By Jim Hunt for the News and Journal
This past week, I saw a video of a young boy in Australia who skipped school to attend a Bruce
Springsteen concert. He was an aspiring singer and had crafted a sign that read, “Missed school for this—can I play Growin’ Up with you?”
Springsteen spotted the sign, read it aloud, and asked, “Can you play guitar?” The boy eagerly
nodded.
“Come on up,” the Boss beckoned.
In an instant, the young fan found himself on stage, strumming alongside his idol. Shortly after
the concert, a video of the moment went viral. Five million views later, the boy was not only
famous—he might now be on the path to stardom.
Watching this, I thought about the series of events that led to his life-changing moment. He had
spent countless hours learning the guitar in his bedroom, perfecting his style. He had saved up
for the concert ticket. He had prepared the sign, positioned himself strategically in the crowd,
and was ready for just the right moment. And when it finally came, he had to quickly tune the
guitar that was handed to him and be ready when Springsteen introduced him.
A dozen small but critical steps—each one preparing him for his big break.
Of the millions who watched that video, I’m sure many thought, “Wow, what luck!” Some
might have even wished it had been them. But very few recognized the years of practice and
meticulous planning that made it possible for him to seize that opportunity.
As I reflect on my own life, I see the same pattern: rare opportunities don’t just appear—they
reveal themselves to those who are prepared.
As a young teacher, I had the desire to go into business. But leaving a steady job for the
uncertainty of entrepreneurship was daunting. I made a list—filling page after page on a yellow
legal pad—outlining everything I needed to do before I could open my business. When I finally
launched, some friends told me how lucky I was that everything worked out. I smiled and
thanked them, but only I knew the long nights, missed vacations, and hard work that had made
me “lucky.”
I carried that same mindset into politics. I lost my first four elections—failures that could have
easily discouraged me. But I treated those losses as lessons. Each campaign taught me something
new, and when I finally won, I dove into the job with the same determination.
I quietly observed my fellow council members, read every agenda, and volunteered for meetings
and conferences where I could learn from more experienced leaders. I wanted to be ready when
the next opportunity arose.
I’d love to say I never made mistakes, but that wouldn’t be true. There were plenty of times I
found myself in situations I hadn’t planned for. But my mantra—be ready—rarely failed me.
I encourage you to adopt the same philosophy. Whether you dream of standing on a stage,
starting a business, or stepping into a leadership role, preparation is the key. You never know
when your moment will come—but if you’re ready, it might just change your life.