Opportunity vs. Opportunist
As we close out the year, many of us reflect on what we’ve gained, what we’ve given, and how we’ve grown. But there’s a deeper question worth asking: Am I living as an opportunity or as an opportunist?
The difference may seem small, but it shapes how we show up for others, and how others experience us.
An opportunity is someone who adds value, who creates space for others to thrive, and who contributes to the collective. Opportunities are assets—trusted, steady, and generous.
An opportunist is someone who takes more than they give, who shows up only when there’s something to gain, and who leans on community without pouring back in. Opportunists become liabilities—draining trust and eroding connection.
At its core, this is about being an asset vs. a liability. Ask yourself: What kind of resource am I for others? Do people feel stronger, clearer, or more supported after engaging with me—or do they feel depleted?
Building the Right Community
Communities aren’t just built—they’re formed through the consistent contributions of those within them. Take a moment to reflect on your circle:
Who has been an opportunity in your life—lifting, encouraging, or challenging you in ways that built your growth?
How are you showing gratitude and giving back to those people?
Where can you shift from consuming to contributing, from opportunist tendencies to opportunity presence?
Contribution as Currency
Healthy communities flow because members pour into one another. Progress is sustained when resources, ideas, and encouragement circulate. True wealth isn’t measured in what you extract, but in what you give that multiplies for others.
As we move into a new year, consider this: being an opportunity means being intentional about the energy, value, and presence you bring. It means deciding that your place in the community is one of contribution, not just consumption.
TISM Connect Reflection Prompt:
As you step into the new year, ask yourself: Am I showing up as an opportunity or an opportunist? And how can I ensure I’m contributing to my community in ways that make me an asset, not a liability?