When opportunity knocks, don’t go to wash your face

 

Many times, it is in the split second decisions that the fortunes are made or lost.

Storyline:

When I was young, not afraid to be curious and naïve about social status and etiquette, I asked a question to my grandfather. “Why is it that all these supposedly very smart (learned) people are not as rich as these other folks whom we call Banias (street merchants)?” His answer lay in an ancient Indian story.

There were two roommates. One of them was called Learned and the other one was called Merchant. Learned was supposed to be very educated because he had read almost every good book in the world, carried credentials from many well known schools, and knew many things about processes and procedures.

In contrast, Merchant was considered from the lower class because he had not read many books, did not even know the names of most of the institutions that Learned had gone to, and was ignorant about processes and procedures.

Early one morning, Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, came to the door of these roommates with the intention of blessing one with a great fortune. Learned was an early riser and opened the door. Seeing Goddess Laxmi eagerly waiting to bless someone, Learned told her, "Please wait, let me wash my face and brush my teeth before I take your blessings on my forehead.” Learned was only following instructions as it pertained to the local code of conduct. Learned rushed into the bathroom to wash his face.

While this was going on, Merchant woke up and went to the door. Seeing Goddess Laxmi, eager to bless somebody, Merchant wasted no time in putting his head forward and asked for her blessings. He decided that he would have the rest of his life to wash his face and brush his teeth, but knew that he might never see Laxmi again.

When Learned returned from the bathroom, Laxmi was gone. Merchant was the one blessed with fortune and good luck.  "And that’s why Bania’s (Merchants) are richer than the Learned people," said my grandpa as he finished the story.

Reflection:

The difference between a successful person and an unsuccessful person, between a successful business and an unsuccessful business, is not in the lack of ideas or opportunities, but in the lack of timely action.

Recognize when an opportunity is knocking at your door and quickly act upon it.

Comments

[Delia]

How true? Such is the case in this fast moving world. If you do not react to the opportunity that is presented to you, be assured some one else out there will.

[Safin]

Andrew Grove,a legendary CEO, once said (rightfully) " "The new business environment dictates two rules: 1) Everything happens faster; and, 2) Anything that can be done will be done. If it's not done by you it will be by someone else."

So one cannot wait when an oportunity is presented, other wise they will have all the time in the world to wash his face...

[seo]

this is situational. History of big empires and dynasties shows that opportunities were there for them and their people to keep on growing and expanding. But no matter how they were present, they ignore it.
In big and succeeful companies, same thing happen. Good idea presented on gold plate and peopel argue about the composition of the plate or some one question how much the plate cost and why not use a glass plate?
u get it? the story not work every place.

[Ho-Sheng Hsiao]

I love this tale. More so because of the three previous comments -- the first two assumes that it is truer today in a "fast moving" times, even though this tale has a timeless quality to it. Heck, this story might even originated in ancient times. If any has changed in these recent times, it is that people have forgotten the significance of old myths and stories.

As for the third commentator -- he is obviously one of the Learned ;-)

Namaste

[Anonymous]

And the next day the local deity of rubbing **** in people's faces came past. Merchant remembered his success the previous day so acted quickly, stuck his face out the door, and had it covered in ****. Stupid Learned, however, still insisted on taking 30 seconds to find his contact lenses and had a good look at the opportunity and then slammed the door in the face of the Amway salesperson.

It's good to act quickly when opportunity knocks, but it's also important to remember that "act now - this won't last" is practically the mating call of the fraudulent used car salesman.

Of course, the original story assumed a little period between "who's knocking at the door?" and "oh, hey, a genuine opportunity". Too many people are so eager to "act quickly" that "acting intelligently" doesn't get a look-in.