Opportunity Taken By Preparation

There is a story of the boy David, who had the courage to face the giant, Goliath. With everyone saying no one could defeat the giant Goliath, using his sling, David killed Goliath. Our own present day marketing promotions use this story in many ways to stir public interest in the next big thing or even the next big story. All in an attempt to get you, the consumer to watch or buy the show or item.

Over this college football bowl marathon, we were deluged by the use of this story in promoting a football game between Boise State University and the University of Oklahoma. Time upon time it was said how could this little team called Boise State hold up against the big and mighty Oklahoma Sooners? Describing it this way made it appear as though this small school was being given a chance to upset a powerful opponent. And that it would be disasterous for the mighty team to lose.

Boise State, a school with nearly 11,000 undergraduate students and a football budget of $4.5 million in expenses on revenues of $8.5 million defeated the University of Oklahoma. The larger school with an enrollment of roughly 18,000 undergraduates and a football program that spends about $13.5 million on revenues of almost $34 million. Information available through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.

Certainly the numbers would say it is a case of David versus Goliath. But maybe it is really one of a school embarking on a change years ago. One that set them on a path to success. A change that would help prepare them for this wonderful opportunity in a football game. This Boise State team did not 'all of a sudden' appear in a major college bowl.

During this particular season, they first appeared in the football ratings at #25 in week four of the season and reaching the #10 spot by week fourteen. A steady and gradual rise in the polls as they improved each week. Yet their movement towards success happened well before this football season ever started.

A sports writer I'm not, but what I am trying to illustrate is that it didn't "just happen" for this team. It took years of change and improvement and finally culminated in the ascent the team took this particular football season. It is a great story of making the changes necessary to take advantage of opportunity.

The same can be said for your own life. You can not simply wait for opportunity, you have to change and improve yourself. If you do not, you will not be prepared when the opportunity does come along. Start today, expect to have to persevere, expect setback. But do know that everything you do is preparing you for coming opportunity. Those moments will arrive, be ready for them.