5 Practical Strategies To Win Opportunities With Proactivity

You came across a dream job opening that perfectly aligned with your skills and aspirations. Excitement bubbles up, only to realise you lack a crucial certification that would have made you the ideal candidate. The disappointment got intense because you had the chance to get this certification for free, but you ignored it.

We’ve all experienced moments like these, where a lack of preparation led to an opportunity slipping through our fingers. You save your life from some of these situations when you stay proactive.

What is proactivity?

Dr. Stephen R. Covey, a renowned leadership expert, defines proactivity as the ability to take initiative, control your responses, and create positive outcomes. You don’t wait for problems to happen before you act. You build yourself up to attract the opportunity you want. How do you leverage proactivity to attract opportunities?

• Craft Clear and Ambitious Goals

Proactivity begins with a clear vision of where you want to go. Take the time to craft specific, measurable, and achievable goals for yourself. Your goals act as a roadmap, guiding your actions and attracting opportunities aligned with your ambitions.

Instead of a vague goal like “Get a better job,” be specific, such as “Secure a leadership role in my industry within the next 18 months.”

I set a clear goal in 2022 (during the final year of my undergraduate studies) to get a full-time job at most a year after my one-year mandatory employment program by the government.

• Continuous Learning and Skill Development

Opportunities often favour those who are well-prepared. Make continuous learning a cornerstone of your proactive approach. Stay updated on industry trends, acquire new skills, and expand your knowledge base. The more you invest in self-improvement, the more attractive you become to potential opportunities. Research from the World Economic Forum indicates that by 2025, over one-third of skills considered important today will change, emphasising the importance of adaptability through learning.

In 2022, I took online courses seriously. My skillset advanced, and I got different exposures because I was able to engage in conversations that were not related to my programme of study.

• Network Strategically and Build Relationships

Success is not just about what you know but also who you know. Actively build and nurture professional relationships within your industry. Attend networking events, engage on social media platforms, and participate in industry forums. Proactively reaching out to others can open doors to collaborations, mentorships, and unexpected opportunities.

Connect with professionals on LinkedIn, attend industry conferences, and join local business groups to expand your network.

On campus, I joined the Peer Counsellors Club, which had a majority of students and a few professionals. My goal was to learn and network. Fortunately, I met a professional through The Peer Counsellors’ radio programme who connected me to his employer for an opportunity. I took my social media, especially LinkedIn, seriously, which improved my online visibility.

• Initiate and Take Calculated Risks

Risks are crucial to your success. Calculate your risks before you take them. Assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of new ventures, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. Proactively seeking out challenges can lead to innovative solutions and unforeseen opportunities.

I knew the counselors’ club would take much of my time, and that was not favourable for my studies. After a careful analysis, I realised the benefits outweighed the drawbacks, and I could adjust my study time. I got a job opportunity through the club.

• Showcase Your Proactive Attitude

Actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate your proactive attitude in your day-to-day activities. Whether at work or in your personal life, take the initiative, show enthusiasm, and be solution-oriented. If you have the opportunity to volunteer, just do it.

Showcasing your proactive mindset naturally attracts opportunities that align with your go-getter approach.

Attracting opportunities through proactivity is not a passive endeavour. It takes a conscious effort. Opportunities are drawn to those who actively seek them, so go ahead and take charge. Your proactive journey begins now.