It’s not just being in the right place at the right time, it’s capitalizing on it.
- In 1925 New York Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp sat out a game with a headache and his substitute was Lou Gehrig, who went on to set a then-record by playing in 2,130 consecutive games.
- In 1951 New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thompson hit “The shot heard ’round the world,” a pennant clinching home run. Three years later he was traded to the Milwaukee Braves, broke his ankle in spring training and was replaced by a young right fielder named Hank Aaron, who went on to hit more home runs than any other non-steroid-using player in baseball history.
- In 2001 Tom Brady became the New England Patriots starting quarterback when Drew Bledsoe was injured. So far he has won three Super Bowls and two MVP awards.
It’s called making the most of the opportunity. We all have to do it whether it’s taking advantage of our education, grasping on to a mentor, realizing we’ve met the person we want to marry or anything else that can change our lives.
I’ll venture to guess that we all have numerous opportunities in our businesses and our lives. When we’re successful it’s because we’ve not only recognized them but taken advantage of them, to the fullest extent. It pays to be ready because we never know when opportunity will present itself.
“Be prepared.” The Boy Scouts Motto
