The Art of Seeing What Others Don't: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

he Storm’s Aftermath: A Scene of Chaos

Storm Eowyn left destruction in its wake. Roads were blocked. Trees lay in twisted piles. Gardens were buried under broken branches. The city felt heavy, like it was still holding its breath.

But amidst the wreckage, something stood out—a man sitting in a fishing chair by the roadside. A car, a trailer, and a simple hand-painted sign: LOGS FOR SALE.

I passed him day after day. Something about his quiet persistence made me curious. When we happened to stop at the same burger van, I had to ask.

George’s Story: A Lesson in Resourcefulness

“You’re the guy selling logs, right?” I said.

He grinned. “Aye.”

Then he told me his story. And it hit me harder than I expected.

While everyone else saw destruction, George saw an opportunity. He went door to door, offering to clear fallen trees. Homeowners, overwhelmed by the mess, were happy to pay him to take them away.

But he didn’t just get rid of them. He chopped them into firewood and sold them by the roadside.

He got paid twice:

• Once to remove the trees.

• Again to sell the wood.

It was so simple. So effective. And yet, most people wouldn’t have thought to do it.

As he spoke, I felt a mix of admiration and self-reflection. Here was a man who took immediate action while others hesitated. No excuses. No waiting. Just a clear decision to do something useful.

Why Most People Miss These Opportunities

George didn’t wait for permission. He didn’t ask if it was a good idea. He just acted. That’s what makes the difference.

• Opportunity is everywhere. Most people saw fallen trees. George saw something valuable.

• Action beats waiting. He didn’t wait for the perfect plan. He started and figured it out as he went.

• Resilience matters. Instead of focusing on the loss, he focused on what could be done.

• Circumstances don’t define you. The storm was out of his control. His response wasn’t.

I left that conversation thinking about all the times I had hesitated instead of acted. How often had I overcomplicated things? How many opportunities had I let slip away because I was waiting for the “right moment” that never came?

What About You?

How do you respond to setbacks? Do you wait for things to get better, or do you create your own solutions?

• Have you ever ignored an opportunity because it didn’t look like one?

• What skills do you have that you’re not using to their full potential?

• What’s stopping you from taking action?

These questions aren’t always easy to answer. But taking the time to reflect on them can change everything. Recognising opportunity takes practice. Acting on it takes courage. Both can be learned.

The Power of Perspective

George’s story isn’t just about firewood. It’s about mindset. About seeing possibilities where others see problems.

Next time you’re faced with a setback, don’t just accept it. Ask yourself—what’s the opportunity here? And then, most importantly, act on it.