opportunity cost

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity"  Seneca

We are all faced with opportunities everyday - To act or react to the events that come our away. I often hear people speak about how they had an opportunity presented to them and they were unsure about whether or no to take it. 

Dilemma...

What if the opportunity passes? 

How do I know it is right for me? 

What should I do? 

I believe that there are four questions that we can ask ourselves that will help filter opportunities for us to seize or not to seize.

1. How will this opportunity reflect against my core business / values?

2. What will this opportunity potentially cost me?

3. Am I prepared to pay that cost?

4. How long am I prepared to pay the cost? 

I'm in Sydney at the moment visiting a friend who is quite sick. I took the opportunity to come because I love the person and cherish their friendship but the opportunity costs. I'm desperately missing my family. The boys have just started their first week back at school. I have had to reschedule work to make time to come over. Am I prepared to pay that cost? Yes, definitely - he is an incredible friend, but for how long can I stay? In this situation - four or five days. Any longer at the moment and I think it would begin to have a significant -ve impact on the other things that I consider important and love. 

Opportunities will present themselves everyday in the different facets of life. I guess the first and main thing is to know what your core business is, know what is of the upmost importance to you and then weigh the opportunities up against that.