1 Quote, 1 Truth, 1 Action

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Raise Your Hand

As a kid, in school, our class would play heads up seven up when the teacher ran out of assignments for us. The game is simple: seven people start in the front of the class, the rest of the class put their heads down with their thumbs up on the desk. The seven people at the front then pick a class member by putting his or her thumb down. When all are finished choosing, they say “Heads up, Seven Up,” and those who were picked guess which of the seven hit their thumb. As pointless as it was, that was a pretty fun game.

Unfortunately, as adults we still play this game. We have a tendency to wait for someone to hit our thumbs and choose us. When the round is over, we are disappointed that we weren’t chosen. The good news is that we live in a land of opportunity, where we can create a shot at jobs, roles and titles. We can create our future. It is not easy, but the first step is simple. Raise our hand. Unlike in heads up-seven up, you and I can raise our own hands and give ourselves a vote. Dont’ be bashful. Put yourself out there!

When I Raised My Hand

In my first job out of college, I found out that the group leader of my team had taken another job and the spot would be vacated. I saw an opportunity to take on a leadership role, but knew that there was little chance a new graduate would be given the opportunity. Still, I raised my hand. I went into my senior manager’s office the next day and told her that I am interested in filling the needed role as a group lead. And she thanked me, clearly appreciating my enthusiasm to step up. I did not get the job. But what did I gain?

Awareness. The people around me knew that I was hungry for more. More growth, more opportunity, more responsibility. They knew they could count me in. Just few months later, I would have that greater opportunity, when I obtained an exclusive rotation assignment. I received the benefits of raising my hand.

What Are You Pursuing?

What opportunity are you waiting for? What are you doing to pursue it? Have you knocked on the door or raised your hand? If you are counting on other people to give you a shot, do they know how bad you want it? Have you demonstrated your hunger? When the people around you think about you, would they say they can count you in? 

Raise your hand.

“The doors will be opened to those who are bold enough to knock.” Tony Gaskins

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