Just this passed weekend, I was watching Beetle Juice for probably like the 50th time since its release in 1988. Yet, this last time I watched it with new eyes, more mature eyes perhaps, and it really got me thinking – not about death, but about opportunity.
There’s a part in the movie when in order to get the help they needed, the recently deceased couple had to take a piece of chalk and draw a door. It seemed stupid to them, how could something like this work? The deceased woman really doubted – to the point where she really didn’t even want to bother, but her husband had just enough hope to try it anyway.
He drew the door, knocked three times, and it opened…
Most people are like the woman, they think they’ve got things so figured out that they can’t even bother with even attempting the impossible. How many opportunities are missed because of this attitude?
Are you so convinced by impossibilities that you aren’t even willing to challenge things? Would you have taken a chance and drew the door or would you have just continued to wallow in misery instead of taking action? What’s the worse that could happen?
The door might not open, you might say. But so what! You’d still be no worse off than before.
But what if it does work? Oh the possibilities!
Believe it or not, many opportunities are just waiting for you – if only you’d take action and stop waiting for things to start “looking possible.”
What if Edison waited for it to “look possible” to create a light bulb? He failed many times before finally getting it right – what if he simply settled for “it’s not gonna work”? Where would we all be? Still burning down our homes with over-tuned candles and kerosene lamps?
You are already have all the keys you need, so pick up that chalk, draw your own door of opportunity, then pick up your keys and open it!
Your Gifts and Talents -
these are the keys of special abilities that only you can do. If you don’t make use of your talents, no one else can. That also means if you don’t do it, you’re cheating the world of the wonderful contributions that only you can make.
Your Knowledge -
this is the key of what you know – you have a wealth of knowledge that you’ve been collecting since you were born. Put it to use, you’d be surprised to discover that there are people who lack areas that you have.
Your Skills -
these are the keys of what you know how to do as a result of your experience. Combine these with your gifts/talents and knowledge and you’ve got a dangerous weapon against the impossible.
Your Personality -
the key of uniqueness. Rely on this to help you stand out from the crowd.
Your Heart -
the key of passion and interest. Let these guide your actions and you’ll never feel like you’re working.
Your Foot -
this is the master key. Sometimes you have to just kick the door in and stop waiting for others to open it for you!
So there you have it! Don’t just wish in one hand and poo in the other to see what you’ll get first – make a plan and start working at creating your own opportunity. It’s not as impossible as you think.
Can you remember a time when you had a chance to pick up the chalk and draw a door, but instead allowed doubt to cheat you of your opportunity? Are you regretting it yet? What are you going to do about it?
Kiesha is the author of We Blog Better and Christian Blog: Highly Favored. She’s a technical Writer, former writing instructor, and blogging consultant for small business owners. If you’d like to know more, read her extended bio. Connect with her on Twitter, Google and subscribe to her newsletter for blogging tips & tricks.
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Hi Brandon,
What a very clever and informative post. I loved it mate.
You are so right there must be so many people like the old woman who don’t see the opportunities or for often give up when their very next post or email or blog comment could be just the very thing that gets them started!
By the way what size shoes do you wear? Just want to make sure my doors are strong enough for when you get adventurous and visit a remote Thai village!!!
Best wishes mate and thanks again for a great post
Peter Beckenham´s last [type] ..My First Product Creation…This is My Plan-
Hey Peter, Thanks for the words, but they actually go to Kiesha.
Her post.
But…I will have to visit a remote Thai village someday.
Brandon
Hey thanks, Peter!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I wear a size 8 – I don’t think you’ve got much to worry about there…
Hi Kiesha.
The missing key for me so often has definitely been my foot. It’s not so much that I expected others to create opportunities, but that I built walls around dreams. I felt certain I couldn’t explore an opportunity because of an existing job, family responsibilities, physical location, etc.
Had I used my foot to kick down those ‘walls’ I’d created in my mind, I’d have seen that there were hours to work outside of my job, family willing to help with household tasks, and a need for services right where I was at the time.
Jean Sarauer´s last [type] ..Newbie Interview Tips From My Virgin Interview
Hi Jean,
Sometimes we just have to get bold and take things into our own hands… I mean foot!
Kiesha, this is one of the best articles that I have read in a long time. Very inspiring and full of heart. I love it! Great observation with the movie, I love the master key.
There are things that I have put off doing, like article submission to Ezine, that I have labeled as the impossible door. Only because I’m stubborn and don’t want to give other websites my free content… I think you have pushed me over the edge and I’m going to break down that door and give it a try it. You’re right… What have I got to lose?
Thanks for the kick, I needed that!
Hi Richard,
Glad you found this inspiring! I used to submit to ezines, but I’ve actually discovered that guest posting works a lot better. Have you done any guest posts lately?
You’re always welcome at WeBlogBetter! SiteSketch101 is a good spot too! They are blogging about blogging sites, but there’s always a way to relate any and everything you do to blogging… What tips might you have to offer?
lol Well pop my bubble.
I have never guest posted. A lot of it is because I don’t run a blog. I run an HTML affiliate marketing site in a totally different niche. This limits what I can do and who will even notice me. I have big ideas, but after 3 years of this, it’s very hard to start over. :/
Richard,
I don’t think you need to start over, I think you just need to out side the box and get creative with it. You never know who might be interested in what you’ve got to offer. I have a Christian blog, yet I still guest posted in the blogging tips niche – it exposed my blog to people who were curious enough to see what might blog had to offer. I also promoted it by leaving comments on various other niche sites including health food and everything else.
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..God’s Power in your Weakness
Hi Kiesha,
Loved this post and it’s very motivational message. We all have the power to draw open our own doors of opportunity (or to kick through those stubborn ones). Taking personal responsibility for your own actions (and inactions) is very important, as is believing that oportunities are out there. They may not be so obvious and you may just have to draw your own sometimes, but they are out there.
Thanks for sharing this,
Karen
Karen´s last [type] ..Happy Canada Day-
Hi Karen,
That’s exactly what I’m talking about! In fact the less “obvious” they are the more impact they can potentially make.
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..Social Media can Kill your Blog
Kiesha,
This one hits a little close to home with me. I am much like the lady who thinks she has it all figured out. I find myself often discounting the possibilities before ever attempting them. As you said though, what do we have to lose? I think I just need to ask “yeah, but what if it did work?” much more often.
Brad
Brad Harmon´s last [type] ..God Bless You- But You’re Fired
Hi Brad,
I can’t pretend that I don’t act and think like her sometimes as well, but at some point I’ve just got to have faith that it’s possible – I know anything is possible, I’ve just got to act on that.
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..How Real Servants Act
I love the analogy here and you’re absolutely right Kiesha. Just like in my blog post today I talk about planning, which everyone gets or at least is what people talk about. But I also mention doing after you plan which is where most people must not understand what that means.
A plan is no good without action so why waste your time planning if you don’t “plan” to do anything about it?
Good thought for the day, thanks!
Eric´s last [type] ..Get To Know Me Better: Ask Me Any 2 Questions You Want
Hi Eric,
You’re absolutely right, a plan with no action is absolutely useless.
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..God’s Power in your Weakness
Hey Kiesha,
Great post. Full of awesome information to live your ultimate dream by.
I have to say I too have seen Beetle Juice many times but my favorite part of the movie that always makes me chuckle is the part where the family is sitting at the dining room table and then the music of Harry Belefonte’s Banana Boat Song starts and they dance around the table singing “Day-O!!!!!! lol More of us should try coming out of our comfort zone and do something totally unexpected like the Deetz family singing the Day-O song at a formal dinner. Going against the norm can sometimes get us places we never expected to go.
Thanks again for sharing.
All the best
JB
JB Brathwaite´s last [type] ..TED Talk With Cameron Herold- Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs
Hi JB,
LOL!!!LOL!!! That’s one of my favorite parts, too. It makes absolutely no sense! Who knew something intellectual could come out of that silly old movie!
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..Save Time with 2 of the Best Twitter Applications
Hey Keisha,
Wow! What a refreshing post, love the inspiration too, I mean seriously how good is that movie!
I love the list that you have broken down, especially ‘foot’ LOL! Definitely a must when you are trying to open that door.
Really really enjoyed reading this post – awesome.
Alex´s last [type] ..How to Build a Huge List of Active Twitter Followers
Hi Alex!
(Okay, now that’s just corny…sorry!)
Thanks! Yeah, I thought you might get a “kick” out of the “foot”/key!
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..Blog Promotion is easier when it’s a Group Effort
Hey Kiesha!
I really enjoyed this! Well-written and motivational. It’s important to remember that almost everything possible was impossible at some point.
Jillian´s last [type] ..Monetizing and You