A well respected professor of mine taught our class about the difference between ideas and opportunities. There are lots of ideas – few are opportunities. The dream to live in Tuscany would be considered an idea to me, whereas developing the connections in order to set up a stage with one of the most famous butchers in the world is an opportunity. Few people receive opportunities like the one I will experience, and even fewer in my position would take the chance. The risk involved in living in another country, working a job completely unrelated to their degree, and not getting paid while there is quite high. Some argue that what I am about to embark on is not an opportunity at all, merely an escape from real life and a delay of the inevitable.
The day I booked my flight was both thrilling and ominous. I have no idea what type of work I will be completing during my time in Panzano, in Chianti, near Florence – only that it is both a butcher shop and restaurant. I have no idea what the living quarters will be like, or who I may meet while there. My decision was made with little to no solid information – with the “little” information being what day to show up in Florence. This decision reminds me of a concept Carly Fiorina developed during her time as CEO of HP - “Perfect Enough”. If perfect information is available, you’re already lagging in your business. If I knew all the information about my trip, I would have already missed the opportunity. Once a decision is made, turn the page, don’t look back, and get excited.
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