Most people believe after the fact.
They needed to see Blockbuster collapse before they believed in Netflix.
They needed to see TikTok dominate before they cared about short-form video.
They needed to see Patreon thrive before they believed fans would pay creators directly.
By the time something is obvious, it’s already crowded.
If you only follow what’s proven,
you’ll always be following.
How to Train Your Opportunity Radar
You don’t need a crystal ball.
You need new instincts.
- Look where others aren’t.
If everyone’s rushing to the same trend, the real opening is somewhere else. - Listen to the edges.
Early adopters, nerds, fringe creators—they’re not noise. They’re signals. - Spot frustration.
What’s broken? What’s annoying people? Innovation lives where complaints pile up. - Trust weak signals.
If you wait for mainstream proof, you’re already late. Pay attention to what’s quietly repeating itself.
Paddle Early
By the time a wave crests, it’s too late to catch it.
The best surfers don’t chase the waves they can see.
They paddle early—before anyone else moves.
Opportunity works the same way.
You move when the water shifts, not when the crowd starts shouting.
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