Access Granted: How to Let the Right People and Opportunities In
After choosing the right “location” for your personal and professional growth, the next step is determining access – how others, and you will gain entry to your life and gifts. Just as a business needs clear paths for customers to access it, we need to think about who and what we allow into our lives, and how accessible we are to others.
How will others access your new location—and you? Businesses need clear roads and pathways to ensure customers can reach them. Similarly, consider how people will access your new “location” in life. Are you approachable, or do you build walls that isolate you from the opportunities and relationships that could propel you forward? Being too closed off can limit your growth. Think about how you present yourself to others—are you creating space for meaningful connections?
Accessing your gifts: Are you making the most of your talents? Just like a business needs access to its resources to run smoothly, you need clear access to your own gifts and talents. What’s stopping you from fully stepping into your purpose? Are distractions, misplaced priorities, or self-doubt cluttering the way? Clearing your path—both mentally and emotionally—will help you better execute your talents. Ask yourself, “Am I making the most of what I have to offer, or am I letting roadblocks slow me down?”
“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”
– King Solomon
How will people access you? Think of yourself as an estate. When people approach, are they met with open arms, or do they face barriers? Sometimes we create unnecessary layers of protection, whether through emotional walls, trust issues, or even physical distance. While it’s important to protect ourselves, we should also make sure we aren’t keeping the right people out. Are you like a welcoming home or a fortress with too many guards?
Is access to you guarded or embraced? Imagine someone reaching the door of your home or business. What will they encounter? A hug, a handshake, or a security guard? While it’s natural to be selective about who we allow into our lives, being too guarded can prevent meaningful connections from forming. Ask yourself if your protective measures are creating an unhealthy barrier. Are you making it difficult for the right people to get close? Are you blocking opportunities for growth by being too cautious?
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
– King Solomon
Balancing Access: Protecting and Connecting. Managing access is a balancing act. You don’t want to be so guarded that you miss out on valuable relationships or opportunities, nor do you want to be so open that you’re overwhelmed or exploited. It’s essential to find a middle ground where you can protect your boundaries while still creating space for genuine connection.
The way you allow others—and yourself—access to your time, energy, and talents determines the success of your relationships and growth. When you think about access, remember that being too closed off can limit you, but being too open can dilute your focus. Striking a balance ensures that the right people and opportunities can enter your life, while the wrong ones are kept at bay.
“Good people take advice from their friends, but an evil person is easily led to do wrong.”
– King Solomon NCV
Conclusion: What Awaits at Your Door? Access is power. How you manage it—who you let in, and how you protect yourself—will shape your future. Are you allowing room for meaningful connections and opportunities to grow, or are you holding back behind walls of security?
Consider how you present yourself to the world. When people seek access to you, will they be greeted by warmth and openness or find themselves facing barriers? The way you handle access to your life and talents will determine how fully you can realize your potential.
Jerry
