Most people have a dream career in their minds, and most of the time it stays there and never manifests in real life. If chances are like buses, these persons are like marble statues on the bus stop, unable to move and get to any of the vehicles. Why? They are not ready. Or they don’t see the opportunities. Or they are scared. Or they simply don’t have money for the bus ticket.

How to be ready for career opportunities? You should sort out a few things in your life.

1. You should be in a proper financial situation

First of all, you should be ready financially. Let’s say you have the opportunity to check your skills in the new job. Savings, which could cover a few months of living costs, can help you to decide on a change. You might also spot an opportunity to start a prospering business. It is very difficult to get grants and investors for start-up projects. You should be ready for opportunities financially. Without savings, you might hesitate. The question ‘what if they will fire me after one month?’ can ruin your career. A solid amount in your bank account can help.

If you have no money, don’t be choosy, take a work that can pay your bills, but do not feel too comfortable there. While working in your temporary position, save up and look for your dream job.

2. You should have a proper health

Life chances can be missed, if you are coping with health problems. In such situations, you think only about your pain, disorders, and ways to improve your health. You stop focusing on career or personal possibilities and relations. Try to stay fit. We were not born to sit, our bodies are designed to move. Take care of healthy eating habits, which doesn’t mean dieting. Diets are not healthy.

Also when fit and healthy, you are feeling better. Your energy allows you to complete difficult tasks and impress your coworkers and boss. When in your own business, don’t spend all your days working on a start-up. Take care of your health and proper life-work balance.

3. You should have a proper mindset

You should stop doubt in yourself. Sometimes you will be the only person believing in yourself in your environment. Others might not get your vision — because they have different ones. They might also think small, and your plans seem to be impossible for them. It doesn’t mean, that they are against you — they just do not get it. If you agree with their point of view, you can forget about making progress. Life opportunities will be lost because you will be doubting your potential. So never doubt yourself. Leave it to others. Deep inside you know about your possibilities. If you can imagine yourself working in a certain profession, this means you are able with proper training to do it.

4. You should have a proper knowledge

This one is tricky. You need to have proper knowledge at a certain time, to get the chance, let it be for a demanding job, business, or even in personal situations. But sometimes you should try to do it, take this new job, and you can learn in the process. It will be more stressful, than having already skills. If you have a goal in your life, educate yourself on daily basis towards it. Times, when you stopped learning after completing courses or studies, are gone. To be an expert nowadays, you need to learn on daily basis.

5. You should do a proper research and action steps

Don’t wait for the opportunity to knock on your door. Take things into your own hands. Do daily action steps towards your goals. This will speed up the process. Look for the opportunities and know, how they look alike. Be observant. See chances where others don’t see them. Do proper research. If you want to change your career path, get to know, what skills are demanded in the new profession. Take a look at job post descriptions of a perfect worker. If you lack experience, try to build your portfolio, on your own, or as a volunteer or apprentice.

I hope this helps. Now do a first small step towards your goal and write down in the comment what was it.