Posted on by Pinkii Bakshi

Opportunity: A Chance or A Miss?

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity”
– Albert Einstein

Is there really an opportunity hidden in every difficulty, or is that just wishful thinking??

Honestly, it depends on how you see the world. If you’re an optimistic person, your mind is wired to find a silver lining, even in the darkest clouds. When you always start to see something good in every situation, your subconscious is already looking for ways to make it work for you, specially when you’re in a tough spot. It’s not bogus, it’s just the mindset.

I recall a particular incident that stayed with me, not because it was dramatic, but because it taught me a lesson that I still carry with me.

When I was working in the corporate few years ago, we had to deal with a particularly difficult client. He was furious and extremely stubborn. Our team was already going through a rough patch, and this felt like the last thing we needed.

That day, when he called in, fuming. Unfortunately—or maybe fortunately—an intern picked up the call. She panicked. She was not sure how to handle him without breaking any protocol, she transferred the call to me, as I happened to be the nearest person around.

I was taken in for a shock, but it was already too late to refuse. Before answering, I took a moment to breathe. I told myself, “Either I mess this up completely and cry later, or I give it my best shot and turn this around.”

With as much calm and confidence as I could muster, I picked up the call. I didn’t interrupt him. I didn’t offer any instant solutions. I just listened—really listened. I let him vent out his frustration. I had to really listen to him to understand what’s bothering him, apart from the service issue. It seemed he was one of our old clients, and he had expectations from our service, and he was right to do so. While he vented his frustration, I quietly pulled up his account and started looking into the issue.

When he finally finished, I responded with empathy, offered a sincere apology, and asked him a few relevant questions. I added the healthcare clinic manager to the call, and fortunately, the issue got resolved.

The tone of the conversation shifted. He was finally relieved. His words still ring in my ears:” You really showed dedication and got it resolved.” When I tried being humble and said everyone here is there to help him, he straightforwardly said,” I have been dealing with this issue for a long time, and nobody helped me, that’s why I reacted the way I did.” I thanked him and assured our team will always be at their best service. An hour later, my manager received an appreciation email from him.

That incident taught me something I carry with me to this day: I could’ve used that moment to feel overwhelmed and defeated, or I could have used it as a window to prove my capability. Thank God, I chose the latter.

Life throws many such difficult situations, be it a heartbreak, a setback at work, or moments of uncertainty in our personal lives. But I do believe that how we choose to engage with it, whether we resist it or remain curious, can make all the difference. Often, it’s not about solving everything; it’s about showing up with the right mindset.

I live by the mantra “Jo hota hai, achhe ke liye hota hai” (Whatever happens, happens for the good) in my personal and professional life. It’s about trusting that even in moments of uncertainty, there’s something to learn, something to carry forward.

And perhaps, that’s the real opportunity.

PS: This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

PS: This post is part of #BlogchatterBlogHop.

42 Replies to “Opportunity: A Chance or A Miss?”

  2. This was so inspiring Pinkii.You did not allow the previous negative experiences to cloud your judgement of the current situation and stayed calm and handled the issue to everyone’s satisfaction.A client gained and valuable life lesson learnt.

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  7. This was thought-provoking, Pinki. It took me into that reflective mood, making me me pause for a second and reflect: was that recent thing in my life an opportunity—or just… not realized? The way you handled that client also taught me an important lesson in patience.

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  8. There’s a gentle invitation here to question our internal timelines: Is hesitation a block or a breather? I appreciated the real-life examples and the emotional honesty in admitting what wasn’t seized, yet seeing how learning happens in the ‘missed’ too.

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  9. It’s not just about finding a silver lining but choosing how to show up when things get tough. It’s a reminder that sometimes the opportunity isn’t obvious, it’s in how we respond. Thanks for sharing such a real and relatable experience.

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  10. I completely agree that mindset makes all the difference in tough situations. Loved how you turned a difficult client call into an opportunity to build trust. This is such an inspiring reminder to stay calm and show up fully.

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  11. Couldn’t dive into the full post, but the title alone sparked something: sometimes an opportunity is a whisper and other times it’s a roar we miss. Would love to read how your reflections peel back that contrast, whether you detail the myths we tell ourselves about timing or the courage it takes to leap.

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  12. I usually prefer to let the moment pass rather than react. Staying calm is the key, but it isn’t easy always. Thanks for sharing your example; the world needs more positive stories.

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  16. I am completely with you on trying to look for ways to solve the issue. Your anecdote drove home the point. I somehow disagree with the last paragraph. Joh hota hai aache ke liye. Death of particularly those younger than you namely children , terrific sickness like cancer particularly to young patients, there is absolutely nothing aache about it. Yes to change the mindset to handle it despite the not-so-good happening is definitely a mindset that needs to be developed.

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    1. Yes, I agree with you. While I do believe there’s a divine plan behind every moment in life, I also acknowledge that there’s nothing inherently good about tragic incidents. The mantra I mentioned resonates more with situations that test our courage and confidence—moments where we’re placed in challenges because perhaps the divine believes we can endure and grow through them.
      I truly appreciate your kind words and your honest disagreement. It made me pause and reflect too. Thank you!

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  18. Listening, this is very important which we are forgetting day by day, Everyone is in rush to prove their point and we don’t bother what the other person is saying. And many of times, everyone is manking the same point!

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  20. Your post invited me to reconsider how I view missed opportunities—not as failures, but as invitations to pause, reflect, and grow. Thank you for reminding me that every moment holds potential.

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  21. Your story beautifully shows how mindset transforms challenges into growth. Listening with empathy and calm turned a tough moment into success—a powerful reminder that opportunity often hides within our response, not just the event.

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