Many years ago, I saw a quote by Richard Branson which read: ‘If life hands you an opportunity and you are not sure what to do with it, say yes and work it out afterwards’.

I have shared this many times since and indeed lived by it myself.

So often we get opportunities placed in front of us that mean we must step outside our comfort zone but as they say that is where the success lies.

Now whether we are looking at life or business the same is true.

It can be scary it can lead us down a path of trepidation however if we can take some deep breaths, believe then have faith that all will be well, I can say from experience taking opportunities often can turn into life changing moments.

Some of my most long standing and loyal friendships have been made by me taking opportunities to move, at one time to a different country altogether.

I initially moved with my work, taking the chance that things would work out, moving to places where I had no where to live (so I stayed in B & B’s while I found somewhere), knew nobody and only had my employment to go to every day.

I had the best times working out how to make the opportunities work for me and as I say made some great friends on the way to making it to the top of a corporate career.

When I started my own business in 2010, I had to learn the secret to success lay in believing in my gut feelings, taking opportunities and yes often stepping out of my comfort zone.

In 2012 following a chance meeting with someone I met on line I was recommended a book publisher, I took a chance and contacted them and ‘Made it Thru the Rain’ was born.

Also in 2012 I took the opportunity to work with Time to Change Wales whose help and support gave me the confidence to become a public speaker; meeting the lovely late Pam Parry meant she handed me the opportunity to have my own radio show for a year in 2017, I will always be grateful to her for that one.

Life is just full of them we just need to keep our eyes open and be willing to take them.

In August I am celebrating my twelfth Awaken Business Anniversary and in doing so taking the opportunity to hold a celebration networking event in Newport.

The speaker that day will be my friend and mentor Apprentice Winner Mark Wright who one day, a few years ago I walked past at a business show in Bristol.

That day I could have carried on walking but I thought here is an opportunity to talk to someone I admired as a business owner and speaker, instead I stopped and had a conversation.

That conversation has not only led to work but laid the foundations to our friendship which in turn has led Mark coming along to speak at my event, which I am rightly proud and thrilled about.

So, in your life take every opportunity if it doesn’t work out then you have lost nothing yet gained no regrets!

If you would like to take the opportunity to come along to my event on August 2 there are a few limited seats available.

If you are in a business you won’t want to miss it. Drop me an email on [email protected] and we can sort you a ticket.

©Beverley Jones

Author of Made it Thru the Rain

www.awakenmentoring.co.uk