Window of Opportunity

We had bacon and eggs on toast this weekend. Delicious. As the grill tray was cooling and we’d finished eating, we went to clean and tidy up. The kitchen windows were open to let the smell out and fresh air in. Then a wasp flew in.

I talked to it and encouraged it to move towards the window, but it preferred to ignore me. Oh well, it would find its way out eventually. Or so I thought.

Then I noticed it flew onto the grill tray and, just as I reached it, it slipped through the grill slats and straight into the warm bacon fat. Needless to say, I did try to save it, grabbing a piece of kitchen towel to soak up some of the fat, but sadly it didn’t make it. What a way to go. Poor wasp.

The wasp had found itself in unknown territory. It saw a potential opportunity and ventured through the open window. It took a chance. Sadly for the wasp, it didn’t work out. But this stayed with me.

How often have you found yourself somewhere unfamiliar? Sometimes it’s accidental, you take a wrong turn and stumble upon a path you think you recognise and before you know it, you are not where you intended to be. Other times it is deliberate, you choose to step into a situation where the outcome may be uncertain, but the experience will be worth it.

Let’s take a look at these different situations.

Your somewhere new or somewhere you know, you’ve taken a turn and before you know it you have ended up in uncharted territory. How do you react?

Are you someone who panics? Do you run and try to find your way back? Or do you whip out your phone find an Uber, and get yourself out of there?

Panic. If you freak out when you get lost or face a situation where you don’t know the outcome, you are not alone, It’s perfectly natural. The first thing is to stop, take a few slow deep breaths and regroup. No matter what the situation, you will manage the next step. You will get through it. Look at the situation and assess what is in front of you. Do what you can to move forward. Talk to people and ask for help and ideas. It is a temporary situation.

Retrace your steps. Sometimes turning around and heading back the way you came is the simplest option to take. If you can see familiar landmarks in one direction, head to them and you will soon get back on track and making your way to your destination.

Using technology. You are a practical person who looks for the logical answer. Using technology and the tools in front of you, you will navigate your way back to the right path. Google Maps or an alternative will be your saviour and will get out of the situation.

There are times when we step into these situations willingly. We aren’t sure of the journey but we are sure it will have a positive outcome.

New job. Despite the nervous excitement you feel, you are entering a new company with new people and new expectations. It is unfamiliar but you are doing it as you are passionate about the role you are going to do. This is the perfect unknown situation. You know it’ll come right and you will grow as a result.

Travelling or moving somewhere new. Travel is fun but full of uncertainty and can be a little scary. But the experiences it provides can be memories we treasure for a lifetime. New cultures, new languages, new streets and ground to explore can be a challenge to navigate, however as they say ‘fortune favours the brave’. Moving to a new town or city is courageous, exciting and full of wonderful opportunities. Starting again offers so much.

Learning something new. Whether it is a hobby or skill for work, learning can push us into unfamiliar territory. You don’t know how it will go, but you are curious enough to try. Enjoy.

Fear of the unknown is natural regardless if the situation is accidental or intentional. But exploration, curiosity and experience fill us with excitement and joy. They propel us forward and remind us that stepping into the unfamiliar is how we grow, learn and find out who we are.

The wasp sadly didn’t survive its adventure, but we can. We get to step into the unknown and come out the other side stronger, wiser and enriched. Unlike the wasp, we can survive the window of opportunity we choose.

Thank you for reading and have a great week.

Look after you.

Love Emma xx