By Sunday-Akanni M.
Have you ever wondered why some people keep searching for jobs for years, while others create opportunities for themselves?
One thing I have come to understand is that you don't always have to wait for someone to employ you before you can become productive and earn a living.
Sometimes, the opportunity you are looking for is hidden in what you can already do.
Think about it. People have different natural abilities. Some are good at writing, teaching, organising, designing, speaking, fixing things, or bringing people together. These abilities may seem ordinary to you because they come naturally, but they could be valuable to someone else.
The question is: What problem can you solve with what you have?
Instead of asking only, “Who is hiring?” begin to ask yourself, “What can I do that people need?”
For instance, if you are good at writing, you could help businesses create content. If you have a talent for teaching, you could offer tutorials. If you are good at organising, you could help people coordinate events and activities.
You don't necessarily need to start big. Start with what you have, improve your skills, and look for people who need the value you can offer.
Of course, having a talent does not automatically guarantee prosperity. You must be willing to develop it, learn how to use it effectively, and put it into practice. You may also need to learn how to communicate your value and use available technology to reach more people.
Your natural ability is a starting point, not the destination.
Don't wait until everything is perfect before you begin. Take practical steps. Offer your service, create something useful, help someone solve a problem, and learn from the experience.
You can still pursue paid employment while developing your talent. The goal is not to abandon every other opportunity, but to stop believing that a job offer is the only possible path to productivity and income.
So, take some time to look inward. What do you do well? What do people often ask you to help them with? What useful problem could you solve if you developed that ability further?
You may discover that you have been overlooking an asset that could open new doors for you.
Discover yourself. Develop yourself. Deploy yourself.
Sometimes, the opportunity you need begins with making better use of what is already in your hands.
