Open Windows

In the blink of an eye, or the click of a mouse, something new can present itself. We must be open to these new opportunities, for they can start out small, not exactly what we expect. 

Yesterday, it felt like everything I pursued, worked out. I'd write an email asking for information, and I'd get a quick response with great customer service; and in the end, we now have a great company doing our race clock and timing services for the River Run 5K. In addition, I sent a small inquiry to Women's Running Magazine. Now, they've offered to send us sample copies and postcards for our race bags. Little things, done efficiently and months in advance. Small effort saves a big rush later on. 


A Happy Birthday message to my friend Charlotte turned into, "Let's do a Disney Half-Marathon." 
Then, later progressed to, "Let's do it through Team in Training for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society." Now we're seeing if we can fund raise as a team.


A LivingSocial deal turned into a finding the perfect new bikini for the perfect girls weekend in Jamaica. Complete with massages, my first real snorkeling experience, and dancing, hopefully. 


The Secret? Being Open

Everyone has heard that when God closes a door, he opens a window. In my case, a window has lead to many more rooms and many new doors being opened. From my experience so far this year, here are my keys to keeping your doors and windows open for new opportunities:


1) Active Engagement
Being present in your life is a big part of enjoying it. You can wake up and go to work. You can be in a relationship or go out on the weekend. But, this doesn't necessarily mean you are present. When times get busy, we tend to go through the motions of life, focused on getting to the next day or the next non-busy time. Actively engage in your time, in what you're doing. You might find that you go from "survival mode" to "problem-solving mode" to "bring-it-on mode". Imagine the new ideas or new perspective you might have when your motivation is not simply to get from Point A to Point B. 


2) Say Yes
I like a challenge, so I don't often say no to things. But, this is not the meaning of this key. When you say yes, say yes to yourself. Yes, you are capable of accomplishing whatever you want. Yes, you deserve to be happy in every area of your life. Don't doubt it for second. If you're trying to convince yourself that you can be happy without, start over. If you're unsatisfied with something, fix it. I don't like the term "work on yourself", but it does present new goals and a new perspective on what you want your life to be. 


3) 100%
When you commit to something, dedicate yourself to it. If you're part of a board, if you're volunteering, if you're trying to lose weight, do it to the best of your abilities. Half-ass looks bad, and you won't get the satisfaction of a finished product. Don't be a slacker. I also think when you chase down your goals, everything else in your life seems to follow suit. 


4) A Little Whimsy
What's life without a little whimsy? Something fun that lightens our heavy days. Take a day off, or plan something fun this weekend. Rest days give us time to decompress and recharge from our workouts. You should incorporate one into your week. Or if you can't take  a whole day, carve out an hour or two to play. Open windows aren't always about job opportunities or leadership positions. 


5) Get Inspired
The Internet is not just for blogs and porn. It's a whole community of people talking. While we all get caught up in talking about ourselves, some people, articles, Pinterest boards, or Facebook statuses/tweets can be inspirational. Check out what other people are doing to break out of the box. You can do that, too! Do a little research and find something that moves you.


Open windows, open doors, open yourself up to opportunities. Remember, it's not always about getting ahead in life or in your job. From my perspective, open windows and doors are about growing and changing; being open to possibilities and new experiences.