I’m not a fan of knocking on doors, both the literal and figurative types. With real doors, I’m just lazy. Effort is required to walk up to them and knocking involves a lot of wrist action. Then you have to stand around waiting for someone to open up. You may even have to knock again because no one heard you the first time. It’s a lot of work and I’ve got weak wrists, hence, I’m not a fan.

I would like to say my disinterest with figurative doors (potential opportunities) is also a product of laziness, but the number of hoops I jump through to justify avoiding them is far more work than knocking on the door itself. I am the queen of trying to talk myself out of doing things. When I run out of good excuses, I seek ‘advice’ from others, in hopes that they can come up with a reason to justify my state of inaction. Sadly, it rarely works. So, after hours, days, or weeks of mental gymnastics I’m back where I started, walking towards a door that I need to knock on.

Some of you may be wondering, Ife, why are you so reluctant to seek out new opportunities? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take! Doors will be opened to those who are bold enough to knock! Carpe Diem! [Insert inspirational quote of your choosing]

I hear you loud and clear. Intellectually, I know the best course of action is to knock, but that thought process doesn’t always translate into action, and I’m trying to figure out why.

Here are a few theories:

1. I have a disinclination to interact with new people
2. I’ve had bad door knocking experiences in the past (maybe gotten a splinter or two)
3. I have a fear of looking foolish
4. I have an aversion to change
5. I just like to unnecessarily overthink life
6. Maybe I’m a little lazy – I’d rather an opportunity fall into my lap than seek one out

All these explanations hold varying degrees of truth, but none of them are good reasons to choose stagnation over potential opportunity.

At this point in my writing, I’d usually break down the benefits of knocking on doors, but I feel it’s a bit unnecessary. There are times in life where you need to sit patiently and wait, but more often than not, to progress, you have to proactively seek out people and opportunities.

It’s funny, yesterday I spoke at an event and one of the key pieces of advice I gave was to make the most of the opportunities around you. To learn from others and glean their wisdom. To be okay looking foolish and ignorant for a moment in hopes of gaining lasting knowledge and insight. I told them to keep asking for help, to keep seeking connections and opportunities, and in essence to keep knocking on doors.

I can’t not practice what I preach, can I? If I don’t want to be a hypocrite, I guess I have to back my words with some actions. Sadly, this means I may need to give up my valiant hunt for excuses and continue to approach different doors. Knocking is laborious, my poor wrists will suffer, but maybe something good will come out of it.