emerging vision is and you'd like to have something you can look at everyday, click here to find out more and register for my upcoming Vision Board workshops:
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Joselito Laudencia helps people bridge the spiritual and practical path to career and financial freedom. He is the creator of "Re-Write Your Money Story" "Finding Your Right Work," and “Vision Your Best Life.” He is a spiritual life coach and Centers for Spiritual Living Practitioner. If you're feeling unfulfilled and stuck in the areas of career, money or life in general, you don't have to figure it out by yourself. You can schedule a 30-minute Free Clarity Session with Prayer and get clear on what's stopping you from living the life that you love. Click here to schedule your 30-minute Free Clarity Session with Prayer.

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