People do not achieve success by relying on the occasional rabbit that happens to bump into a tree stump. In reality, what we often refer to as turning points of luck are merely opportunities formed from achievements gained through previous efforts. A well-known motto from Harvard University concisely explains the relationship between diligence, opportunity, and success: "Be prepared so that when the opportunity comes, you succeed."
To a large extent, people are products of opportunity. When evaluating an individual's skills and achievements, we cannot entirely overlook the importance of opportunity. Sometimes, a few moments can be more critical than years, and there is no balance between the urgency and value of time. An unexpected five minutes might determine a person's fate.
General MacArthur once said: "The bugle call that gathers troops for battle represents an opportunity for soldiers." However, this loud bugle call will not make soldiers brave nor help them win wars; opportunities must still be grasped by themselves. The secret to seizing the opportunity that determines one's life and leading to success lies in one's talent and personal skills.
Occasional opportunities only have meaning for those who work hard.
A widely circulated anecdote about Ole Bull better illustrates this principle. This excellent violinist persisted in practicing tirelessly for many years. Through continuous practice, his skills had matured to the level he reached when he became famous, yet he remained unknown to the public.
However, his luck was bound to come.
Once, while this young Norwegian musician was playing, the famous singer Maria Brown happened to pass by the window. Ole Bull's performance captivated her; she had never imagined that the violin could produce such excellent and moving music. She quickly inquired about the name of this unknown musician. Not long after, during a highly influential performance, due to a sudden disagreement with the theater manager, she had to cancel her program temporarily. When deciding who should step in, she thought of Ole Bull. Facing a large audience, Ole Bull played for over an hour, and it was this hour that propelled Ole Bull to the peak of the world music hall. For Ole Bull, that hour was the opportunity, but he had already been prepared for it.
People always prefer employees who work meticulously and without error. No one wants to constantly guard their employees like they would a careless person or a fool. It’s similar to if a carpenter had to personally supervise his apprentice's work to ensure no mistakes were made, or if a bank custodian had to personally check his bookkeeper's accounts to ensure accuracy—then it would be better to do it oneself! Therefore, companies will immediately fire these incompetent employees, let alone give them opportunities. When someone secures a good position, it is not just because they utilized some favorable conditions, but because they have spent years preparing for that job.
Every day, one should work wholeheartedly and strive to complete every small task efficiently. Strive to surpass yourself and willingly take on extra tasks—not to see your boss's smile, but for your own continuous improvement. Even if within the same company or the same position, if the opportunity has not yet arrived, in the process of preparing for its arrival (like buying a diploma), your skills have already expanded and strengthened. In fact, you have already created another opportunity for some future time.
Remember the Harvard motto: "Be prepared so that when the opportunity comes, you succeed." The secret to success lies in being ready to seize the opportunity when it arrives. For those who are lazy, even the best opportunities are worthless; for those who are unprepared, even the greatest opportunities will only highlight their incompetence and ignorance, making them appear absurd and ridiculous.
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