Can You Make Your Own Luck?
Why Luck Isn't Random, and How You Can Control It
"You're so lucky!"
We’ve all heard it, and maybe even said it. But is luck just about rolling the dice and hoping for the best? Or is there more to it?
I’m excited about this post because it’s part of a “Writing Duet” with the amazing
! It all started when Moon left a comment on one of my notes about luck. That sparked an idea, Moon has a habit of inspiring me, and we decided to explore the topic together, well, sort of. A “Complimentary Collaboration” perhaps?Instead of co-writing a single post, we’ve each written our own take on luck to see how our ideas align or differ, a “Parallel Perspective”. Once you’ve read my thoughts, hop over to Moon’s newsletter, Dare to Fail, to see her unique approach.
As I write this, I have no clue how she’s tackled the topic, which makes it even more exciting. So, if my take gets a bit much, don’t forget to skip to the end for a link to Moon’s post. You won’t want to miss it!
If you are here after reading Moon’s post, welcome, it’s fantastic to have you here and I hope you enjoy your stay.
Back to my post…
If I told you that by the end of this article you will know how to make your own luck, would you believe me?
Let's get interactive, if you believe you can, click yes, if you think I'm full of crap, click no. Be honest, I want to see if you have changed your mind by the end.
Did you click the poll? Don't sit on the fence.
A Sofa Saga
I've been decorating the living room over the past couple of days. Between the plastering and sanding me and my partner discussed how maybe we should replace a tired old couch with a split in the leather. But new sofas are pricey, and even with the January sales still on, we shelved the idea. After both our cars died within a month of each other money’s tight right now, maybe next year.
Then, fate, or Facebook, stepped in. My partner, scrolling casually on our weary old sofa, spotted an ad for a La-Z-Boy recliner. The couch looked immaculate, would match our living room (when painted), and had an electric recliner feature I’d secretly longed for since childhood. The best part? It was free.
We were sceptical. Surely, someone had already claimed it (or it had an unexplained stain on it). But no, no comments, no takers. It had been posted only six minutes earlier. We messaged the seller immediately.
Serendipity
We went to look at the couch and it turned out, it was perfect: the dimensions were right, it was functionality intact, no weird stains or smells and only a year old. The catch? There wasn’t one. The owner, Lucas, was moving to a smaller space and had no time to sell it. We hit it off, he was six months into his ADHD diagnosis, a step ahead of me, and an all round nice guy who was happy to help us out.
With a borrowed van and some muscle, the La-Z-Boy found its new home. Testing it out that first evening, fully reclined, my partner said: "Finally a bit of good luck!"
The honeymoon was short-lived. Minutes after getting it into position and revelling in our freebie, reclined to the max, the power went out, in the darkness we couldn't even sit up straight. We laughed at the cosmic irony, just our luck right? But it left me pondering, what is luck anyway?
Decoding Luck
Luck is a blend of randomness and opportunity and I think it can be categorised into two types:
Blind Luck: Pure chance. Like finding a £20 note on the pavement or having your car wheel fall off mid-drive (yes, that happened to me recently and it wasn't even the car that died, it was the new one!)
Strategic Luck: This is the type of luck I want to concentrate on today. If I mention luck from here on out, this is the type I mean.
I believe you can make your own luck and that it can be boiled down into an equation:
Luck = (Preparation + Effort + Risk) × Opportunity
Let’s break it down:
The Four Ingredients of Luck
Preparation: The Bedrock of Luck
Preparation is the bedrock of creating your own luck. It’s about being ready, not just being prepared in the broadest sense but honing specific skills, acquiring relevant knowledge, and maintaining a keen sense of awareness to act decisively when opportunities arise.
What is Preparation?
At its core, preparation involves equipping yourself to meet future opportunities with confidence and competence. While it doesn’t guarantee success, preparation dramatically improves your ability to seize the right moment when it comes. It's all the work you do behind the scenes to set you up for success.
Breaking Down the Formula (even more):
Preparation = Skills + Knowledge + Awareness
Skills - Skills are the tangible tools in your arsenal. These are the practical abilities you cultivate over time, writing, coding, public speaking, or even driving.
Knowledge - Knowledge is the understanding and information you acquire about your chosen field, industry, or interest. This could include trends, processes, or theoretical insights.
Awareness - Awareness is the often overlooked element of preparation. It’s about staying tuned in to your surroundings, recognising opportunities, and knowing when to act. If you live your life with blinkers on, you'll never spot an opportunity to be lucky.
Why Preparation is Essential
Opportunities rarely arrive wrapped in a bow with a sign saying "Your Big Break!" More often, they are subtle, fleeting, and require immediate action. Without preparation, you may not even recognise an opportunity when it’s in front of you, let alone have the tools to capitalise on it. The scouts got their motto right: "Be Prepared".
Preparation in Action
Many "overnight successes" are anything but. Behind every breakthrough moment lies years of preparation. For example, Ed Sheeran, often seen as an instant hit, was a regular busker and attended hundreds of open mike nights long before he topped the charts globally. He seemed to burst onto the scene and has stayed there ever since, but people don't see the years of graft he put in to get there. Ed got his big break because he was prepared when the opportunity arose.
How to Cultivate Preparation in Your Life
Be Proactive - Identify the skills you need and start working on them today. Enrol in courses, practice daily, and seek mentorship to refine your abilities.
Stay Curious - Continuously expand your knowledge. Read widely, follow industry leaders, and stay updated on the latest trends. Curiosity will keep you ahead of the curve. (Of course I would say that wouldn't I.)
Develop Situational Awareness - Train yourself to notice opportunities by networking, attending events, or simply staying active in communities related to your interests. Pay attention to the small details, they can often lead to bigger things, if you're savvy enough to notice.
Effort: The Fuel for Fortune
If preparation lays the groundwork for success, effort is the relentless drive that keeps you moving forward. It’s not enough to just be prepared; you must actively apply yourself and work hard to convert potential into progress.
Effort bridges the gap between readiness and realisation, ensuring that when opportunity strikes, you’re ready to respond with unwavering determination.
What is Effort?
Effort is the continuous application of energy toward a goal. It requires taking deliberate action, staying the course despite the obstacles you find in the way, and showing up day after day. If preparation is about laying the foundation, effort involves building on that foundation, brick by brick.
Breaking Down the Formula:
Effort = Action + Persistence + Consistency
Action - Action is the tangible step of "doing" something. It’s moving from the ideas stage to implementation and refusing to let fear or doubt hold you back. For example: Stop planning to write and start writing!
Persistence - Persistence is about resilience and grit. Persistence is endurance in the face of resistance. It’s the ability to keep going, even when progress feels slow or challenges seem insurmountable.
Consistency - Consistency is the commitment to showing up regularly. Small, repeated actions compound over time, creating results that a single burst of energy never could.
Why Effort Matters
Effort is what transforms potential into achievement. Many people are prepared but fall short because they don’t take consistent action. Others start strong but give up when faced with difficulties. True effort lies in the balance: starting, persisting, and staying consistent until the goal is achieved.
Effort in Action
Simone Biles didn’t become the most decorated gymnast in history by just dreaming about it. Her journey required consistent effort, gruelling practice sessions, relentless physical conditioning, and mental focus, to reach the pinnacle of her sport.
How to Cultivate Effort in Your Life
Take the First Step - The hardest part is starting. Overcome inertia by breaking tasks into manageable chunks and taking the smallest possible action to build momentum.
Adopt a Growth Mindset - Recognise that setbacks are not failures but stepping stones to success. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. learn from mistakes.
Create Habits - Consistency thrives on habit. Schedule time daily or weekly for activities that move you closer to your goal, whether it’s writing, practising, or learning.
Celebrate Small Wins - Effort can feel daunting, but recognising and celebrating your progress, no matter how small, keeps you motivated to push forward.
Surround Yourself with Support - Effort is easier when you’re inspired by like-minded individuals. Join communities, find mentors, or lean on friends to keep your energy high. Substack is an amazing place to find cheerleaders. I'm surprised every day at the amazing people I meet on this platform.
Risk: The Leap That Creates Opportunities
Risk is the daring leap that propels you into the unknown. Risk is about stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing uncertainty, and having that "Dare to Fail" mindset. It’s a crucial ingredient in creating your own luck because without risk, you limit the scope of opportunities that come your way.
What is Risk?
Risk involves making decisions or taking actions that carry the possibility of failure or loss, outweighed by the potential for reward. It’s not recklessness, it's a calculated gamble, choosing to act even when the outcome is uncertain, knowing that growth often lies just beyond the edge of safety and certainty.
Breaking Down the Formula:
Risk = Courage + Vulnerability
Courage - Courage is the willingness to confront fear or uncertainty. It’s the inner strength that pushes you to act, even when you’re unsure of the outcome.
Vulnerability - Vulnerability is the openness to potential faliure, rejection, or criticism. It’s about letting go of the need for certainty and embracing the possibility of imperfection. Putting yourself out there, holding nothing back can be one of the most vulnerable things you can do, it's also one of the most freeing. Open yourself up and you'll find connection, feedback and maybe even success.
Why Risk Matters
Risk is the bridge between effort and opportunity. While preparation can get you ready, it’s the willingness to take risks that often creates the breakthrough moments. Every great success story includes moments of risk, a decision to try something new, pivot, or invest in an uncertain outcome.
Risk in Action
Elon Musk could have taken his Paypal fortune and lived out his days in luxury but he wasn't finished, Musk’s story is a masterclass in audacious risk taking. He gambled all of his money in Tesla, SpaceX as well as his reputation and future, proving that massive risks can lead to ground breaking success. He revolutionised those industries and he still isn't done. Not everyone likes Elon, but nobody can argue that he's a risk taker and it seems to have worked out for him overall.
How to Cultivate Risk-Taking in Your Life
Start Small - Begin by taking manageable risks. Whether it’s sharing an idea in a meeting or trying a new skill, small risks build the confidence to tackle bigger ones.
Reframe Failure - Shift your mindset to view failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. Each risk, whether successful or not, provides valuable insights for the next attempt.
Embrace Discomfort - Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Actively seek situations that challenge you, even if they make you uneasy.
Prepare for Uncertainty - While risk involves uncertainty, preparation can mitigate unnecessary downsides. Research, plan, and anticipate challenges to take calculated, informed risks.
Visualise the Reward - Focus on the potential positive outcomes of a risk, not just the negatives. Visualising success can help you overcome hesitation and take bold action.
Opportunity: The Gateway to Success
Opportunity is the external factor in the luck equation, the situations, events, or circumstances that present themselves unexpectedly or as a result of your actions. While opportunities are often seen as random, recognising and seizing them requires readiness, awareness, and a dash of daring. Opportunity is where preparation, effort, and risk meet the serendipity of the world around us. Opportunity is the force multiplier.
What is Opportunity?
Opportunity refers to external circumstances that align in your favour, offering a chance to achieve a goal, solve a problem, or advance in life. Opportunities may come in the form of chance meetings, sudden changes, free sofas or unanticipated events, but they require you to notice and act on them.
Breaking Down the Formula:
Opportunity = Timing + Chance
Timing - Timing is the alignment of events that make an opportunity viable. It’s being in the right place at the right time, whether intentionally or by chance…
Chance - Chance refers to the unpredictable nature of opportunity, the elements you can’t plan for but must remain open to.
Why Opportunity Matters
Opportunity is the catalyst that propels preparation, effort, and risk into tangible results. You can prepare all you want, but without an opportunity to apply that preparation, it’s like building a racing car but having no track to drive it on. It's like collecting all of the 1992 WWF stickers but not having the sticker album to stick them in. (Just me then?) Recognising opportunities requires awareness, and acting on them demands courage.
Opportunity in Action
Jeff Bezos saw the rapid growth of the internet in the 1990s as an opportunity to revolutionise retail. His decision to launch Amazon wasn’t just about preparation or risk, it was about recognising and leveraging a specific moment in technological history. Would Amazon be what it is today if it wasn't started exactly when it was?
How to Cultivate Opportunities in Your Life
Stay Curious and Engaged - Opportunities often arise when you’re active in your field or community. Attend events, join discussions, and explore interests outside your immediate comfort zone.
Be Open to Possibilities - Avoid rigid plans or stay flexible. Sometimes the best opportunities are unexpected and don’t fit neatly into your original goals.
Create Your Own Opportunities - Don’t just wait for chance to strike. Proactively seek out situations that could lead to something new, whether it’s starting a conversation, pitching an idea, or applying for that dream role.
Develop Awareness - Cultivate mindfulness and an eye for detail. Many opportunities are subtle and require you to notice what others overlook.
Position Yourself Strategically - Put yourself in environments where opportunities are likely to arise. Stick your head above the parapet, volunteer in areas related to your goals.
Ask for what you want - Sometimes, just asking for what you want is enough, we have a saying “Shy kids get no sweets”, meaning the kids who ask, will sometimes get what they want. With that in mind…
Is It Really Just a Formula?
So there you have it, the formula for luck.
Luck = (Preparation + Effort + Risk) x Opportunity
Some argue luck is mystical. Others, like me, see it as a product of stacking the odds in your favour. The more you try, the luckier you’ll seem to outsiders. But failure plays an integral role too, it builds your preparation, making success more likely the next time around. You might not be lucky everytime, but to win the lottery, you first have to buy a ticket.
Take my La-Z-Boy adventure. Was it luck that the post appeared on Facebook while we debated upgrading? Or was it the result of being open to opportunity and being ready to act when it came? I deliberated on if I should use that example to open this post. It doesn't fit the formula, but it happened exactly as I wrote it and so it was one of the catalysts for me writing this post.
Your Turn: Can You Make Your Own Luck?
Luck isn’t as random as it seems. You can tip the scales in your favour by preparing, persisting, taking risks, and being attuned to opportunities. What do you think? Can you make your own luck?
If you answered the poll at the beginning of the post, have you changed your mind? Do you feel the same? I'd love to know.
And if you still feel you are incapable of making your own luck, please tell me why in the comments.
If you're feeling lucky, I'd love to hear about a time when you made your own luck.
And now the moment I’ve been waiting for, and maybe you scrolled down to find, Moon’s post on luck:
If you have read both posts, I’d love to know what you think of each of them.
This reminds me of the quote: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" - Seneca
I love how you included effort and risk in your equation too 💟
I think risk is one of the most important elements here because you can only feel like you've been "lucky" if you took some sort of risk and stepped into the unknown. If the outcome were certain, it wouldn't really feel like "luck" because you already expected it to happen.
Personally though, the word "faith" resonates with me more than 'luck' because it adds an element of 'trust' in myself and God. I rarely feel like I'm "unlucky" because even in the not-so-good times, I have faith that I can get through it and I'm able to find reasons to be grateful despite the challenges I'm facing 😊
I am in the embracing discomfort stage. I appreciate this wisdom and am in process of making my own luck with writing my book. I'm intensely curious about what is on the other side of this monumental task! Love, Virg.