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Now onward to opportunities.

We often assume opportunities are scarce—that they come only through luck, timing, or connections. But the truth is, they’re everywhere. Most people just don’t see them.

Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer refers to this as “mindlessness.” It’s what happens when we move through our days on autopilot—doing what we’ve always done, thinking what we’ve always thought, noticing only what confirms what we already know.

When you slow down and start paying attention, the world shifts. You start catching the small details that spark new ideas, noticing the people who could help you move forward, and seeing where you can create value others have missed.

Years ago, Langer ran a study that illustrates this perfectly. She told hotel housekeepers that their daily cleaning counted as exercise. They didn’t change a thing—same tasks, same hours. Yet four weeks later, they had lost weight and lowered their blood pressure. The difference wasn’t what they did. It was how aware they were while doing it.

The same thing happens when you start noticing opportunities. You don’t have to add more hours or effort. You just need to see it differently.

Here are three ways to notice more opportunities this week: 

1. Catch one new detail each day.
At work, look for a small detail that could elevate performance. Such as a moment where engagement could be stronger, a process that could be smoother, or a person who’s ready for more responsibility. Leaders who notice more, grow more.

At home, pay closer attention to your child, spouse, partner, family member, or roommate. You may notice something subtle, such as a mood, a look, or a small moment, that gives you the chance to connect or support them in a more meaningful way. 

2. Question what you assume.
Opportunities often hide behind our routines. Ask, “What if there’s another way to do this?” or “What if I’m missing something here?” Curiosity is the bridge to fresh options.

3. Pause before you pass by.
That idea, that person, that moment you’re tempted to dismiss—pause for two seconds and give it a second look. Often, what feels ordinary is just undiscovered potential.

When you start looking through a wider lens, you notice more, connect more, and create more.

What if this week, you noticed one new opportunity each day?

Doug
You’re one action away. Starting today.