September 14, 2025

Preparing For Bad (And Good) Luck

How can we improve our relationship with luck?

Life brings us unexpected events – some we call good luck, others bad. While chance is always there, it is our mindset and work-ethic that determine how these unpredictable moments affect us.

What if we practiced ways of working -- and living -- that help us handle uncertainty more effectively?

Consider these perspective shifts (that we have covered previously):

• Collaboration, not just Competition: When we compete, individual success often feels very dependent on personal luck. Collaborating creates a support system and opens more shared opportunities, making us less reliant on solo lucky breaks.

• Direction and Habits, not just Fixed Goals: Rigid goals can be easily upset by bad luck. Focusing on a general direction and strong daily habits helps us adapt and keep moving forward, no matter what luck brings.

• Preparedness, not just Elaborate Plans: Trying to plan for every possibility is mostly futile. Consistent preparedness – building our skills, knowledge, and connections – makes us more ready to embrace good fortune or cope with unexpected challenges with greater resilience.

• Creating More Options: When we have a limited number of choices, one unlucky event can be damaging. Building more options in our work and life -- like developing diverse skills and exploring multiple paths -- gives us more ways to adapt and thrive when the unexpected happens. 

These aren't ways to control luck, but they can help us build a more resilient and proactive relationship with the inescapable unpredictability of life. 

What's one small step you could take today to change the way you look at good or bad luck?

Best of luck,
/rajesh