P.S. Early this year, I stumbled across this piece by Seth Godin, a blogger I admire, on Google Reader. I spent the whole morning translating it, and the takeaway? “No harm in taking a risk!” 😄 Happy New Year, everyone!

A World of Opportunity

A friend once asked me what’s worth looking forward to in a world that feels so pessimistic. My answer? It’s not bleak at all—it’s brimming with possibilities.

Bank interest rates are at historic lows, crime rates are nearly the lowest ever, industries are being reshaped, and there’s never been more momentum for outsiders to shake things up. (Okay, that last bit might not quite apply here at home!) The gloom my friend saw was, in fact, the spark of a revolution.

I said this nine years ago, and it’s stayed with me. Since I wrote those words, people have ushered in an era of social transformation—building billion-dollar companies, toppling dictators, discovering new careers, and mastering new skills. In short, it’s been a whirlwind of change.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Here’s an article I wrote in the early 2000s:

Hindsight is perfect, they say. People look back at the 1990s and wish they’d been braver. So, what will you say when you reflect on the 2000s? That’s the question to ask yourself—maybe record it while staring in your bathroom mirror. It could save you from regret 15 years from now. Ask: “What would I do if I could go back to a time when interest rates were the lowest in 50 years, crime was nearly nonexistent, talented workers were hunting for great jobs, the tech industry was leaping forward, and marketing was easier than ever with barely any competition for bold, innovative ideas?”

Many would answer, “I spent my time waiting, whining, worrying, and wishing.” That mindset seems to linger around us lately. Thankfully, not everyone admits to making those misguided choices.

Seizing the Moment

While some companies wait for an economic rebound, Reebok launched Travel Trainers—stylish, soft sneakers for travelers. They’re selling out in Japan, from vending machines to airport shops.

While Detroit’s automakers lament high gas prices hurting SUV sales (their cash cow), Honda’s busy crafting SUV-lookalikes that sip half the fuel. The Honda Pilot is now a hit with a backlog of orders.

While others fret over Africa’s struggling economy, a small startup called ApproTEC took action. Their new product contributes 0.5% to Kenya’s GDP. How? They created a $75 StairMaster-like device, not for exercise but for farmers to irrigate fields. It’s shifted farmers from subsistence to selling surplus crops, tripling their income in just one year.

While you’re waiting for a life-changing moment to spark something grand, thousands of young entrepreneurs are diving in with ordinary courage, building remarkable businesses. Take Lucrative Web, a brilliant cataloging tool and fast-growing PR firm that started on a shoestring and turned profits faster than expected. Or Meetup.com, a site that connects people for meetups on any topic, anywhere, with 200,000 users and counting.

Don’t Let Opportunity Pass

Maybe you’re still standing at that mirror, wondering what you’d have done in the 1990s. What’s your biggest regret? Would you wish you’d started, joined, invested, or built something? Or that you’d had just a bit more courage to begin?

In hindsight, the 1990s were a golden era, and many missed out. Why? Because we always find reasons to stall, to skip an opportunity, or to say no. Looking back, it’s hard to recall why we refused, but easy to wish we’d said yes.

The truth is, we’re still in a world bursting with opportunities. In fact, we don’t just have a chance—we have a duty. A duty to use our time to do something great. To find ideas that solve problems and share them. To push ourselves and those around us to prove our potential, perspectives, and impact. To take risks and make the world astonishingly better.

Embrace the Chaos

Are these crazy times? You bet. Just like the days we spent under strict school rules, coddled like ducklings, or lived through the fear of disasters like Three Mile Island or Love Canal. Life always has its turbulent moments.

So stop dwelling on how tough things are and start asking what these times demand of you. Business, in the usual sense, is tied to failure, disappointment, and bruises on your dreams. That’s why there’s always a better moment for something new. Your competitors are too scared to invest in cutting-edge tools. Banks are clueless about safe investments. Talented workers are seeking fresh, passionate, all-in opportunities.

You have a choice. You can make it every day. It’s never too late to choose a perspective, an action, or something extraordinary. The best part? It only takes a second or two to decide.

Before you finish reading this, you have the power to change everything coming your way. Ask yourself—or your colleagues—the question every person and organization needs today: “Why not be great?”

Translated with permission from Seth Godin.