Many of you know I recently moved my office...twice in the last 4 months.  You might immediately think, “I’m glad I’m not moving.”  But, what an opportunity I had to touch every item in my office just one more time!  Ahhh-- who am I kidding?  Moving is difficult and really forces you to make decisions about unutilized business cards, marketing ideas, and project plans.

Each sticky note, article, and invitation represents an opportunity.  The sheer number can knock you senseless.  How many opportunities or (dare I ask) piles of opportunities do you have?  Is it invigorating to thumb through each slip of paper and cocktail napkin or is it dispiriting being reminded of the missed connections and potential ventures?  Most of us become discouraged, especially if the opportunities are past their prime. 

Opportunities are like grapes, they get a little dull and wrinkly with age.  They start out ripened to perfection: sweet and juicy.  But when ignored, they become soft, moldy, and much less rewarding.  Obsolete opportunities take more energy and time to harvest, compared to brand new opportunities.  New opportunities are typically more fun to tackle and give you a greater sense of accomplishment when addressed in a timely manner.

Are you drained by sour grapes, those old opportunities now overgrown by thorny weeds?  Are you trapped in the perimeter of your business by dried-up ideas or expired connections?  Would you rather spend your time working excitedly in the fresh fruit of rewarding concepts and relationships?  Then it is time to make some choices about your grapes:

1. Pretend to ignore it.  Continue feeling guilty because you haven’t harvested the opportunity and be reminded of that disappointment every time it catches your eye.  Allow opportunities to knock you senseless, rather than just calling a sour grape a sour grape.
   
   
2. Discard it.  Remember, your current mission might be new or your true passion shifted since you discovered that yellowed newspaper clip.  If it gives you relief to even consider throwing something out, that is a big clue!  (Warm up to the idea by sealing sour grapes in a ‘date-stamped’ box.  After 3 weeks, recycle the whole box.  Don’t peek or rummage through-- just get rid of it.)
   
   
3. Make it work!  Is it the only thing keeping you from fulfilling your 2009 business plan?  Then make it work!  Is it God’s will for you and your team or an answer to a recent prayer?  Then make it work!  (Please identify the core reason for not addressing these items earlier.  Fear?  Missing skill set?  Neglected partnership?  Mismanaged time?  These are perfect topics for discussion with your Mastermind Group or Business Coach.)

I challenge you to go through your bushels of grapes and discard the ones that are expired.  Give yourself permission to be available and creative for the fresh and shining fruit in your business.  It is time to experience the hope of doing the most important things first, rather than being overwhelmed or distracted by decaying and less rewarding opportunities.

...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)