“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison
This past Friday my nine-year-old daughter, Miss O, was asked to fill in for the lead role of Michal in a musical production. The girl who was playing the role came down with a fever and there were just 24 hours before the show. The director texted me, “Is Miss O home and can I talk to her?” Yes and yes.
It’s so much easier for me to see patterns in other’s lives than my own. What unfolded in this opportunity showed me three things about the lifecycle of luck.
1. Intent
Tryouts for this production were four months ago. Along with about a dozen others, Miss O read for the part of King Saul’s daughter, Michal, in this musical about David and Goliath. The cast is made up of 4th-7th graders with an emphasis on 7th graders getting lead roles since it’s their last year to participate. Miss O knew that as a 4th grader she was unlikely to get the role but tried for it anyway.
2. Persistence
When the roles were handed out, she didn’t get picked for Michal and instead was assigned about 4-5 lines in addition to being part of the ensemble. She was really disappointed.
But after a day or two, she bounced back and felt okay about it. Then she was all in. She was at every practice for the last four months except one when we were out of town. She learned her lines, practiced the choreography, and completed all the assignments. She was excited for and dedicated to the roles she had.
3. Willingness
When the call came on Friday, I watched Miss O’s face as the director asked if she’d play the lead role of Michal. She answered without hesitation that she would do it. Then immediately grabbed the song book and started memorizing the lines.
Watching this unfold, I marveled at her willingness to say “yes” even though it meant a lot of work. She had the aptitude and the attitude to take this on. Memorizing is pretty easy for her and she likes to perform.
It was great luck that the director thought to ask her. But stepping back, I think she worked hard at her small role and I think that’s why she was offered the big role.
Recently, I was talking with corporation communication specialist, Brian Hannon on the How To Share podcast about how to share professional communications (episode drops on Wednesday, 5/21). We agreed that opportunities don’t pop up when we are sitting on the sidelines but instead show up when we’re in the game. As Madeleine L’Engle said, “Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.”
But we have to aim high. Then not quit when we don’t get what we want but instead work hard at the parts we’re offered. Finally, we have to say “yes” when the big break comes, even though it’s “dressed in overalls and looks like work” as Thomas Edison said.
Miss O did a fantastic job in the role of Michal on Saturday night. She started to get nervous a couple hours before show time but understood that it was just because she cared. Then she settled back into the work she’d done and rocked it…which seems like appropriate acclaim for a musical about David and Goliath.
Here’s to picking up the phone when opportunity calls!
(featured photo is mine- Miss O playing Michal)
You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon
I host the How to Share podcast, a podcast about how to share anything – to the appropriate audience, with the right permissions, at the most opportune time.
I also co-host the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, an author, creator and storytelling podcast with the amazing Vicki Atkinson.
My other projects include work as a CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), speaking about collaboration and AI through the Chicago Writer’s Association, and my book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.
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