Luck: factors not under our control

 

     Luck. "I make my own luck". "There is no such thing as luck". "Luck seems to always happen to other people".

     Luck is, in my opinion, the label of those factors not obviously under our control. Hitting a stop light, delaying our arrival, keeps us from being in a serious traffic situation. We need a carton of milk and, while at the store, we meet the person of our dreams. We are looking for a job, have prepared our "elevator speech", and find ourselves literally in an elevator with the head of a company for which we would like to work. Fill in with your own favorite anecdote.

     If luck is truly not under our control, there is a temptation towards nihilism. "Nothing I do matters." "It is all a matter of luck." "She/he has all the luck."

     But, notice that I said not obviously under our control. If we did not have our "elevator speech" prepared for that encounter then the lucky event would turn into an unlucky event. If, during our trip to the store, we focus solely on the milk and don't look at, or talk to, anyone else then the "person of your dreams" and you may pass each other and never have the opportunity to meet again.

     Events not under our control will always exist -- there will always be a factor of luck present. But preparation can reduce the significance of the factor of luck. Whether you call those factors "perspiration", "preparation", "hard work", "tenacity", "toil", or "cause and effect" -- the amount that luck, or events outside our control, affect the paths of our lives can be minimized.

     Some  areas of preparation are "obvious". If you want a better chance to pass a test, study, study, study. If you want to do well giving a speech, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

     Reducing the factor of luck in meeting people requires you to be present physically, mentally, and emotionally. That's easier for extroverts but introverts can still be true to themselves and learn how to be present for the times needed before retreating to recharge. But there can be multiple areas that need attention. You must be present -- but you also can benefit from being present in a more optimal environment. Your living room is not such a place.

     The best place will be somewhere your natural inclinations and abilities best shine -- where you can be the best you that is possible -- and a place that has people that will appreciate you and people you will appreciate. If you don't like to read, don't hang out in a bookstore or the library. If you don't like to drink, don't try meeting someone in a bar. If you don't like to exercise, don't expect to meet that person in a gym. Be places where you want to be. Other people, of like interest, will also be there and they will be glad to meet you.

     Preparation for possible outcomes in situations can help in multiple ways. Cars don't have flat tires nearly as often in current times but allowing extra time for traffic or mechanical problems is making allowance for factors out of control. If you visualize multiple audiences and multiple reactions when preparing for a speech, it is possible you will prepare for one of the outcomes that happen. But, even if something else happens (which is not unlikely), the preparation will allow you to be better able to adapt to the change in circumstances.  Preparation helps flexibility.

     We cannot eliminate the factor of luck but we can greatly reduce its potential impact.