By Ron “Bilbo” Kling, Guest Contributor
This confession will not come as a surprise to anyone who knows me, but I am a geek. During my college years, more Friday nights than I care to recount were spent playing strategy-based board games and arguing Star Trek vs. Star Wars. Being an unabashed lover of all things nerdy, the impending theatrical release of the Hobbit has been preoccupying the majority of my waking thoughts. In anticipation for the release (tickets for which I have already purchased), I have been re-reading the book. For those unfamiliar with the story, it is centered on the hobbit Bilbo Baggins and the “unexpected journey” on which he reluctantly agrees to go (Hobbits being, by nature, opposed to anything out of the ordinary and doing anything unexpected).
Working in career services, I am frequently amazed by the amount of rigidity people apply towards their search for employment. By focusing on only one specific position, they are removing the possibility of locating additional opportunities that might be available. In his work on career development theories, John Krumboltz discusses the idea of “Planned Happenstance.” By planning for future opportunities, even should we not know specifically what they are, we allow ourselves the ability to pursue them should they arise. As the adage goes, “Luck is the residue of design.” Cultivate the following traits in order to maximize your ability to capitalize on unforeseen opportunities:
- Be curious and open! Allow yourself to explore opportunities you normally never would have considered.
- Be flexible! Oftentimes your dream job requires several stops along the way!
- Think big picture! Identify the common aspects of the positions that interest you, and do not overlook opportunities that meet these requirements simply based upon title.
- Be optimistic!
Bilbo’s willingness to join the Dwarves on their adventure completely changed the course of his life, and opened the door to unimagined prosperity. While cultivating these traits might not result in you becoming fantastically wealthy of gold reclaimed from a dragon, they will help you make the most of opportunities when you are presented with them!
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