Crafting Your Own Luck

Hi there! As May comes to a close, I’m thrilled to share that a very good friend of mine is visiting next week. I’m excited about the time we’ll spend together and the adventures we’ll have. Today, let’s dive into an intriguing topic: the concept of luck. But first, a quick inventory check as we wrap up May.

Weekly Inventory Check

With May ending, it’s the perfect time to tie up loose ends and reflect on your goals. Remember, prioritization is key. If you keep adding tasks without setting priorities, you’ll end up overwhelmed. Focus on what’s truly important and let go of the rest.

Crafting Your Own Luck

Luck: is it merely a mental construct? I recently encountered the idea that luck favors those who are extroverted, optimistic, and open to opportunities. The argument is that these traits lead to better outcomes, supported by research showing that people who adopt these behaviours often feel luckier and experience more success.

I resonate with this premise. Life indeed opens more doors for those who knock persistently. It’s a bit like the law of large numbers: the more you try, the more likely you are to succeed.

A story from my wife’s family illustrates this well. One individual, an entrepreneur, faced repeated failures and mounting debt. Then, the pandemic hit. For many, it was disastrous, but for him, it was an opportunity. His venture, selling masks, thrived, and he became highly successful. You could say he was lucky, but his relentless hustle played a crucial role.

This brings me to a nuanced view of luck. While luck can be a factor, it often intersects with persistent effort and resilience. Luck didn’t just fall into his lap; it was the result of continuous effort and seizing the right opportunity at the right time.

I believe in controlling what you can and not worrying about what you can’t, a perspective rooted in Stoicism. Focus on your ethics, drive, and integrity. Do your best, and if luck gives you an extra push, great. If not, keep going and let the law of large numbers play out.

Want More?

For more insights on the interplay between luck, effort, and success, check out these resources:

1. Learn how to scientifically create and seize opportunities with ‘Crafting Your Own Luck’ by Nick Richtsmeier on Medium.

2. Explore the concept that luck is a mental construct in Anand Damani’s insightful blog post.

3. Delve into how luck influences every aspect of life in Jay Sebastian’s thought-provoking article.

Reel of the Week

Check this out!

Start by taking a digital detox for a designated period, like a weekend or a week. During this time, limit or completely avoid using digital devices and social media platforms. Unsubscribe from irrelevant email lists, mute or unfollow accounts that don’t add value, and remove apps you seldom use.

Instagram post by @thisisvasl

The Weekly Vasl Podcast

Our episode on The fine line between Passion and Profit is out now. You can watch it below. This week, William and I were back with an exciting and thought-provoking discussion. This time, we dived into a topic that resonates with many of us: the delicate balance between enjoying our hobbies and turning them into a source of income. We all know that hobbies keep us engaged and happy, often providing a much-needed escape from our daily routines. The idea of capitalizing on these passions might seem brilliant at first— imagine doing what you love and getting paid for it! However, we realized that commodifying personal interests can come with its own set of challenges. Turning your hobby into a business means your once-relaxing pastime could become a source of stress and pressure, leaving you with little for personal enjoyment. Join us as we explore the nuanced reality of this topic, shedding light on an issue that is rarely discussed.

Thoughts to Leave You With

As we navigate our paths, let’s focus on what we can control—our actions, our resilience, and our integrity. Luck may play a part, but it’s our persistent efforts that truly pave the way to success. Embrace the journey, and let the chips fall where they may.

Thank you for joining me on this exploration. Until next time, keep pushing forward and creating your own luck!