I learned a valuable lesson this summer when I came home from a very exciting vacation in the Philippines, “strike while its hot!”
The phrase comes from an old blacksmith tip for bending and shaping metals. You have to strike the metal while its hot and it will bend and mold to whatever you desire, but if you wait too long its near impossible.
The lesson I learned came when I began reading my emails and checking out my favorite blogs. Naturally when I checked out the blogs I read and learned that a founder of Blogussion had left the blog I was disappointed for the blog’s sake but then had a marvelous idea! The partner that had stayed has all the talents and skills I don’t have and we would make a very balanced team.
I researched the blog, developed very real tasks I could perform to make the partnership fair and balanced, and sent him an email. At first I wasn’t sure how he would react to my proposal but soon we talked and began working out the details to see if a partnership would work.
We found our interests and more importantly our goals matched rather well and our talents complimented each others weaknesses. Together we have now made a very successful team to promote, produce and provide excellent answers to some of blogging’s biggest questions.
Taking this opportunity taught me quite miraculously to face my fears, put myself all out on the line and give everything a try. The payoff was huge because I get to be a partner on one of the best blogs on the internet. Many new opportunities have come from the effort it took me to do some research and send an email. I spent thirty minutes and the results have changed my life. My individual blogging potential has dramatically increased because of a very timely decision.
What This Means to You
Opportunities present themselves all the time, be ready and willing to try your best and make the most of them. Finding opportunities like this requires you to be both open and observant. Blogging is all about these two very important elements.
Observation requires you to look intently at the problems readers in your niche (and other bloggers) are having and how you can personally provide answers for them. If you can find a way to solve a very difficult problem, the likelihood of the opportunity working out are increased.
Also take a hint from me, don’t rush into something. Make sure you research the opportunity well and understand what you are committing too. Don’t get yourself over your head or it could really hurt your reputation and even your income. Too many bloggers over-extend themselves and end up failing at all of them. Take opportunities when you are ready.
Remember there is a time and a place for every project or event. Be sure it’s the right time to start something new. If it is go for it, but if not its okay to hold out until you know it will work. We are offered new opportunities, joint ventures and potential income streams all the time but focusing on what is right for today is most important. If its not the right time then record the idea and save it for a time that will work.
Learn to judge when the time is right and then go for it. Remember, “strike while its hot!” and you will find great success and excellent opportunities every day. Just look at the best and biggest businesses and blogs… they saw an enormous opportunity and took the risk.
Will you be next?
51 Discussions
Nice post. I totally agree. It is all about the Perfect Timing, or that “hunch” or when something feels right. I try to listen to those omens and use them to my advantage. So far so good. I like this post.
Thanks Seth!
Arie
Arie Rich´s last blog ..The Day B4 Thanksgiving
Listening to your hunch is important! Sometimes you have to go with your gut and do what you really hope will be right. Especially if it is not an investment of money that will financially strap you!
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
Wow! Seth, you approached Alex, not vice-versa? It seems opposite somehow!
Good for you!
Robomaster´s last blog ..CoolAppSite is now Officially DoFollow!
That’s point! There are so many opportunities out there that we just sit on or let pass!
So times we need to just reach out and grab them. Alex and I have become a great team because I was willing to let him know I was interested. You would be surprised how many good things happen when we let people know about new opportunities.
Its like dating kind of… you can either sit around and wait for something “magical” to happen or you can help make it happen.
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
I do not believe in magical thing. This is your karma and your dedication which makes it a perfect team.
You always know when to approach and how to approach and that’s why we are able to see the benefit here.
ZK @ Web Marketing Blog´s last blog ..Get $30 Discount on Wordpress Wizard 2.0 – Wordpress Coaching Program
I like how you felt the fear and did it anyway. Always important in success.
Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..10 Things You Can Learn From Hitler About Success.
Getting on the ledge and then jumping no matter what fear you face is really important if you want to fly!
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
But I think to avoid such fear you should taste your strength as well.
I am sure in this case also you show your strength to Alex and you impressed him. Because at that moment he was in judge table …
What do you say ?
ZK @ Web Marketing Blog´s last blog ..Get $30 Discount on Wordpress Wizard 2.0 – Wordpress Coaching Program
I think you are probably right! I went with confidence and that made a big difference.
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
Doing the thing you fear. This has always been a tall order for me. Lately however, I am realizing that I’ll never amount to anything unless I face my fears up front. I am taking ‘baby’ steps in this direction and am seeing some good outcome. Had I been given the chance you had then, I probably would have let it pass though. I am that ‘not’ confident in myself at this point.
James M.´s last blog ..Photo Fun
Know when to do thing surely is a art of success. I learn from my blogging that some article really need the right time to gain success. I still sharpen my knowledge to know each right time available.
Dana @ Online Knowledge´s last blog ..GoDaddy Discount: Off 20%
You are so right, even articles should be given the best opportunities. For us we try and put our powerful posts on the best days of the week for traffic to get it extra promotion. Timing is everything!
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
I completely agree with you, we should have to grab the opportunities in the right time, I follow most of famous blog like problogger, copyblogger how they are marketing their blog. It help me for further improvement of my blog.
chandan´s last blog ..Twitter work at home program-Ad.ly [Digg]
The famous guys jumped at opportunities presented to them and now they are famous for it. Find something you can really be big at.
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
Seth my target is to come top ten for keyword “work at home”, its my dream and I have to success on my dream.
chandan´s last blog ..How KEI help choosing best keyword [Digg]
Seth,
Been following you guys for a while. Man, you push out a lot of content! With that said, I really enjoy what you guys do.
I’ve taken what you’ve said to heart on a lot of things. I really enjoyed this post and stumbled it for you.
Thanks for keeping it simple!
Chris – we are glad you like what we are doing!
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
I’m not big on chasing the next big thing, but I definitely agree that if you see an opportunity, don’t sit on it, but take action right away. And it looks like that worked out nicely for you Seth. Great post.
Antti Kokkonen´s last blog ..Create Free Images For Your Blog With Wordle
Right chasing trends is very different then taking an opportunity.
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
Hello Seth,
That is a great thought. That is the reason why certain people succeed and some people don’t. The people that do succeed learned how to strike while it’s hot. I find this so true in the blogging industry. The most successful bloggers are those who decided to blog before everyone else did. Thanks for the insight and I will definitely keep this phrase in mind.
Design Informer´s last blog ..Creative Toy Story Artwork
Great I’m glad its useful to you. Sometimes its the early adapters that make it big and other times its the late bloomers who come in after the industry is established and relabel it and redefine it… which will you be?
Your blog is looking great by the way!
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
Nice post seth! What’s important is you must be prepared always that great opportunity knocks only once and you should not let it passby
Blog Tips´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
Right when you get the right opportunity then research it and go for it!
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
Nice post seth.. Thanks for the info
Rajesh Kanuri´s last blog ..New Colors Added In Orkut Design
Great post.
People always tend to hesitate when a oppertunity arises, instead of doing this try grabbing it and make it work. I think that we also need to take risks as by taking risks you can find success as well. Of course you’ll fail sometimes and make a mistake, but just stand back up and try again, as long as you learn from your mistakes.
Teen Blogger´s last blog ..Why You Should Have An About Me And Contact Me Page
Taking risks is important if they are not too big
Seth´s last blog ..Strike While It’s Hot
In German we have a saying that could be translated to “who doesn’t dare, doesn’t win” You dared and you won, well done
SY
hospitalera´s last blog ..Time is money, don’t waste it!
Thanks for the german quote.. very pertinent!
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
That’s awesome I never knew that about this blog. Many of us are presented with opportunities and never pounce on them. This post serves as a goo reminder…thanks:)
Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..10 Quick Alexa Reviews for my Blog Buddies
Your welcome. I am glad this post can be inspirational to you and remind you to take chances and work hard.
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
Exceptional Post. Man, you’re not just a content provider for this blog.. Its like you’re a co-founder.
Anyways, you still here in Philippines? I would love to meet you..
Thanks a lot Melvin. I am not in the Philippines but I love it there! Might be taking a vacation there again in the next few years! Such a wonderful place.
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
If you want to get the maximum from your effort and your dedication than definitely have to pick that time which can give you highest benefit.
Here one thing is important that both party should need each other at the same level and that one is the key of successful partnership or earning.
ZK @ Web Marketing Blog´s last blog ..Get $30 Discount on Wordpress Wizard 2.0 – Wordpress Coaching Program
Its true.. timing is essential and so is mutual benefit. If you want it to work out well then both partners have to be benefiting.
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
Dear Alex and Seth,’
Isn’t this from your last newsletter? o.O
Whatever happened to our promised land… errr… Newsletter. You promised unique content there and I see it here to. Where is my newsletter?
Give it to me and I shall rest in corner of the world I belong to and never bother you again. Give it to me and we both shall live happily ever after, but you have no right to keep my food from me. Give it to me or I will shout, “They stole it from us, nasty bloggeres. My Precious!”
King Sidharth´s last blog ..Prove Thyself
Good points about going for it, but making sure you’ve set yourself up for success.
I currently have two blogs and am in the process of launching two more. I’ve already decided that of the four, two will be high priority and the other two will be lower priority.
John Soares´s last blog ..How to Get My New E-Book Maximum Productivity For Freelance Writers for Free
Setting yourself up is important. If you are not prepared then you wont have the success that from acting on opportunity would bring.
…but don’t quit striking. Too many people make a quick strike, fail to get the results they expected, and bail. You gotta see it through to get the results you want. Try a little perseverence.
Don´s last blog ..Comment Here and Get DoFollow Link to Your Site
The key is to keep striking when opportunities knock. Otherwise you will not succeed!
Yes you are right, we should strike it while it’s hot but we also shouldn’t quit striking! Great post!
iYingHang´s last blog ..Gurus or Not?
Correct. Its taking many good opportunities that makes us successful.
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
The guy who started Bear Sterns Investments has the same mantra. I’ve never forgotten it either because it has contributed to my personal success.
Glad you have found this mantra before and its working!
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
Good, people used to look for only opportunities what can suit them unless making opportunities. If we change our view in this, we can “strike while its hot”
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Interview with Simon from Teenius
Right on Senthil!
Seth´s last blog ..What has our Perception of “Quality Content” been turned into?
Good advice Seth. Many opportunities are only around for a limited time. If you procrastinate too much, that opportunity will likely pass you by. If you see something that suits you well, be the first to grasp that chance. Take the time to ensure that it is all feasible and then take the plunge. You may end up biting off more than you can chew, but you usually won’t know that until you give it a chance.
It’s better to regret striking and failing than it is to regret striking. We never know until we try to open it whether the door is locked or not.
Just like you, my biggest successes have come when I had a hunch, researched and acted, And not just monetary success, either. Personal and relationship success has resulted from being bold as well.
Thanks for reminding me to be bold once again.
This is the perfect post to lift the confidence of people who really require help from others. To be successful in life it is very important that you fire the bullet at the right time and at the right place.
This is very true. Sometimes opportunity come our way but somehow we end up not striking because we think we need to prepare just a little bit more.
And in the end we spend so much time preparing that we miss the opportunity to strike when it’s hot. Sometimes we just need to go for it and prepare later.
All the best,
Eren
Eren Mckay´s last blog ..Cream of carrot soup recipe
Success is when preparation meets opportunity.
congratulations on taking the bull by the horns and capitalizing Seth!
Igor
Igor Kheifets-Internet Marketing´s last blog ..2 Profound Internet Marketing Lessons I Learned From Jackson Curtis
Thanks for this inspirational article that fits so many applications in life, not just blogging. You are very insightful. It sounds like the Philippines vacation was awesome too…what was your favorite place you visited?
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