This Crazy Little Thing Called Luck

luck

noun

1.

success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.

There’s a word that I have a problem with, and that word is luck. It’s not that I don’t believe in the idea of luck, I just feel that in today’s world it can often be overused as a way to limit what people are looking to achieve. Let’s look at a few examples.

1. Australian speed skater Steven Bradbury

Australia’s first ever gold medalist at a Winter Olympic games, how lucky he was. Wrong. Steven spent over 20 years and 4 Olympic Games training and competing, enduring setbacks and having successes. This result was based on skill, persistence and determination. Making it to an Olympic final, then managing to skilfully avoid disaster was an act of skill, not luck.

2.The discovery of Penicillin

Luck? I think more of a consequence of years of research and trial and error. Yes, leaving a lid off a Petri dish might have been as a result of chance; however science had come so far in its research that I’m sure the same result would have occurred one way or another.

3. Having a fulfilling career

How often do you hear the words, “You’re so lucky to do what you do!”? I understand that everyone has a different journey in life; however I very rarely suggest that this occurs from luck. Whether it’s through academia, hard work and grit, thoughts and inventions – I believe that you largely make your successes, luck doesn't play a part. Not happy with your job? Find somewhere new. Don’t feel you will get a role? Give it a go, you never know where it might take you. That person who has a ‘lucky’ career didn't win it in a raffle, I assure you!

4. Winning the lottery

Okay, so this is where luck plays a role. I do still point to the old expression, ‘You’ve got to be in it to win it’, suggesting that it isn't entirely luck however! This is an example of situations that are out of a person’s direct control. These situations, however, only make up a small part of our lives.

So in this busy world of ours, filled with much opportunity but also equally matched by increased competition and new challenges, I challenge you to not let yourself be controlled by the word. Luck does play a role, but taking the world by the horns will inevitably deliver you success through determination, skill and ability – not luck.

(Image: http://www.biggbossfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Make-Your-Own-Luck.jpg)