Creating Opportunities: Ask Yourself, What Can I Do?

We all face moments when plans change, obstacles appear, or opportunities seem out of reach. In those moments, it's easy to ask “what's not working?”

I ask a different question: "What can I do?"

It's one of the leadership principles I use because it's simple, practical, and incredibly powerful. It's not asked with frustration—it's asked with possibility: “What can I do?”

The Question in Action

Recently, I was planning a trip to Chicago for the National Association of Women Lawyers Annual Conference, where, on July 23rd, I will be a panel speaker on Succession Planning. I saw more than travel; I saw an opportunity to connect and create value.

I asked myself, "Who else will be there? Which clients are nearby? What conversations could happen while I'm in town?" I now have an action-packed few days ahead: working with different clients, leading a leadership day for one of them, and attending a conference where Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the keynote. I’m totally excited for this trip!

That's how I approach business travel: I look for ways to create flow by intentionally connecting the pieces, whether I'm making my bi-annual West Coast loop to visit clients, seeing family, reconnecting with friends, or expanding my network.

How This Started

Not long ago, I received a message from a long-standing client.  Out of the blue, she shared that a helpful philosophy she lives by is the “What can I do?” mindset. Whenever there is a business challenge or a family dynamic issue, she asks herself, “What can I do?” and that helps her take action.

Reading that reminded me why this mindset has stayed with me all these years. It didn’t start during easy times. It started when I felt stuck - when obstacles seemed to be everywhere and I didn’t know my next move. Asking, "What can I do?" shifted my attention away from the roadblocks and onto the next action I could actually take.

Sometimes that's all we need. One conversation. One phone call. One introduction. One referral. One small step forward.

It’s Still How I Operate

That simple question still shapes how I explore opportunities today. Before an upcoming trip to Nashville, I learned that someone I'd known for years had recently relocated there. One text later, we were making plans to reconnect—and even talking about the possibility of hosting a program together for lawyers.

None of that happens if I’m not looking through an opportunity lens.

As leaders, we don't always control our circumstances. We do control how we respond. Opportunities rarely just appear. We create them.

Ask Yourself:

The next time you're facing uncertainty, instead of asking why something isn't happening, ask yourself: “What can I do?”

You may be surprised how one small question opens the door to your next opportunity.