What if I told you luck isn’t random? And that it’s maybe a probability problem, and the people you deem lucky aren’t actually lucky?
Maybe these people just happen to know something that you don’t. James H. Austin, an American neurologist and author, in his 1978 book Chase, Chance, & Creativity: The Lucky Art of Novelty, states that there are four types of luck, as explained below.
#1. Blind Luck
Winning the lottery, being born into a family with everything people yearn for or being born in a country with more opportunities; these are things that are out of your control, and this is what most people think of when they think of luck.
But remember, since you don’t choose either side of the coin, whether to be born into a rich or humble family or to win or lose the lottery, relying on blind luck is a trap. Looking to the past or the future for a lucky break breeds passivity. You must take action to break the cycle or somewhat influence it. This invites us to the second kind of chance.
#2. Luck from Motion
Think of putting yourself in positions where luck is more likely to find you. You say hello to strangers; maybe one of them could be your next client; attend that conference, and apply for the job you think you might not get. You move to a dense city filled with more opportunities: migrating from your village or town to Kampala, Kampala to Nairobi, or onward to New York, London, or Singapore. Most importantly, you say yes to new experiences and seize every opportunity that comes by. By taking these steps, you actively expand the surface area for luck to land.
Remember, the more places you go, people you meet, and experiences you try, the more surface area you create for unexpected luck to strike.
#3. Luck From Awareness
This hits hard! We live in a world where millions of students start school and graduate only to compete for the same careers. In such a crowded system, unique awareness becomes a powerful tool. Because when everyone is looking in the same direction, you have to ask: How do I see things differently?
Seven people can look at the same situation, yet only one or two will spot the hidden opportunity behind it. As the saying goes, chance favours the prepared mind, or in this case, the person actively looking for it.
To paint a clear picture, take SafeBoda co-founder Ricky Rapa Thomson, who was just another Kampala rider in 2014 until he chose to reimagine the Boda Boda industry instead of simply waiting around for customers. The same is true for the innovators behind the M-Pesa/Mobile money idea that has simplified financial transactions for millions.
#4. Luck from Uniqueness
This is how you turn the tables. You put yourself out there and become known for a specific expertise. By developing a unique skill set, you become the go-to person in your area, the graphic designer everyone hires for posters, the photographer called for every wedding, or the attorney everyone recommends. At this point, opportunity starts chasing you more than you do.
In the end, while most are waiting for luck to find them, have you ever wondered if luck is actually waiting to be found? Maybe I should’ve just called this “How to Create Your Own Luck”, lol.
