"Effort is unrewarded" is a lie. It is actually "sowing the seeds of opportunity"

"I'm working so hard, but I'm just not getting the results I want..."

Everyone has had that experience, haven't they?

I myself often feel that way in my daily health management, work, and studies.

But recently, I came across a very interesting article.

The article stated that what lies beyond effort and action is not a result, but an opportunity, and I strongly resonated with this way of thinking.

The essence of "working hard" that we tend to misunderstand

Many people believe that "if you work hard, good results will surely follow."

I thought so too when I was younger.

I still remember clearly about 20 years ago when I applied for a non-fiction article contest in a sports newspaper.

I wrote the manuscript desperately, and the result was an honorable mention.

After that, I was given the opportunity to contribute to that sports newspaper for a while.

But, to be honest, I sometimes think that if I had seized that opportunity more firmly, I might have had a different life.

The essence of opportunity and the mindset to seize it

In fact, even if you repeat efforts and actions, it is more common that they do not appear as visible results immediately.

For example, in my case, I continue to update my note every day while dealing with depression.

It is by no means easy to secure time for reading every morning and writing every night while facing my physical condition.

There are days when I suffer from lower back pain and cannot sit for long periods of time.

Even so, I continue because I feel that this activity itself is an important opportunity for me.

In life, effort and action are never in vain.

However, their value does not always appear in the form of "immediately visible results."

Instead, it is said that it will always appear before us in the form of an 'opportunity'.

When I encountered this way of thinking, something inside me just 'clicked'.

Daily habits to ensure you don't miss opportunities

For example, let's think about job hunting.

In a situation where you don't get a job offer even after applying to 100 companies, anyone would feel like 'it might be impossible'.

However, in that process, your interview skills should have steadily improved.

Also, you will have acquired knowledge about various industries.

And then, at the 101st company's interview, you successfully pass by utilizing the experience you gained until then.

This can be called the moment you seized the 'opportunity' created by your efforts and actions.

When I first started posting on social media, there was absolutely no reaction.

Even so, as I continued to post every day and made small improvements, I unexpectedly began to receive comments from readers.

Each of those encounters has become an opportunity for new insights and learning.

Even on days when I don't feel well, by continuing to post as much as I can, opportunities arrive in unexpected ways.

Turning points in life do not always arrive in dramatic forms.

Rather, they arrive in unexpected moments amidst the accumulation of small daily efforts.

For example, a conversation with someone you met while visiting the hospital regularly for treatment can sometimes open up new possibilities.

Also, a walk you started for health management can sometimes stimulate new discoveries and creativity.

What is important is to have the sensitivity not to miss those opportunities when they arrive.

It is said that many people give up, thinking 'there are no results,' and end up missing out on a valuable opportunity without realizing that it was actually just about to arrive.

Unexpected developments created by a chain of opportunities

According to the article, opportunities have an interesting characteristic.

That is, once you grasp an opportunity, it attracts new opportunities one after another.

It's as if, when you are struggling desperately in the ocean, if you can grab a single straw, you can start to see the path to the shore.

I have felt this in my own experience as well.

I started posting on note simply because I was looking for a place for self-expression.

However, as I continued to write, my writing skills improved, which unexpectedly had a positive impact on communication in my workplace.

I used to be bad at conveying my thoughts and feelings properly, but thanks to my daily writing habit, I have gradually become able to speak in my own words.

As a result, my relationships at work have gradually improved, and opportunities to take on new tasks have increased.

This is by no means a special case.

For example, reading during morning activities that I started for health management.

At first, it was just meant to build a habit, but the knowledge I gained there was applied to my daily work and life, opening up new possibilities.

In this way, a chain of opportunities is being created in unexpected ways.

Sometimes, it becomes difficult to continue due to fluctuations in physical condition or a busy work schedule.

But even then, it is important to take a small step forward.

This is because that step holds the potential to attract new opportunities.

Even if you can't sit for a long time due to lower back pain, you can take notes while standing for a short time.

By repeating such ingenuity, you can sometimes gain unexpected insights.

The big difference between 'results' and 'opportunities'

What was particularly impressive in the article was,

'What lies beyond effort and action is not a result, but an opportunity'

is the way of thinking.

This suggests an important shift in perspective in our lives.

The mindset of 'acting to seize opportunities' rather than 'working hard to achieve results' actually makes a big difference.

If you focus too much on results, you can easily become short-sighted.

For example, I remember when I won an honorable mention in a sports newspaper contest 20 years ago.

At the time, I was disappointed that it was 'only an honorable mention,' but in reality, a great possibility for a chance to contribute was hidden there.

If I had seized that opportunity more firmly at the time, a path as a writer might have opened up for me.

However, opportunities are always lurking in life.

Even if there were opportunities you missed in the past, new ones will surely come along.

The important thing is whether you are prepared to identify and seize those opportunities when they arrive.

The article says,

'Your efforts are already enough,'
'You are also taking action.'

It speaks to us.

That's right. Many of us are already making enough effort and taking the necessary actions.

The article teaches us that what matters now is to keep our antennas up so we don't miss the opportunities that come our way.

Actions starting tomorrow will invite new opportunities.

Preparation for seizing opportunities actually lies in the accumulation of small daily actions.

In my case, reading every morning and writing on Note at night is a daily battle while consulting with my physical condition.

Dealing with arrhythmia and diabetes, there are many times when things don't go as planned.

But even with such limitations, I continue to do what I can, little by little.

That very attitude might actually be the power that attracts new opportunities.

'Effort and action do not call for results, but for opportunities.'

This way of thinking gives us great hope.

This is because while there may only be one result, there are infinite opportunities.

They are scattered all around us, much like the stars shining in the night sky.

Even if you are not seeing the results you want right now, your efforts are steadily attracting opportunities.

The important thing is not to give up on that effort and action.

And to continue honing the sensitivity to not miss the opportunities that come your way.

Beyond that, there is surely a future waiting for you that is beyond your imagination.

The phrase written at the end of the article, 'Beyond effort and action, opportunities will come one after another.'

I would like to keep these words in my heart and continue to take one step forward at a time starting tomorrow.

Why don't you also try to hone your sensitivity to notice the opportunities lurking around you?

Surely, the door to new possibilities will open.

Thank you very much for reading until the end.

Your likes, follows, and comments would be the greatest encouragement.

I hope to continue helping you all grow.

As companions who can grow together, I look forward to our continued journey.