3 strategies to engineer your own luck

Luck is often seen as a whimsical, uncontrollable force.

And it's true to some extent.

Luck can be random and unpredictable.

However, there's another side to luck, one that you can influence.

Consider this:

Luck that leads to success can be divided into two key factors:

• Your initial position of success, which is random and out of your control.

• What you do with that position, which depends on your own choices and actions, and is much more within your control.

James Clear puts it perfectly: "You can only control the slope of your success, not your initial position."

The quote captures the essence of engineered luck.

By making intentional choices and taking specific actions, you can create more opportunities for luck to favour you.

In today's issue, we’ll explore three powerful strategies to help you steer the course of your success and invite more luck into your life.

Get ready to take control of your journey and create your own luck!

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Before we begin: Here’s what you might have missed in the past few weeks…

• In issue #45 of The Productivist, I shared top 3 strategies to optimize your inbox management. Read it here.

• In issue #44, you discovered how to create your ideal pace in life. Check it out here.

• In issue #43, you learned how to learn. Spaced repetition is key, so go over it one more time here.

Which one was your favourite? Just hit reply and let me know! 🫶

Big idea #1: Get into motion

Have you ever noticed how the busiest people often seem the luckiest?

That's no coincidence.

One of the fundamental truths about luck is that it's tied to action.

The more you put yourself out there, the more chances you have for something lucky to happen.

Seems intuitive, but if you need more convincing:

A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that "serial entrepreneurs" – those who have founded multiple companies – are more successful than those who have only started one.

(Don’t use this one against me in my argument opposing multitasking! 🥲)

Bottom line:

The more attempts you make, the higher your likelihood of hitting the jackpot.

After all, you are increasing your surface area of luck.

This applies across various fields:

• Creatives know that producing more work increases the chances of creating something outstanding.

• Salespeople understand that more pitches lead to more sales.

• Founders secure more funding the more investors they talk to.

In essence, luck is the dividend of your effort and action.

So, don't wait for the perfect moment – create it by continuously showing up and putting in the work.

Big idea #2: Engineer your 'who' luck

Another way to approach luck is to separate these two:

• "what luck" – the serendipitous events that are harder to control

• "who luck" – the opportunities that arise from meeting new people

(h/t Jim Collins, "Great by Choice" )

Engineering "who luck" is simpler than you might think.

The more people you meet → the more chances you have to form genuine connections → the more opportunities you'll encounter.

Networking is not just a numbers game. It's about creating authentic relationships.

Consider the "strength of weak ties" theory by sociologist Mark Granovetter, which posits that acquaintances, rather than close friends, are often the source of new opportunities because they bridge different social circles.

By expanding your network, you're essentially planting more seeds of luck.

• Schedule more encounters.

• Attend diverse events.

• Be genuinely interested in others.

The more you connect, the luckier you'll get.

Big idea #3: Stop ignoring your luck

Saved the best for last. 🙏

What’s the first step to becoming luckier?

To recognize the luck already present in your life.

Cognitive psychologist Richard Wiseman's research on luck found that people who consider themselves lucky are more likely to notice and seize opportunities.

In one of his studies, participants were asked to walk to a room for an experiment. On the way, a £5 note was planted on the ground.

Here’s what they found:

• Those who identified themselves as lucky were far more likely to notice the money.

• Conversely, those who considered themselves unlucky often walked right past it.

This demonstrates the importance of being in the right state of mind to notice luck when it happens.

And guess what?

Just like most things in life, it’s a skill that can be honed.

Here’s how I would go about it:

1. Start by reflecting on your past week or month and identify at least five lucky occurrences.

2. Next level would be to make it a daily practice to ask yourself:

• "What lucky thing(s) happened to me today?"
  

By doing so, you'll train yourself:

• to identify as lucky (and per previously mentioned study, it helps!)

• to spot opportunities (the first step to taking advantage of them)

• to lower self-sabotage by develop a more positive outlook

This shift in perception can turn you into a magnet for luck.

The Productivist Challenge: A week full of luck

For the next 7 days, answer this question at the end of every day:

"What lucky thing happened to me today?"

If nothing obvious comes to mind, think about things that are out of your control (even though you’ve put in the effort) that worked out in your favour, however big or small:

• "I ran into an old colleague at a conference, and they introduced me to a potential client."

• "A friend recommended a book that sparked a breakthrough idea for my current project."

• "Dinner guests brought a matcha-flavored dessert, and I love matcha!"

Write down at least one thing every day, but don’t be limited to just one.

This practice will:

• Help you recognize and appreciate the small bits of luck that happen every day

• Encourage you to stay in motion and keep connecting with others.

The Productivist Question

Imagine you have the power to change one unlucky event in your past.

Which event would you choose, and how do you think altering it would change your present life?

Luck isn't just a matter of chance – it's a skill you can cultivate. So, start today, and watch how the universe conspires to bring you success.

Wish you a lucky week ahead,

Valeriya

PS: Should it be considered luck when you come across a valuable insight? Share your thoughts by hitting reply or DMing me on LinkedIn!

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