Did I Get Lucky?

I think about this a lot—how much of life is luck, and how much is hard work?

One concept that sticks with me is the idea of luck surface area. The more you show up, the more opportunities you create for luck to find you. But even with that in mind, I sometimes wonder—am I building something, or just getting lucky?

So, I tested it. Here is a small example from that theory:

When I first started running, everything hurt—shin splints, ankle pain, knee pain. It didn’t matter what shoes I wore; every step felt like a battle. Then I switched to Adidas, and after six consistent months, the pain disappeared. Hitting my first 10k felt like a breakthrough, so I rewarded myself with a pair of New Balance. Running in those? It was like floating on clouds.

For a month, I stuck with the New Balances. But a thought kept nagging me—was it the shoes? Or was it me?

I went back to the Adidas and sprinted. Hard. Fast. No pain. It felt like me.

Still, I wasn’t convinced. So, this week, I tried running in my Nike Blazers (basketball shoes for running, yes)—the same shoes that used to make my legs ache just walking. And guess what? I sprinted.

Turns out, it’s not the shoes.

It’s the work you put in when no one’s watching. The consistency, the showing up, the pushing through—that’s what creates results.

Part luck, part you.

The 4 Types of Luck

1. Blind Luck: The kind of luck you have no control over—like winning the lottery or being born into privilege.

2. Luck Through Motion: The luck you generate by taking action, showing up, and consistently putting in the work. The more you’re out there, the more chances luck has to find you.

3. Luck Through Skill: This happens when you’ve honed your craft so well that opportunities naturally come your way. Your expertise makes you a magnet for the right kind of luck.

4. Luck Through Awareness: The ability to notice opportunities that others overlook, simply because you’ve trained your mind to recognize them.

These remind me that while some luck is beyond our control, most of it can be cultivated through effort, awareness, and consistency.

How Luck Plays Into Work and Relationships

In work or building relationships, luck often comes from showing up at the right time, being useful, and offering value. Whether it’s helping someone solve a problem or being present when an opportunity arises, you get “lucky” by being visible and reliable.

The more you’re there when someone needs advice, support, or a solution, the more likely it is for luck to find you. Relationships deepen, and opportunities surface when you consistently show up and provide value.

How to Increase Your Luck Surface Area

• Show Up Consistently: The more visible you are, the more doors open.

• Be Useful: Solve problems, share insights, or offer support wherever possible.

• Build Genuine Connections: Invest time in relationships—they often bring unexpected opportunities.

• Stay Curious and Open: Explore, learn, and put yourself in environments where luck is likely to strike.

Luck isn’t random.

It’s created through action, intention, and the willingness to put yourself out there.

You just have to keep showing up.