Opportunities to Succeed in The Midst of Crisis

During this time of global financial crisis and all the Wall Street issues we are hearing and experiencing, many companies laid out a number of their employees. This poor group were added to the long list of jobless people around the world. Sadly, some even went homeless. In the midst of the crisis we are facing, what must we do to survive, where do we find resources and opportunities to increase our cash flow to make ends meet, how can we earn more so that we can assist others who are in need.

If you are one of those who had been laid out from your job or someone who had been looking for a job for quite a long time now but never had a luck to be hired, a word of advice, go and start your small business (with the intent to make it big). This might sound weird. It might have left you asking "how is this even possible?"

If you have the mind of an "Employee" it'll be hard to answer this question. But if you are an "Entrepreneur" or at least the Entrepreneur in you is awake, you will agree with me that in every crisis and problems lies opportunities. This knowledge is one reason why rich people stay rich.

Spotting opportunities to succeed is a skill that needs a lot of courage, asking, studying, humility plus Vitamin D - discipline, to acquire. Let me share 5 of the many ways to find opportunities to succeed financially.

Note: Though the subject is about business and finance, the following ideas will also help individuals to excel in life.

Before looking for opportunities outside your room, consider searching within yourself first. Many successful people both living and the dead became who they had become not because they were born rich nor popular. They simply started by discovering themselves. These people come to know who they are, what they love to do, what they are passionate about. they focus on what they have and what they are good at.

Apple's achievements are credited to Steve Job's love and dedication in creating software which resulted to what we now call the modern technology. The Beatles' fame was realized because four young lads from England gathered together and does what they love to do, write and sing songs. They changed the music world.

Believe it or not, you are a gold mine. Ask your self these questions and you will be surprised to realize that you can do so much to succeed:

• Where am I good at?
• What do I do best?
• What is it I like and enjoy doing?
• What is my passion?

Write down your answers, review them as often as possible. Keep these answers in mind and add new discoveries. With enough positivismand confidence you will soon find opportunities within you.

Why are there taxis? Because you don't have a car, you have a need, a concern on how you can get to where you need to be. Why are there McDonald's, Burger Kings and all the other food chains everywhere? Because they know that you are too busy to cook, you have a need. These taxi operators and fast food chain owners make a lot of cash just like many other businesses both big and small, because they found needs and they filled them.

Look around you, your neighborhood or wherever you are. Are there needs in your area? Maybe the next barber shop is 8 miles away from where you are. Or there is a report of SARS in your country. These and many other samples of problems, irritations and needs need solutions and cures. These are opportunities.

• Competition - Copy an existing business and improve it or you can copy it exactly (but not the trademarks) and put it up somewhere else.
• Invention - In connection with your talents, inventing new things, products, services or a system that will make the lives of people easier because of your invention is a sure fire.
• Using other's talent - You may not be very good at everything but there are people around you or somewhere else that are expert in certain things. Look for a demand and supply these people's talent.

This world is too big, it has enough and to spare. All you need to do is open up your eyes and you'll find lots and lots of opportunities to succeed. Let me know what you think by leaving your comments below.