“You’ve gotta ask yourself a question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya?” ~ Clint Eastwood’s line from Dirty Harry
Luck is something that happens by chance to produce positive or negative results: good luck or bad luck. But luck doesn’t happen in a vacuum to produce results. Good luck, for example, is usually seen as a combination of preparation and opportunity. The best of luck alone won’t guarantee success in your business. But luck can be a factor to consider. What can luck do for you and can you create your own luck?
Luck creates opportunities
There’s an old expression that when opportunity knocks at your door, answer it. So, what it means is that luck creates opportunities that you can take advantage of…if you recognize the chance. Fortuitous events include:
- Spotting a trend
- Entering the marketplace at the right time
- Meeting the right partner or investor
- Hiring that special employee
Bill Gates was fortunate to have attended one of the few schools with a computer terminal in the 1960s, and the rest is history.
5 great quotes about luck creating opportunities:
“Luck affects everything; let your hook always be cast.” Ovid.
“Those who have succeeded at anything and don’t mention luck are kidding themselves.” Larry King
“Luck? Luck is hard work—and realizing what is opportunity and what isn’t.” Lucille Ball
“Luck is the residue of design.” John Milton
“Ability is of little account without opportunity.” Napolean Bonaparte
Creating your own luck
Don’t sit around waiting for that knock on the door; make your own luck. Here are some ideas:
- Meet more people. The more you get out and meet people, the more connections you can make. You can do this through networking opportunities, volunteering in local organizations and events, and attending business functions (e.g., trade shows; conventions for professional/trade associations). For example, Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) had received 27 rejections for his first book, but it was a chance meeting with an old schoolmate while walking on Madison Avenue in New York that led to his book getting published.
- Stay curious. Continue to explore new ideas for products, services, and processes.
- Continue to learn. Would you be able to recognize a new opportunity? Learning can expand your mind and help you spot new things…and avoid problems (bad luck). Steve Jobs randomly dropped into a calligraphy class after leaving college, and this influenced his decision to create beautiful typography for the Macintosh computer.
- Be visible. Let opportunities come to you by putting yourself out there. Social media, podcasts, and blogs are just a few ways that people can find you.
Some great quotes about creating your own luck:
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have it.” Thomas Jefferson
“Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get.” Ray Kroc
“Luck is not chance—It’s Toll—Fortune’s expensive smile Is earned.” Emily Dickinson
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Seneca
“Chance favors the prepared mind.” Louis Pasteur
“Luck is the residue of design.” John Milton
Lessons about luck from successful people
What do successful people do to become luckier in life? According to one article by a leadership expert, there are 5 factors (I’m paraphrasing):
- Have strong values. This helps you recognize opportunities that align with you.
- Take control of your story. This enables you to make more positive changes.
- Be prepared for surprises. You never know what opportunity may arise. Two examples of unexpected results are Alexander Fleming noticing mold that led to the discovery of penicillin and Spenser Silver recognizing that the weak adhesive he created at 3M, which was thought to have no commercial value, could be used to bookmark his hymnal, and this became Post-it Notes.
- Don’t let mistakes define you. Assume you’ll make mistakes—everyone does—but don’t feel ashamed; learn from them.
- Be grateful and show it. Appreciate people (e.g., a simple thank you to an employee). Appreciate yourself; recognize your successes.
Final thought
When I think about luck I’ve enjoyed and what it’s meant to my business, I view it in terms of blessings:
- Winning the birth lottery (born in the U.S., great parents). Warren Buffet claimed he won the “ovarian lottery.”
- Having supportive people around me (spouse, children, friends, mentor). Just to be clear, supportive doesn’t necessarily mean helpful (chuckle), but I didn’t face resistance.
- Living through some interesting times (the computer, fax machine, and then the internet came along in time to support my new business).
- Meeting some amazing people (many of whom I’m still working with).
What luck, fortune, or blessings do you have in your life?
