you can actively create optimal conditions for lucky things to happen to you
Jason Roberts coined the term ”Luck Surface Area”, and it was expanded by Sean Murphy and popularized by Patrick McKenzie.
Create a luck “catchment area”: position yourself in a way that captures more of it
Jason’s suggests do more things, and tell more people about it. Embodies an active attitude of orienting life for positive events.
It’s ”Fixed vs Growth mindset” adapted for luck.
Luck found in four ways
🌱 Accidental Luck:
Success depends on where the seed lands.
Not very interesting, no agency, only privilege.
🏃🏽♀️ Active Luck:
Derived from constant movement.
No direction needed
Increases success through increasing number of tries.
“I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.” - Charles Kettering
“You don’t get extreme results without extreme actions.” - Derek Sivers
💊 Prepared Luck:
Noticing opportunities that others miss.
Example: Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin
Accident
Fleming was “uniquely equipped to observe it” (skills etc)
AND he took action to confirm the observation.
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” - Seneca
“Chance favors the prepared mind.” - Louis Pasteur
Gian-Carlo Rota on Richard Feynman on how to be a genius:
Keep a dozen problems present in your mind.
When exposed to a new trick or a result, test it against each of your problems to see whether it helps.
Occassionally there will be a hit
Success
🧲 Magnetic Luck:
AKA. “individualized action”
Chances come to you because of who you are and how you behave.
Unlike Active Luck, Magnetic Luck is directed motion. You have a hunch, so you pursue it, and luck appears (ref).
Identified something that resonates with people, that you are also abnormally fascinated by. When you strike gold, you’ll know. Stop and plant your flag.
Exploring is Actively Habitual, non Strategic activities.
Understanding the value of principles that are generally good habits (e.g. learn/build in public, do more & communicate it), and trusting in the process
Prospecting is a highly Active habit, and highly Strategic.
By having measures of where you are likely to have success (e.g. access to people in your field) you can consistently assess and move towards areas where you are more likely to be “lucky”.
It might look like luck to others, but the motion and intention you invested to get yourself in a position to be lucky was far from random.
Strategic manoeuvring for “Megatrends” is a good idea.
I haven’t read much on it, but knowing yourself and what you want in life is really important, helps you make decisions for becoming the person you want to be and living the life you want to live.