Opportunity

Today's word is OPPORTUNITY. This sounds a bit like Mr. Roger's Neighborhood or Sesame Street. That may not be a bad idea though as many of us have forgotten the basic principles of business and how we can take advantage of those little blessings that come along. Those OPPORTUNITIES!

Webster's Dictionary defines the word:
1. A favorable juncture of circumstances.
2. A good chance for advancement or progress.
Certainly makes it sound very promising when there is an opportunity around. We all know that over the last few years most of us has seen opportunity on the endangered list. They have been a rare bird for many business owners. We, like so many others, found it difficult for the last few years to find work. However we had to take a different look at things in order to stay positive. There was only so much doom and gloom that I could take from the media. We needed to find our own opportunities in areas that didn't exist for us before. These principles have been outlined below that has helped us through the tough times.

1. "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison. A great quote and so true. I hear of so many that just do not want to WORK for what is currently available out there. Our office took the stance that we would handle anything. Anything to keep us going and keep us fed. No, it may not be glorious work, but it pays the bills....or most of them. We have always taken smaller projects that other firms have passed on or considered beneath them. We always believed that "everyone needs an architect"! One of our earlier clients asked us to do color studies for the outside of a few of their properties.....very small fee. $250 - $500. We took it....and did it very well. Probably went over board but made the best of it. We ended up doing do 40-50 of these projects. Later we did, two libraries, interior office plans, building upgrades and more. All from a few color sketches.
2. "Seize opportunity by the beard, for it is bald behind." Bulgarian proverb. If you haven't ever seen a picture of me, let me share. I am bald and have a long goatee. Now what possibly can this mean? I am not from Bulgaria, but I like the saying. Well, I cant pull my hair out....it already is. Goatee is longer now and you can now get a grip on it.....ouch! hurts even thinking about that. How about this? Have you spent time thinking about ...just if.....If we get this project....if we had a little more money....if we had a better job...if...if...if. Remember the TV commercial "Met Life"...In the middle is the word "if". Don't miss out on the LIFE that is passing you by. Make the best of what you have and laugh the rest off. Enjoy the now....not the later. I will share a humbling experience. Things got tight...lost our cars. had to buy a used car. Recently daughter ran into tree. Not enough damage to do anything but make it look ugly. Passenger door for some reason wouldn't open from the outside...sometimes.....sometimes it would. Not sure what was wrong with it but oh well, we will just open it from the inside......Driver's door got the same virus.....what is going on here! A bit silly to have to leave the window down so you can reach in and open the door without looking like a criminal.....or worse yet....having to climb in the back seat, reach over and open the front door so I can get in the car.....how embarrassing.....how humbling. How lucky I am to have a car! I just laugh it off and deal with it. Make jokes about it and i am sure I will never forget the experience. By the way the doors did get fixed...lol. wouldn't pass inspection without!
3. "Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change." Ramsay Clark. There certainly has been some rough times. For us, we saw opportunity. Opportunity to reinvent ourselves. Opportunity to make new friends, relationships, business partners. We had to think out of the box even more than we ever did before. Not just about 'design principles' but about 'practice principles'. We launched a new engineering consulting opportunity in the middle of the down turn. Made connections through professional associations. Never turned down a project, time frame or opportunity to help anyone and everyone. We squeezed by to make it past it each and every payday. Oh, don't let me make it sound like it was easy. It wasn't! It was turbulent to say the least. The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis'. One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, beware or danger, but recognize opportunity.

Things are changing out there in the work climate. We have been blessed with the opportunity to practice endurance and perseverance. Neither are fun, but both appreciated. Appreciated because we know and acknowledge how wonderful we have it now. May not be perfect, but we are still standing. Let us know how we can help you. How we can encourage you and why we feel IONIC DEZIGN STUDIOS is so different than any other architecture practice in the area.
The best to each and everyone of you during this holiday season. Make sure my friends that you enjoy the journey....not just the destination!