Sometimes opportunities just fall into your inbox, and it can be really easy to ignore them and tell yourself you have more important things to be doing. This may be true; I have an exam and an essay due in next week, but there is always time to squeeze some extra stuff in if you know how to manage your time.

Yesterday I had an invitation to speak at an event, as part of a discussion on whether social networking is ruining journalism. I don’t really want to go into the subject matter here, although there’s obviously a good argument to be had.  I was just surprised that someone wanted to hear what I have to say.
I have the opinions, and I like to think I’m pretty engrained in what’s going on. I’ve written a lot about social media and journalism on Hacks, and I’m building a live blogging system with strong social media ties, so I can see why some of the things I have to say might be relevant and of value, but I’m used to reporting on what other people have said and quietly agreeing/disagreeing with them, and possibly muttering about how their views are outdated. This is a chance to have my own say, but I’ve not really done anything like it before.

Thinking I was too inexperienced, I resorted to asking Twitter whether I should take it:

@Frost_J DO IT. YOU KNOW MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU DO.

— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) May 25, 2012

@Frost_J Accept everything like that. You won’t ever regret being seen as an expert.

— Marc Thomas (@iammarcthomas) May 25, 2012

@Frost_J accept accept accept! and then plan, prepare and practice. Sounds like a great topic, when and where is it?

— Louisa K (@Afro_Blush) May 25, 2012

These are just a few of the replies I received, but everyone said I should take to opportunity. I’d echo the advice above if you get an opportunity you’re in two minds about following up on: be confident in your own knowledge, prepare, but most importantly – say “yes”.

Are you guilty of passing up good opportunities? What would it take to make you say “yes” to more stuff, even if you initially feel you’re not suited to a task? I now plan to start taking up more of the offers that drop into my inbox – it’s plain stupid to let chances to be involved in things like this pass you by, and I’m sure stepping out of my comfort zone will reap its own rewards.

Image courtesy of Alexandre Dulaunoy.