The window of opportunity is a fickle thing. It doesn’t care about your desires or perceived entitlements. It scoffs at pretense, scorns laziness, and abhors disrespect. Arrogance? It won’t even bat an eye.

Aggression and anger are met with a firm slam shut. Forcing it open is a futile exercise, exhausting and yielding little reward. And be warned: even if it does open, a hint of ungratefulness or the delusion of self-sufficiency will cause it to slam shut again.

But there’s a way to keep it open. Nurture it. Speak to it in the only language it understands, and it may stay open for a long time.

A focused mind is its language. Hard work and toil are its music. It embraces sacrifice for a cause, and forging on despite loss grabs its attention. Definiteness of purpose? That’s a melody it can’t resist. But most of all, it bows its head to selfless behavior.

Do these things, and the window will gladly open, knowing you are ready for that inevitable moment when timing and opportunity align.