Are You Missing Out On A Life-Changing Opportunity?

Have you ever looked back and thought, “Wow, I should have said YES to that opportunity?”

Opportunities don’t always come dressed in glitter. Often, they show up disguised as discomfort, fear, or a stretch we don’t feel “ready” for. They ask us to rise. Not because we feel confident, but because we’re willing to grow.

I was recently reminded of this in the most unexpected way.

I Almost Said No

A few months ago, Edith Karimi invited me to be a guest on her YouTube show, The Woman Experience, a platform known for bold, vulnerable conversations for women.

It sounded exciting and terrifying at the same time.

The fears came almost instantly:

What if I mess up on camera and everyone sees it?
What if I don’t have anything valuable to say?
This is YouTube…a lot could go wrong!
What if I sound like I don’t know what I’m talking about?
What if I’m not ready?

And of course…imposter syndrome was loud and made itself comfortable.

The indecision was real. For a few moments, I was tempted to decline and give a polite “Maybe next time,” even after I had accepted the invitation.

But deep down, I knew the truth.

This was an opportunity I needed to say YES to. Not because I felt ready, but because I was tired of letting fear run the show.

So I said YES.

Even after saying Yes, I kept second-guessing myself. But one thing I promised myself early on this year was: If an opportunity makes me nervous but lights a spark in me, I’ll say YES, and then figure out the HOW.

So I did.

The Unseen Preparation

That YES didn’t mean I was suddenly fearless. Far from it.

I decided that instead of over-preparing, I would trust myself. Edith had shared the show notes in advance, but I chose not to script anything. I showed up with honesty, readiness, and the intention to serve.

And I prepared in the ways that truly matter: mentally, physically, emotionally, and image-wise. I also created space to be fully present and aligned myself energetically with the message I was being called to share.

Before the recording, I was calm. I had meditated in the taxi during the commute. There was also no going back. This was it.

During the interview, I surprised myself. It felt like coming home to a truth I had always carried.

After the interview, I felt proud. Energized. Alive.

Then came another wave of fear…

The Real Test Was Watching Myself

When the first episode aired, I couldn’t watch it.

That same voice came back: What if I look silly? What if I ramble? What if I don’t look “professional” enough?

I even messaged Edith to tell her that I was afraid to watch it. She was kind in her response and told me to take my time and watch when I was ready.

Eventually, I gathered courage and pressed play.

And I loved it.

Then I watched the second episode. And the third. And the fourth.

I loved them all. Not because I was perfect. But because I was real.

Each episode felt like a gift, not just to the audience, but to myself.

And through these interviews, I could see my own message more clearly than ever before. I finally saw what others had been seeing in me: the voice, the vision, and the power I had been quietly nurturing all along.

I’ve talked more about each of the episodes in these blog posts, which also have links to the respective episodes:

And Then…Everything Shifted

Shortly after the interviews aired, Edith asked me for my business logo, and I sent her the one I had.

She gently (but firmly) said it wasn’t good enough. I needed to have something more professional. 😅

That one comment pushed me into something I had been avoiding: A rebrand.

In less than a week, my amazing Graphic Designer worked magic. We created a new brand identity – colours, logo, everything. And it felt so aligned.

I’ve also connected with an agency that will fully redesign my website in Q3.

And for the first time, I finally feel clear about what my main entry point program is for women who need my support. I had struggled for years to pinpoint this and it’s now running almost effortlessly.

I’ve also stepped more boldly into my mission and message. And through these episodes, I’m reaching people who wouldn’t have otherwise found me.

That clarity and boldness? It was hiding behind the fear I almost let win.

Now it’s here. And it’s because I chose to say yes to an opportunity I didn’t feel ready for.

But the truth is that I was ready and had been for years. I just couldn’t see it at the time because I had allowed fear and imposter syndrome to rule my mind!

What If Opportunity Is Already Here?

I feel as if many doors are opening now.

My confidence has skyrocketed. I’m reaching new audiences. My message is reaching women who need it most.

But none of this would have happened if I had waited to feel “ready.”

I had to say YES first. I had to trust that I would figure it out as I went along.

And I did.

Now, I look back and wonder: How many other opportunities did I miss because I was waiting to feel ready?

Too many.

And that’s what breaks my heart, more so because I know I’m not alone.

What Opportunities Are Waiting For You?

You’re a high-performing woman. You’re used to holding it all together, showing up for everyone, and staying in control.

But what happens when an opportunity shows up and you don’t feel ready?

What happens when the next “big thing” doesn’t come with a manual, or permission, or perfect timing?

Do you lean in?
Or do you let it pass?

Because the truth is that most opportunities don’t feel like opportunities at first.

They feel like:

Being an imposter
Inconvenience
Vulnerability
Pressure
Visibility
Fear

And yet, they might be the exact breakthrough you’ve been praying for.

Thomas Edison said that:
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

But I’d add:
Opportunity is missed by women because it often demands that we put ourselves first.

It requires us to choose ourselves over fear and doubt, and ignore the urge to over-prepare everything to perfection.

Are You Ready for Opportunity When it Knocks?

For high-performing women, especially those in leadership, opportunity also shows up in more complicated ways.

It looks like:

Being invited to speak on a panel (and feeling unqualified).
Being offered a role that feels like a stretch.
Speaking up at a high-level meeting because deep down you know the answer.
Starting that business or side project that’s been tugging at your heart.
Asking for support instead of pushing through silently.
Saying yes to rest, reflection, and reset when everyone expects you to keep going.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken.

You’ve simply been conditioned to say yes to everything and everyone except yourself.

5 Prompts to Help You Say YES (Even When You’re Afraid)

Having said all that, what can you do right now to prepare for or take advantage of an opportunity?

Here are some reflection questions you can use to get out of fear and say YES to more opportunities, starting today:

What is one opportunity you’ve been avoiding because you don’t feel ready, even though you know you are, and this opportunity excites you?
What would change if you trusted that you were ready enough and that you do have some amazing insights and solutions you can share?
What beliefs about “worthiness” or “preparation” are keeping you stuck or holding you hostage?
What’s the mental and emotional cost of saying NO to yourself, again?
Are there skills I need to learn or boost so that I overcome my fears and feel more confident (e.g. public speaking, leadership, presentation skills, etc)?
What is one small action you can take this week to step toward that YES?

You don’t have to leap off a cliff. Sometimes, the boldest decision is simply choosing not to run from growth.

Say YES More Often When Opportunity Knocks

Is there an opportunity that you’ve been looking at, excited, but afraid to say YES to it?

Are you missing out on what could elevate you, simply because you’re waiting to feel ready?

I’ve missed many opportunities in the past. Ones I now know I was ready for.

Most times, I missed them due to fear and a feeling of not being good enough.

But this time, I didn’t let fear win.

And it has changed everything: my business, my message, my confidence, and even provided clarity about my next steps.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to say yes to yourself…this article is it.

The version of you you’re becoming? She’s already ready.

You just need to say YES and catch up with her.

What do you think?

Share your insights, thoughts, or experience in the Comments below.

(Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash)

Here’s an Opportunity to Say Yes to Yourself

If this message stirred something in you, or if you’ve been meaning to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters, I invite you to join me in the 28 Days of Loving Yourself Challenge.

It’s a simple but powerful 4-week journey where high-achieving women like you finally make space for:

Reconnecting with yourself
Saying NO without guilt
Saying YES to what truly aligns or matters to you
Setting and reinforcing your personal and professional boundaries
Reclaiming your time, energy and voice, without stepping away from your responsibilities
Connecting with like-minded women in a community that nurtures.

This is your space to slow down without falling behind and reconnect with the version of you who says YES with courage, even when it’s hard.

The Challenge runs several times a year. Each cohort is a safe, supportive space to step back from the noise, get grounded, and build sustainable self-care practices that align with your real life.

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to finally put yourself first, this is it.

Click here to learn more and join the next cohort

Not Ready for the Challenge Yet?

If you’re still finding your footing or want to start with some gentle clarity work, I invite you to sign up for my weekly email newsletter.

When you sign up, you will get instant access to The Clarity Blueprint, a self-paced, 5-day e-course to help you reflect, reset, and realign your life.

The Clarity Blueprint reveals the 5 biggest mistakes high-achieving women make while pursuing success. These are mistakes that keep you stuck and make you lose your confidence.

You’ll also learn simple fixes that will help you reduce overwhelm and get clarity.

The Blueprint is the perfect next step if you’re not yet ready for coaching or group work but want to start making empowered changes on your own terms.

Click here to get The Clarity Blueprint and start receiving my weekly emails with encouragement, tools, and real talk for professional and business women.