Eye Opening Grand Opening

I love grand openings and was looking forward to attending another one not far from my home. But to fit this one in was going to be a magical manipulation of my limited time.

Someone had built a small boutique hospital in the area, the first of its kind for us, and they were finally having their grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony. I was determined to be there. Partly because I was very curious about this new boutique hospital concept and partly because grand openings are a great networking event for me. 
 
Our Parish is just bursting with life so naturally numerous businesses are opening in the area. Every week our chamber sends notices of all the Grand Openings. During my break from school I’ve been able to attend many of them and made a number of valuable contacts. 
 
This one would be a tight fit between two meetings. The early morning meeting, quite naturally, ran late. The winding road that led to the event curved around the back so the back lot, or over fill lot as it is often called, was the first lot I came to. I immediately noted the extraordinary number of cars in the parking lot. There were so many that some had resorted to pulling into the grassy curb and making parking out of any and all extra space in the lot. If I were to get a parking spot somewhere out in the back lot it would likely be a mile from the event.

It was a hot July day and I was in heels. This was not going to be an easy feat. Even if I could manage to make the sprint I would be one hot (literally) mess when I arrived.
 
But I am not the kind of person that looks at a situation and then just takes what fate has to offer. I’d much rather take a chance and lose than not take a chance at all. Options in life are there for a reason. The problem is that many people limit their options through their limited belief system. They are drifters on the sea of life. They are victims of fate. They settle instead of chose.
 
The first, and most obvious choice was to play it safe and park in the back of the back lot. On my tight time schedule, I could still make it to the event on time if I hustled along the mile-long trek. 
 
The other choice, and far less obvious, was to check the front lot. Now I had never even been to this location, so I had no idea the capacity, layout, or even possibility of parking in a front lot. The front lot was only a few feet from the door and right near the ribbon cutting. If I tried this option and failed, I would be late to the event. If I was successful, I would have time to network at the event, make the ribbon cutting, and make my next appointment. 
 
How are you playing the game of life today? Have you resolved yourself to take a back-lot parking spot and settle for what life gives you? You have opportunity and advantages right in front of your eyes. These opportunities are just waiting for you to take advantage of them. 

Are you allowing your mind to be open to the possibilities? If those possibilities come to you are you even willing to take action?
 
I took the chance and drove to the front. Much to my surprise there were quite a few empty spots waiting. Turns out there were many opportunities waiting inside as well. A banking representative that sees the need for leadership development in her company and a boutique hospital seeking a leadership development program and possible growth plan. 
 
I would not have made any of these vital connections had I settled for the back lot. 
 
You are given great opportunities every single day to completely change the outcome of your life. Don’t settle for average or mediocre. You have an incredible amount of potential locked inside of you. 
 
I wrote a few weeks ago about eliminating the word “try” from your vocabulary. Don’t try make changes. Instead make them! Do it. Make positive steps toward that change with every decision you make. Chose to live in the realm of more positive options, even if the immediate outcome is unsure. What if the current conditions and circumstances you claim to be holding you back was no longer a factor? What great things could you accomplish? 
 
My fall calendar is filling fast. This one single event has spring boarded into a number of other opportunities including the opportunity to transform thousands of youth in a neighboring Parish through a leadership and values-based program. The growth has been so explosive that I’ve had to bring on more team members just to manage the work load. 
 
The road well-traveled (or in my case the the back lot) is filled with average and mediocre. I choose to live on a higher, and often less traveled road, it has made all the difference in my life and I know it will in yours.
 
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 
~Robert Frost


Live Awesomely,
Angela Decoteau (Deck-uh-toe)
Success Strategist, Awesome Activator
Activate your awesome, grow your business,
and transform your life.