"I missed my opportunity."

"That was a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

"I'm just waiting for the right opportunity to come along."

These common phrases reveal a fundamental misunderstanding about how opportunities actually work.

The Abundance Reality of Opportunities

Opportunities aren't like rare ships passing in the night. They're more like waves at the beach - constantly arriving if you're positioned properly.

Does a surfer complain that there was only one wave that day? Of course not. They know another is coming shortly. And if there aren't many waves at one beach, they can go to another spot where conditions are better.

The same is true in business and life. Opportunities aren't limited - they're abundant. And more importantly, you can create them.

Creating Your Own Opportunities

One of my clients, an executive in healthcare, was frustrated by what she perceived as a lack of advancement opportunities. "I've been waiting for a director position to open up for three years," she told me.

When we examined her approach, we realized she was waiting for an opportunity rather than creating one. Together, we identified an unaddressed need in her organization that aligned with her values.

Instead of waiting for a position to open, she created a proposal for a new role. Six months later, she was leading a new interdepartmental initiative with director-level responsibility.

She didn't wait for the wave - she created one.

Knowing Which Opportunities to Pursue

Perhaps even more important than finding opportunities is knowing which ones to pursue.

This is where Values connect with Opportunities in the V.O.I.C.E. framework. Not every opportunity is worth your time and energy. The key is identifying which opportunities align with your unique values.

A tech entrepreneur I worked with was constantly distracted by new business ideas, starting one venture then pivoting to another exciting opportunity months later. The result? Multiple half-completed projects and no significant success.

When we identified his core values - creativity, independence, and impact - we realized he was chasing opportunities that promised financial rewards but didn't align with these values.

Once he focused exclusively on opportunities that honored all three values, his focus sharpened dramatically. He's now leading a successful educational technology company that satisfies all his core values.

The Practical Approach to Opportunities

To transform your relationship with opportunities:

1. Adopt an abundance mindset: Recognize that opportunities are plentiful.
2. Position yourself strategically: Surround yourself with environments where opportunities naturally arise.
3. Create opportunities: Don't wait - identify needs and propose solutions.
4. Filter through your values: Use your values as criteria for which opportunities to pursue.

The O in V.O.I.C.E. is about transforming your relationship with opportunities from passive waiting to active creation and discernment.

What opportunity will you create today?