This article is part of a series. Learn more about it and access links to other articles in the series here.

Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room first: opportunize is not, technically, a word.

I know that. But I’m going for something here, so stay with me.

I could have used the noun “opportunity” for this week’s topic. But I wanted to turn it into a verb, because really, that’s what it should be.

Opportunities don’t simply appear out of thin air. They are created. They require action.

We have the ability to “opportunize” any situation. By that, I mean that we can take a situation and turn it into an opportunity simply by shifting how we respond to it. In changing our approach, we create the favorable conditions required for achieving a goal (which is the definition of opportunity).

We have to play an active part in that process. If we are passive, many opportunities remain hidden.

Years ago, I was feeling really unfilled with work. Things were going well, but I hadn’t yet found my true professional calling.

I could have just kept calm and carried on, but that’s my style. I needed to take action. That’s when I started my first blog in 2007. It was based on the topic of professional development, and I used it to channel my love for personal growth and to hone my professional passions. I had no idea what I would do with it, but it felt challenging and exciting, and that’s what I needed.

I can honestly say that my life and career were never the same after that.

As a direct result of that action I took 10 years ago, I created endless professional opportunities for myself. I’m now a career coach and corporate trainer ONLY because I dared to venture out and opportunize a less-than-ideal situation.

I firmly believe we can create opportunities out of anything. Every unfulfilling job is an opportunity to find fulfillment elsewhere. Every weakness or flaw we have is an opportunity for growth. Every mistake we make is an opportunity for learning. Every person we struggle to get along with is an opportunity for self-reflection.

Every moment of every day presents a wealth of opportunities.

But those opportunities require action from us. We can’t sit idly by and expect them to appear.

We have to make the choice to seek opportunity. That’s what this fake word “opportunize” is all about.

If you want to achieve your version of career success, get out there and create opportunities for yourself. Take a few risks and see where you land. Even if you don’t know what you’re aiming for, the goal may appear. Action is extremely powerful.

Recommended Reading: Decision vs. Action: A Key Distinction for Success

What do you need to opportunize in your life and career? Whatever it is, get started TODAY.

If you want to make sure you don’t miss any of my future articles in the Career Success A to Z series, become a member of the Free Career Resource Library. Members have the option to sign up and receive blog posts directly in their email inbox as soon as they are published.