In a world that’s constantly and rapidly evolving, waiting for opportunities to come knocking at your door is a passive approach that often leads to missed chances. Many young organizations and people, especially in developing countries like Pakistan, voice their frustrations about limited market opportunities, economic challenges, and slow growth indicators. While these concerns are valid, an important perspective often overlooked is that opportunities are not always found—they are created. An American author Milton Berle once said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
Pakistan, like many other nations, faces hurdles such as political instability, economic constraints, and infrastructural gaps. These challenges can seem like undefeatable barriers for your professional growth be it an individual or as an organization or business. However, history is filled with stories where despite such obstacles, organizations and people carved their own paths and created opportunities where none seemed to exist.
The truth is, the key to unlocking opportunity lies within us—our skills, creativity, resilience, and willingness to take risks. Often, the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is not luck, but a mindset that refuses to be bound by circumstances.
A critical element in this journey is to recognize that most of the limitations we perceive are often self-imposed or rooted in our mindset. Many of us focus on what we lack rather than what we possess. The key to unlocking opportunity lies within us—our skills, creativity, resilience, and willingness to take risks. As Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.”
I interpret it as you have to take a decision; believing in yourself and your decision. The decisions are not meant to be right all the time. The right decision can only be made with experience; and experience only comes when you make decisions. Don’t be scared of making a wrong decision but do when you are lacking behind in making decisions.
Developing your emotional intelligence and your emotional strength (EQ) plays a vital role here as well, as it enables you to better understand your emotions, manage stress, stay motivated, and navigate challenges with resilience. Being emotionally strong helps you to persevere through setbacks, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain focus on our goals without losing confidence in yourself.
Tony Robbins put it aptly: “The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.” The core message remains the same: do not wait for opportunities to come to you. Instead, go out, test your limits, and carve your own path. Shehzad Roy, a renowned Pakistani musician puts this in a way, “You don’t have to wait for the system to change—be the change yourself.”
Your circumstances do not define your future but your actions do. Building a better future requires inner strength, resilience, and a proactive mindset—qualities that anyone can develop with effort and determination. “The best way to predict the future is to create it” said Peter Drucker. The future belongs to those who are willing to shape it, not those who wait for it to happen. Instead of waiting for a perfect opportunity, why not create one? You can open new doors and discover avenues you hadn’t considered before. Identifying gaps in the market or community and brainstorming innovative solutions can turn small ideas into successful ventures. Most importantly, persistence is key—rejections and failures are part of the process, and those who learn from setbacks and keep moving forward ultimately succeed.
Remember, you don’t need massive capital or resources to start; many successful people or organizations began with limited means and scaled their ideas over time. Building a network of like-minded individuals, mentors, and industry experts can provide guidance, support, and inspiration along the way and that’s where Genesis Global Services come along your side; we build strategic partnerships to bring you innovate solutions and right expertise so that you can create your own opportunities!!!
Sunil Gill
Genesis Global Services