Creating opportunities
Growing up, I would always hear the phrase about creating opportunities. That if there was something that you wanted to do, and it somehow didn’t exist, you need to create that opportunity for yourself to seize it. I guess that’s how entrepreneurs are made, or at the very least, you put yourself on the path to what you would actually like to do. But the issue is, I never really understood what it meant to create opportunities for yourself. I see young people entering the workforce, all on their own terms. Some are out there taking risks and chasing what they want to do. It could be something as simple as a tool available online, and they are utilising it to create online businesses (yes plural) or even doing a day job or finishing off uni, and gaining the skills, knowledge and experience in something they want to pursue long term. I think it is so good to see this happen. For a while I played the victim and sat there for the opportunities to fall into my lap. But that’s not how things work.
The live music events industry is built on trust, and you build trust by being consistent and showing up. If you’ve committed to something, it is your responsibility to ensure you see it through. So, how did I create these opportunities? Well, I quite literally started from zero. I knew no one working in concerts up until 2022. Which is shocking, given I’ve been chasing this goal since 2010. I think life puts you through paths that help you grow. I’m an introverted extrovert. Yes, I work events as my day job, and you have to schmooze when you’re onsite at a conference, and ensure your delegates and speakers are having a good time. Needless to say, growing up I was quite the shy kid, and going up to people and talking to them never came naturally.
Once I fought through emotions and nerves, signing up to a membership organisation to do a mentorship programme was by far one of the most nerve-racking things I’ve done. But this is how I opened the door in expanding on my knowledge of working concerts. Sure, there are a lot of similarities in working any event, but each type of event also has its own nooks. This was also an opportunity for me to test what I already knew. It wasn’t something I was trying to see going into it, but I had many aha moments when I was asked questions or when I was saying what I was saying, and I truly amazed myself.
This is how I built momentum in creating opportunities. I put it out there, that this is what I want to do, and the first concert came shortly after. My mentor had said to me, the first one is always the hardest, and then they quickly come trickling in. I can say that this is so completely true. Yes, I had to wait a little while between the first and second concert, but that was completely on me. I expected a rapid domino effect, after taking one small action. However, when I got over myself, this changed quickly.
Now, I create opportunities by constantly putting myself out there. No matter how awkward it feels for me. I then grow by being consistent, showing up, and seeing through whatever I’ve committed to.
I have a long way to go, but I know that I’m closer than I was yesterday.
Until next time,
Mili
