There are endless opportunities that are always available to us. Some opportunities are more obvious than others but when we are open to seeing all of them, the world becomes our oyster! So what should we do when opportunities in the workplace come our way and we are approached to do something such as a special project or commitee, a new job or promotion? Should we always accept the offer? It depends!

One Knock At the Door

If we are approached by a peer, coworker, or leader to participate or apply for a special project or position, is it career suicide to decline the offer? Not necessarily. A person is approached to something outside their current situation because others see a skill and talent that can help a team,an office or an organization. It’s a true compliment to be approached but it may not be the right time or opportunity to accept. Declining an opportunity should always be respectful and start with gratitude for being considered followed by the reason. If we want to be reconsidered for future opportunities, how we decline the first knock is extremely important. In my own career, I declined two amazing opportunities that proved to be valuable stepping stones once they came around again! After they came around the second time and I was approached again, I opened the door which proved to be the best decisions for my career.

Two Knocks at the Door

What should we do when the same or similar opportunity arises and we are again approached? Should we accept? My advice is yes! There is definitely a reason why a person is being approached yet again. Others are seeing something that perhaps we are not seeing and it usually leads to amazing growth opportunities. Will we feel prepared? Will we feel qualified? Will we feel over our head? Probably! Just remember that there is a quality, skill and talent being exuded that can help others! When we are being pulled to do something outside the comfort zone, go with the flow and remove the resistance. Our unique talents will overcome any doubt and the coworker or leader who approached us know this, since they are knocking twice!

Opportunities will continually come our way! Some doors we open and some we don’t. If we open the door to opportunity, it usually leads to amazing growth and fulfillment. If we don’t open the door, we can do so respectfully and graciously. If there are two knocks at the door, there is definitely a reason and my advice is to open the door to opportunity! Most likely we will look back and know it was one of the best career decisions ever made.