This quote is from Seneca, a philosopher from ancient Rome (4BC - AD 65) who emphasized personal responsibility and self-improvement. Before working as a coach, I worked in fundraising. I helped NGOs develop their fundraising strategies and approach potential donors. One thing I firmly believed in, is to thoroughly research your potential donor, prepare your fundraising pitch and the story of the cause you want to fundraise for, in your own words. So, when you come across a high-net-worth individual or a potential donor, whether it's at a planned meeting or an unplanned gathering, such as a reception or in the elevator 😉, you are ready to share your story. Now, I share this quote with my clients. When you are looking for a job, or you want to make a career change, you have to prepare and do your homework by exploring these questions; ✅ You have to know yourself and be able to present and pitch Who you are and Who you have become:
What is your personal story?
What are your skills?
What is your main expertise, and what are your strengths?
How can you add value to the particular work area you are interested in, or project you would like to invest in?
Who do you want to be? What kind of job do you want to do, in which areas do you want to grow your skills, and how do you see yourself in a couple of years?
✅ What is your passion ? What makes you vibe and happy? ✅ What are the values that underpin your actions? ✅ Do you know your potential employer market, so you can recognize and seize opportunities? ✅ Have you prepared your CV and do you have it handy in several versions and, if necessary, in several languages? Do you have your LinkedIn profile up to date? ✅ Are you developing new skills to be ready for any kind of new opportunity you could be interested in? Are you sure that your acquired skills are up-to-date and fine-tuned to meet actual employer demands and challenges? ✅ Do you take time to network and talk about your passion and aspirations to as many people as possible? Do you grow your circle of supporters? You should not be afraid of doing this. What do you have to lose? Nothing! Any feedback and comments you receive, positive or negative, will feed into your personal growth. ✅ Are you open-minded and ready to step out of your comfort zone to consider opportunities that might not seem like a perfect fit at first glance. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from unexpected places. Luck just does not happen like this, you have an influence on your destiny by preparing yourself, making the right choices and creating opportunities.
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity, is a powerful reminder that success is not a matter of chance but rather the result of our own efforts, dedication and choices we make.
So what are you waiting for? Start preparing now!