Lost Opportunities and the Lessons They Leave Behind
Have you ever looked back and thought, “If only I had done this differently…”?
If we’re being honest, most of us have. Regrets have a way of creeping into our memories, nudging us to reflect on the choices we made or failed to make.
But what really informs the decisions we take? How do we know which path deserves a “yes” and which deserves a firm “no”?
By definition, opportunity is a favorable set of circumstances that makes progress possible. Some describe it as a chance, a moment, or a window in time when action could change everything. And here’s the truth: opportunities aren’t just the big, shiny doors we dream about; they’re woven into everyday life. Each day hands us chances to learn, love, impact someone, make progress, or even just pause to appreciate life. The problem is, many of us don’t notice them until they’ve slipped away.
In this post, let’s explore life’s rare opportunities the kind that could alter the course of your story if you choose to seize them.
A Missed Moment: My Story
Back in 2015, I had an idea and it was really something. With the right mentorship and team, it might have grown into something substantial.
Fast forward to when I submitted the idea to a pre-incubation program. No word came for a while not sure how long, and I quietly assumed I hadn’t made the cut. Then in March 2017 I think, an email arrived asking me for more details. Perfect, right? Not quite.
It came at the worst possible moment. I had just lost my father, and my world was crumbling. I couldn’t locate my documentation. My reply was weak something about not being in a good place and unable to access the files. That was it. The opportunity was gone.
A year later, when life settled a bit, I wrote back with the requested feedback. Silence. It was too late. That chapter had closed.
I still think about it sometimes. What if I had responded differently? What if I had been prepared? That experience taught me something profound: opportunities don’t wait. Timing is everything.
So, How Do You Take Advantage of Opportunities in Life?
1. Learn to Recognize Them
Opportunities rarely announce themselves with flashing lights. Sometimes they look like exciting projects, but often they disguise themselves as hard work, challenges, or even failure. The key is vision being able to discern when something aligns with your goals or has the potential to shape your future.
Richard Branson once said: “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity but you’re not sure you can do it, say yes then learn how to do it later.”
The real question is: how sharp is your vision? Can you see opportunity even when it doesn’t look attractive?
2. Evaluate Carefully
Not every opportunity is worth chasing, and not every closed door is a tragedy. Ask: What inputs are required? What outcomes are possible? Be curious enough to dig deep, but decisive enough to act fast.
Remember, some chances come only once. Others may return in new forms, wearing “different wrappers.” Either way, timing matters. Evaluate wisely, and act quickly when the moment demands.
3. Get to Work Immediately
Opportunities don’t reward hesitation. When one lands in your lap, get moving. Prepare yourself to act so you don’t waste precious time.
In 2017, I lost a rare opportunity because I wasn’t ready to work when the moment came. That was a painful but powerful lesson. Preparation is not optional; it’s the soil where opportunities grow.
Think of the farmer: he knows when to sow, when to water, and when to reap. The harvest doesn’t come by accident it comes by alignment with times and seasons.
As Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds us: “Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
4. Seek God’s Guidance
Beyond wisdom and vision, I’ve learned the greatest safeguard is inviting God into the process. He knows the beginning from the end. He already sees which opportunities will shape your destiny and which ones are distractions.
With His guidance, you gain clarity not only to recognize opportunities but also to know when and how to act. Sometimes what looks like a golden chance might actually derail you. Other times, a seemingly ordinary moment could carry eternal weight.
Final Thoughts
Opportunities are the building blocks of destiny. Some are daily and ordinary, others rare and life-altering. The challenge is learning to recognize them, evaluate them, act on them, and trust God’s timing in all of it.
Yes, I have regrets. But each lost chance has sharpened my vision, deepened my trust in God, and taught me to live ready because when opportunity knocks, only the prepared can open the door.
I am Bebby👋
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