Do you struggle to find opportunities to take the things you want to do in life further? Does it feel like other people get chances and you get overlooked? Are you still waiting to be picked, frustrated that other people (those who aren't as good as you) are given opportunities you long for?

The solution might be more simple than you realise. In this episode we get think about how to create more opportunities for yourself in a rather counter-intuitive way.

The Canvas Strategy

In the book, Ego is the Enemy, one of the stand out concepts that Ryan Holiday introduces is the “Canvas Strategy”. It's an idea that stems back to his first job as a Hollywood assistant when he was given the advice, "make other people look good" if you want to succeed.

He considered this decent yet fairly inadequate advice. He now believes he wouldn't have succeeded as he did if he had stuck to that approach. Instead, he decided that rather than trying to make people look good, he would help people actually be good.

He wanted to build space for people to be great at what they do. Not simply making them look better, but giving them what they need to actually BE better.

His advice instead became: "find canvases for other people to paint on".

A Counter-Intuitive Approach

This is a startling difference, and one we can learn a lot from in our daily lives. In many ways it can feel counter-productive, but Ryan insists that the way to create more opportunities and to succeed without being driven by ego is: give away ideas, share your networks, produce abundance, and give it away.

These are key concepts when it comes to being a gentle rebel. Let go of those ego-driven feelings that eye others with suspicion and as competition. Remove the instinct to hoard opportunities and stop others from receiving them. And instead, to be frivolous, and actively build canvasses for others to do what they do best in ways that they are unrestricted in their ability to do great things.

You Have Been Given Canvasses

Everyone has experiences of being given a canvas to paint on. Whether from a teacher, a parent, a member of your family, or a stranger who saw potential in you and wanted you to give it a go reaching it.

These experiences are ones in which the other person gives us the opportunity to shine, without any obvious desire for anything in return. They are people who we remember with fondness, and feel a deep bond towards.

People Who Give Others a Canvas on Which to Paint:

Make a great impression on others and the world

Create a solid reputation, are trusted, and have a powerful legacy

Naturally attract more opportunities

How Do You Build Canvasses?

Name Drop in Positive Ways

Invest in a Small Number of Communities

Share Insights and Resources

Be a Bridge Between People and Ideas

Make Suggestions and Offer Your Support

In this episode I expand on these methods of building canvasses. I talk about some of the joys and challenges involved with this stuff as introverts and highly sensitive gentle rebels.