Richard Branson: How to Spot an Opportunity Like sunrises, opportunities come and go -- but there will always be more.
By Rose Leadem
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"Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them," Virgin Group founder Richard Branson quotes writer William Arthur Ward in a recent blog post. Like sunrises, opportunities are fleeting, and they will pass if you are unprepared.
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They do not always come at the perfect time, either, so you must be ready to seize them when the chance presents itself, Branson says. There is no point in waiting to act. If you do, they will likely disappear.
That's why you must be prepared. If you "put yourself in the right mindset to spot opportunities, there are always more to follow," the successful entrepreneur writes.
Of course, that's easier said than done, because noticing opportunities can be tricky. Again, preparation is key. "Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them," Branson quotes columnist Ann Landers.
Related: Richard Branson: To Be Successful, Take the Stairs
Ironically, hard work is the key to taking advantage of opportunities. If you put in the time, effort and commitment, you'll open many doors for yourself. It's only a matter of noticing opportunities and acting upon them.
