So often we only see things we expect. Is it possible that we can tune our eyes, ears and minds to look for the unexpected? For example how often have you walked down a street in a town you are visiting only to walk past someone you know really well but you are not expecting to see them in that setting.

If I mention the word Swan – you probably think of a large, often quite fierce, bird moving gracefully upon the water. What would happen if you saw a black swan instead – you’d probably be a bit startled.

If you are in business, or pursing a cause, you might want to begin to look for the unexpected as very often the unexpected is where opportunity lies.

Ask yourself what your competitors are doing that you might do better? What is the next challenge or opportunity? If supplements are going to get more difficult to supply to your customers then start asking how you might find an alternative delivery route?

Look in odd places for the unexpected.

I was thinking this morning what I’ve learnt from the Christmas break – so here goes.

• Fact – In Florida 24% of all mortgages are in default and 44% of mortgages are more than the homes are worth. What should I do with that stunning information?
• That the work we’ve been doing on almost every website has resulted in an improved Google Page Rank – some now as high as PR3.
• Tools – If you are operating in a niche then a very useful tool to monitor some of what’s going on around the world is a new tool by Google – It’s called Google Alerts -  http://www.google.co.uk/alerts?
• Ponder – That Global warming doesn’t mean everyone will get warmer – at the moment it’s between – 8C and – 2C in the UK and yet again the cold weather is exceeding all records

So that brings me back to an eternal question – two actually.

• How can I play my part in being responsible on this planet so that everyone gets a fair crack at life?
• Where are the opportunities in life that these changes will bring – how can we spot them? By the way many of these opportunities are not commercial but that doesn’t mean they are not worth pursuing.