"Knock knock!"
"Who's there?"
"This is me!"
"Why are you knocking so loud?"
"Because I have my degree from the School of Hard Knocks."
"Where's that school?"
"Knoxville."
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| Door knocker in Florence, Italy |
Opportunity knocking at my door has gone unanswered on many occasions. Hard to say what different outcomes there might have been in my life if I had welcomed those missed opportunities. Many of us have likely done the same. Perhaps it was fear or uncertainty that prompted us to pretend we weren't available. It might have been laziness or just a lack of self-confidence. Whatever the reason, once an opportunity was lost, it was rarely offered again.
Now I'm hoping for a new knock at my life's door. I'm waiting. What will I do when it comes? Will I find some excuse not to answer? Do I have time to make excuses or any good reason to do so?
Conversely, maybe I will need to knock on some doors. Maybe a lot of doors. Doors that might go answered. There might be a fearful voice inside begging me to go away or a disgruntled face appearing before me telling me they are not interested in what I have to offer.
"Come on! I'm not selling Fuller brushes, overpriced vacuum cleaners, or Amway products. You might like what I've got. Please give me a chance!" I say (though not in those exact words).
"Go away! I don't need or want what you've got!"
Still I must persist. Time is ticking away. I need to get this done. Maybe the next door will be the one.
Knock knock!
Have you ever done door-to-door or cold call sales? Do you tend to get discouraged easily when you don't find quick success at something you're doing? Where might be places you might go to seek investors for a business proposition for which you needed money to get off the ground?
Yes, I've had those missed opportunities. I think writing is like knocking on a million doors for me. Maybe one day I'll get an answer!
ReplyDeleteLisa, making it to publication is a long hard road for many if it even happens.
DeleteLee
I spent years chasing after those opportunities and found what I was looking for right in front of me. Sometimes you need to stop seeking and open yourself to the ethereal. You'd be surprised what presents itself.
ReplyDeleteKJ, hidden in plain sight is often the case. We don't really have to go far to find what we want or what we need.
DeleteLee
Sometimes when opportunity knocks, we don't realize it, since the knock is so subtle and quiet. Each second of life comes this way but once, and then never again. There are also times when missing a great opportunity in turn opens up the path for a different or better opportunity which leads us to where we are now.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, so true--or we are too afraid to answer, which has been my case on more than one occasion.
DeleteLee
Keep knocking. And listening for knocks. sooner or later, there will be the right one. Then jump on it.
ReplyDeleteLD, jumping on them is sometimes the most difficult part--that's why so many opportunities can get missed.
DeleteLee
I've done door to door canvassing for Stars air ambulance before and I liked it. I know what you mean about opportunities knocking. Nice post. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteJackie's Bookbytes Letter K
Jackie, door to door knocking is not for everyone, but sometimes it can lead to interesting encounters that are as rewarding as the paycheck.
DeleteLee
Thomas Edison said, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." I can relate to that. Not because I'm afraid of work, but because I over schedule myself and opportunities look like MORE work, additional stress.
ReplyDeleteTrudy, we should never look down on any opportunity that presents itself to us. Discernment is sometimes a lot harder than outright rejecting an idea.
DeleteLee
I once signed up for the two-day training to sell "the pig" (you know, the amazing cannister vacuum?). Left at lunch of day two. I'd have trouble selling hot dogs to the starving.
ReplyDeleteCW, the hot dogs would be far easier to sell than a big ticket item like a fancy vacuum cleaner. People will typically cling tightly to their money when faced with a really big decision, but hunger will make succumb quickly.
DeleteLee
Surely, I would starve. My mother used to tell the story of my UN-salesmanship whilst peddling Girl Scout cookies door to door: "I don't suppose you'd like to buy any of these?"
ReplyDeleteMyra, I know exactly what you're talking about. I've tended to take the negative uncertain approach in many of my sales attempts. Girl Scout cookies should be one of the easiest things in the world to sell.
DeleteLee
I thought I would love sales...tried it. Hated it. LOL!
ReplyDeleteDB McNicol, author
Microfiction: Kimono
Donna, I like the concept of sales but not the process.
DeleteLee
When opportunity knocks we need to answer or it goes and finds someone who will answer. Leo liked the knock knock joke
ReplyDeleteJo-Anne, and there is always eventually someone who will answer.
DeleteLee
The thought of selling door-to-door or through cold calls gives me cold chills. I didn't even like taking my kids around to Trick or Treat at Halloween. I'm afraid I'd be a miserable failure at trying to find financing for a new business.
ReplyDeletePatricia, I've never had any success at cold call sales. I'm okay being a sales rep who has people calling me or going to visit them because they want me to. Convincing someone they want something is difficult for me unless it's something I really can strongly endorse.
DeleteLee
When I was pregnant with my first child (and showing) and I had quit my job to stay home - I couldn't imagine not bringing in some money - so I did door-to-door Avon sales. I was terrible at it. It is funny now. A pregnant Avon lady! Oh well.
ReplyDeleteKnitter, I can recall the days when door-to-door sales were not only common, but expected. Now if a salesperson knocks on my door my first thought is "how did they get into our gated community?" Seems like a pregnant Avon lady might evoke at least a few sympathy buyers.
DeleteLee
There's been a few opportunities that passed me by that I wonder how different my life would be if I had gone for them.
ReplyDeletePatricia, I guess what is is meant to be, but it can be fun to play what if.
DeleteLee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteHard Knox School in Knoxville is a place I learned much, too. I did cold calls in my first job as a computer consultant. I wasn't much of sells person but I learned a lot on that job. I guess sending out manuscript inquiries is like cold calling, too. I've done that many times and am no stranger to rejection. We've had opportunity to knock on our door right of the blue when DH lost his job when our kids were really small. That was a huge blessing, too! You gotta listen for that door because it's hard to hear sometimes.
A2Z Little Mermaid art sketch 'King Triton'
Cathy, exactly! Trying to get something published can be very frustrating after continued rejections. Gotta keep on knocking and paying close attention to who comes knocking on our doors.
DeleteLee
Oops, I meant Hard Knocks...Gee, I'm crazy! There is a Hard Knox pizzaria in Western Plaza on Kingston Pike. It's really good, too! Try it next time you're in town.
ReplyDeleteCathy, I usually don't go to Knoxville to eat when I'm back in TN, but I sure do like pizza.
DeleteLee
Ahh...knock, knock...was my mom selling Bosch products and meeting my dad when he opened the door. He kindly said he wasn’t interested but would she like a cup of coffee? That was the start of a wonderful relationship. I was a kid selling Christmas cards for my school and that was enough for me. There is a story about this but too long to write here.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, I'll look forward to a telling of that story on your blog. I often thought about doing door to door sales when I was a kid. They would advertise all the neat prizes you could win from selling. I neither had the nerve nor the ambition.
DeleteLee
Thanks Arlee, for this knock, knock, wake up call. Personally I have missed some opportunities, but I think My gut always tells me when to jump, to seize the day. Sometimes, it looks foolhardy to others, but down the road , the right choices were made mostly. What appeared as failures at one time prove to be stepping stones towards a greater goal. As Edith Piaf sang : Rien, non, je ne regrette rien.
ReplyDeleteSusan B, I try to avoid regret. It's a waste of time since you can't go back and change anything. Lessons for the future if we are wise enough to take heed to learn them.
DeleteLee