There was a movie that came out in 1999 called “Sliding Doors.” It starred Gwyneth Paltrow and portrayed a woman’s life based on two different decisions, making it to the train on time and missing the train. The movie showed the two different realities based on those events happening. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to see what would happen if we did or did not make a certain decision, then pick the better of the two?
Unfortunately, as it relates to the business decisions we make each and every day, we do not have the ability to see the “what ifs” based on each decision. However, we do know that by doing something like:
- opting out of attending a meeting
- declining a networking event
- not making an effort to meet others at a function
- deciding to not volunteer
can lead to plenty of missed opportunities to grow your business.
I heard a great story the other day that is a case in point. An attorney, who is a BNI member, was planning on taking a day off and missing that morning’s chapter meeting. At the last minute he changed his mind and attended. He found himself sitting next to a Sub who was filling in for another member. They struck up a conversation, and by the end of the meeting the attorney handed the Sub his business card realizing there was a need he might be able to help with. Fast forward to today and that last minute decision to attend his BNI meeting and not skip turned into a new client that has been the most successful in his entire career.
You just never know the opportunities that await unless you decide to put yourself out there.
Keep it disciplined.