How to discover big opportunities before it is too late

Few years ago a friend showed me the concept of BitCoin, I created an online wallet, he sent me some cents to experience the new thing, it was fun and crazy. Then I forgot about it.

Two years later, I read the name BitCoin somewhere, wanted to check if that game is still up; google it and boom a 2600$ price printed in bold letters.

I picked the phone and told my old friend about it, his response:

Damn! I missed a big opportunity!!

After reflecting on this, and talked to many people about it, I realized there is a pattern manifesting itself again and again. I will call it:

The TOO-LATE-or-BIG-HIT pattern:

The TOO-LATE

1- There is this new (insane/weird/challenging) thing that some (crazy) people are talking about.
2- We may give it a quick look, but quickly forget about or ignore it.
3- It shows it another time with some added credit.
4- And more people talks about it.
5- It become a thing!
6- Then It is too late to catch.

The BIG-HIT

2- You give it a chance: 'This may be interesting!'
3- You keep an eye on it.
4- Once you see/feel the opportunity you join the early adopters family.
5- Likely this process will change your life.

How to make this pattern work

Whenever you see something new, don't ignore it, but instead:

• Give your mind some time to grasp it. Even if it seems impossible.
• Try to understand what problem the technology is trying to solve, maybe a a problem in the future, so use imagination.
• Keep an eye on it and follow the improvements.
• Ask people who are into it.
• If it is hard to understand, then read about it now, and re-read later until it becomes clear.

BONUS

Ask this question:

• What things few people are talking about now that seem impossible or a crazy but if done could be a thing? (*Hint: Living on Mars)

And try to find some answers, you may ask others as well, or search on the internet.

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BitCoin may seem too late. But one thing is sure, Crypto currencies, the Blockchain tech, decentralized systems, these things will be the norm in the future, meaning new stuff better than the BitCoin will exist or exist already, and many of us are not seeing it's potential or are skeptic about it at the moment. So keep your eye on it!