Window of Opportunity – Proverbs in Practice

“Window of opportunity,” former procrastinators, is a way of thinking “do what needs doing when it needs doing.”  Sometimes it’s necessary to act at a very specific time or we lose out.  The opportunity to do the thing is gone and with it the benefits or enjoyments of doing it.  Sometimes we just miss out.  Other times we start a domino effect of negative things by not acting in a timely manner.  Not good either way.

“The sluggard does not plow in autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.”  Proverbs 20:4

This window of opportunity is the first thing we’ll look at in this simple statement.  Next week, we’ll look at a second point.

Note that though the sluggard has done nothing to gain benefit, he apparently still looks for benefit. Though he did not work during the necessary time, he expects to be okay.   He misses the connection between working in season and having a harvest.  So, he ends up with nothing.  His expectation is not based on reality. 

Windows of opportunity can be large, narrow, or in between.  What we perceive our window to be and what actually occurs can be very different.  With each passing day, the window is closing.  Or, a window we see as wide open may suddenly slam shut.  That’s why it’s best to get on the job immediately.  We may have two weeks to get in a report.  That sounds cushy, but in those two weeks there’s an additional deadline at work, Susie breaks her arm, allergies sap your energy.  The night before, you’re cramming to complete the work.  The season for work starts when the assignment is given.  Work in season, start right away, continue routinely until the job is done.  How grand to be done with margin!  I need this lesson.

Johnny has a narrow window here.  Dad tells him, “The grass must be cut before we leave for the beach. When I get home from work today, we can go if the yard is done.”  Dad returns and the yard is not done.  The whole family waits for Johnny to cut the grass, then they leave late, reaching the beach after midnight and missing the rendezvous with their friends.

This example is different, a wider, harder to discern opportunity.  Admiring a doll, I commented that I wanted to someday get a similar one for our daughter, but I wanted her to be old enough to appreciate and care for it.  The sales lady asked our daughter’s age and said, “Don’t miss your window of opportunity for her to enjoy it.”  Good advice.

When we do the job right away, we’re in good shape if the window of opportunity slams shut.

What window of opportunity are you counting on to stay open?  Have you acted?