Back in 2022, I set a goal of attending three in-person conferences and had joined the Maxwell Team. One of those conferences was a local conference in May of that year.

As I shared in an earlier post, I put together a list of questions to ask people as part of my growth journey. I was looking for ways to learn.

After one of the workshops from the conference, I went up to the speaker and asked a question. I bought his book and thanked him.  About a week or so later, I received a phone call from him asking for feedback from the workshop. I told him how much I had enjoyed the workshop and appreciated what he had shared. He then asked if there was anything he could help me with.

I took a chance and asked if he would be open to answering some questions I had put together. I shared that I had been interviewing people as part of my growth journey. His response surprised me. After sharing the list, he commented on the questions and said he would be happy to go through them with me.

We scheduled a couple of Zoom calls. After those calls he asked to coach me. I wasn't looking for a coach. It wasn't even on my radar.

All I had done was asked a question and wanted to learn.

We originally planned eight sessions and here we are four years later. I'm not where I want to be yet but I'm making progress.

When I look back at how it happened, I realize there was more preparation involved than I initially understood. I had been preparing myself to grow. I was attending events, asking questions and learning from people. I was also becoming more aware of the things I wanted to work on in myself. I just didn't know what opportunity all of that would create.

Looking back, I realize this wasn't luck.

It was preparation meeting opportunity.

I had a drive to grow, learn, and open to what came next. That experience taught me that growth often requires investing in yourself...your time, your money, your energy, and your willingness to be uncomfortable.

You don't always know where that investment will lead. You may not know what conversation will matter, which person you will meet or which question will open a door.

But you can prepare.

My challenge to you:

Start preparing today for opportunities you haven't seen yet.

-Keep a list of questions.

-Read books.

-Attend events.

-Learn from people who have gone before you or from people you admire and/or are inspired by.

-Be curious.

-Ask thoughtful questions.

-Invest time in your own growth before you know where it will lead.

You may not know when those habits will matter. You may not even recognize the opportunity when it first appears but when the right opportunity comes, you'll be more ready for it. 

What are you preparing for today that you haven't even seen yet?