Opportunities do not land in your lap—they’re something you create, especially when life throws you curveballs.
Chris Grosser’s quote,
"Opportunities don’t happen. You create them,"
Has a deeper meaning for me after surviving two strokes and a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Creating opportunities wasn’t just about advancing my career or personal life—it was about reclaiming my future after it felt like everything had been taken from me.
Creating My Opportunities: Surviving Two Strokes and a TBI
Several years ago, my life was completely derailed.
I suffered two strokes and two traumatic brain injuries (TBI) within a short span. I went from being fully independent to struggling with basic tasks like speaking and walking. The future I had envisioned for myself felt impossibly out of reach.
Everything I’d worked for seemed to vanish in an instant.
At first, I waited for things to improve, assuming I would recover and return to my life with time. But as the weeks turned into months, I realized that recovery wouldn’t happen on its own.
Waiting for my body to heal fully wasn’t an option.
I had to create my recovery, just like I had created opportunities in the past. I had to build a new future, one small step at a time, with the abilities and tools I had at the moment.
One pivotal moment: I was in physical therapy, struggling to walk even short distances. Every step was painful, exhausting, and discouraging. But there was a choice: sit in that moment and focus on what I’d lost, or use what I could do to push forward.
I chose to push forward.
I treated every therapy session like a business opportunity: if I could improve by 1% each day, that was progress. It wasn’t the life I had before, but it was a new opportunity to rebuild and find strength in what I could control.
This experience fundamentally changed how I approach life and work.
Instead of waiting for the right moment, I started creating it.
In the following months, I decided to create new opportunities for myself, no matter how small the steps. Whether that meant relearning how to walk, using assistive technology to improve my communication, or retraining my brain to handle the challenges of everyday tasks, I refused to wait for life to hand me opportunities.
I had to build them with what I had right where I stood.
Why Creating Opportunities is Essential After Setbacks
When you’ve faced a life-altering event, it can feel like the world has stopped. The future you once imagined seems impossible, and waiting for things to get better can feel like your only option. But that’s the trap—waiting keeps you stuck.
You must actively create new opportunities to move forward, even when everything is against you.
Here’s why creating your own opportunities is so important, especially after major setbacks:
You Take Back Control.
After surviving the strokes and TBI, I realized I had lost control over so many aspects of my life. But by creating small opportunities for progress, I could take back some of that control.
Every small victory, every improvement in therapy, was a reminder that I wasn’t powerless—I was in charge of my recovery.
You Redefine Success.
Success looked different after my strokes.
Before, it was about career milestones and big wins.
Now, success was measured in inches, not miles. But the key was recognizing that success is still a success, no matter how small.
By creating opportunities to achieve these smaller goals, I was building a new foundation for my future.
Resilience Becomes Your Superpower.
Surviving two traumatic brain injuries and two strokes gave me a deeper understanding of resilience.
The ability to keep going creates opportunities even when the odds are stacked against you.
I learned that resilience isn’t about waiting for things to get easier—it’s about creating new paths when the old ones are blocked.
Opportunities Lead to Unexpected Success.
I eventually started building back more than I expected by taking small steps.
My recovery opened doors I hadn’t considered before—like speaking to others who had experienced similar setbacks and sharing my journey.
These weren’t the opportunities I had in mind before the strokes, but they were valuable in ways I hadn’t imagined.
How to Create Opportunities After Major Setbacks
The road ahead can feel overwhelming if you’ve faced a major setback in life—whether it’s health-related, professional, or personal. But creating opportunities isn’t about making huge leaps.
It’s about doing what you can with what you have right now.
Here’s how I created my own opportunities after my strokes and TBI, and how you can do the same:
1. Start Small, but Start
After my strokes, I couldn’t dive into big projects or take on the goals I had before. But I could start small.
I focused on what I could do in the moment, whether learning to stand for an extra minute or write a coherent sentence.
These small actions built momentum over time.
Don’t wait for the perfect conditions or the right circumstances.
Start with what you can control.
It could be as simple as making a phone call, researching a new skill, or even practicing self-care to improve your mental state.
Every small action counts.
2. Adapt to Your New Reality
My recovery wasn’t about returning to where I was but about creating a new reality. I had to accept that things were different now, which didn’t mean I couldn’t succeed.
It just meant I had to adapt.
Look at your current situation and adapt your goals to fit the new reality. If you can’t do things like you used to, find new ways.
Maybe you can’t run a marathon right now, but you can walk a mile.
Maybe your business isn’t thriving in one area, but there’s a new niche you can explore.
3. Seek Help, But Take the Lead
I had a team of therapists and doctors, but I realized early on that no one could push me forward except me.
I had to take the lead in my recovery. That meant asking for help but being proactive about my progress when needed.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, but remember that you are responsible for your own progress. Whether you seek mentorship, professional advice, or support from loved ones, take the initiative to drive your journey forward.
4. Embrace the Long Game
Recovery, like entrepreneurship, is a long game. There are no shortcuts, and progress often feels slow. But I learned to embrace the process.
Each small win added up, and eventually, I could do things I never thought I’d be able to do again.
Set long-term goals, but focus on the small steps to get there.
Be patient with yourself.
Whether recovering from a setback or building a business, progress takes time, but every step forward is a victory.
Create Your Opportunity This Week
Opportunities don’t happen by waiting. They happen by taking control, being proactive, and creating the future you want, no matter what’s in your way. I created opportunities for myself even when the odds seemed stacked against me, and you can, too.
What’s one opportunity you will create for yourself this week?
Share your goal in the comments, whether it’s making a phone call, pitching a new idea, or taking a small step in your personal development.
Let’s support each other in making things happen!
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