Getting Lucky
Just finished reading two blog posts and one seemingly answered the other. Normally I wouldn’t blog about it, but it tied into my getting lucky this morning. Some good cosmic juju is at play here so I have to acknowledge it.
The first post was Seth Godin’s latest on our willingness to be lucky. The second is from Dr. Skippy on appreciation and creation.
Four Leaf Clover
Godin points out that plotting a course that minimizes risk is easy, but wonders whether we can plan to maximize luck. Dr. Skippy indirectly answers Godin’s question with a brilliant post on the value of appreciation and how it opens doors to create, build and grow. Definitely worth the read as it relates to leading teams and leading your life.
Approaching new situations with an open mind and a willingness to first see the possibilities is key to creating our own luck*. Shove aside skepticism and focus outward. It’s not about proving yourself. When you meet someone new and they can only talk about themselves do you want to connect them to anyone? Would you want to work with them to help them find solutions to the problems with which they grapple?
While totally lacking in science I’d be willing to bet that people who first see possibilities and are open to new experiences, people and ideas make far more luck for themselves.
Case in point…
I got lucky this morning. A couple times a month a random collection of folks get together to talk about what’s happening in the world of startups and tech. Today was my second time attending. While mingling afterward I literally bumped into someone who, as it turns out, is working on developing solutions to the same problem I’m trying to solve. We both seemed open minded to the other’s approach and, after a few minutes, thought that the other may have a lot to offer. We then agreed to get back together and see if and how we can help each other.
It may work out or it may not. But it never would have had a chance if we both hadn’t put ourselves in a ‘new’ environment, receptively listened to the other and saw the possibilities of what could be.
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*Continue to be skeptical of emails claiming you’ve won a foreign country’s lottery.
Photo by Merlijn Hoek
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