Luck is what happens when preparedness meets opportunity

Being an avid aviation fan since childhood, planes (especially general aviation) have always had a special place in my heart. And I remember very clearly the time when I had an opportunity to work for Boeing. I was invited for the interview and result was that they liked me but they did not like my skill level for the particular role I was supposed to execute. So what happened? The opportunity passed by. But did I give up then? No. I kept learning and training myself more and more. I didn’t give up on the dream of working for a dream-company like Boeing. And it paid off, but almost a year from the initial interview. I was finally given the opportunity to work for one of my dream-companies.



Now, what do you think happened there? Why was I given the role later? The reason is simple and it’s right there. It’s because I was better prepared with increased knowledge and training, and that’s why I was given the opportunity. Many people called it ‘Luck’. I say ‘There is no such thing as Luck’. Luck is what happens when Preparedness meets Opportunity."



Like my experience in the above case, billions of people miss out on opportunities that come right in their face. They don’t grab it because they are not prepared to make use of that opportunity. If you happen to read OUTLIERS by Malcolm Gladwell you will understand better how success works. He cites real life examples of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Andrew Carnegie, etc. and how they were prepared to meet opportunity when it showed up.



Now for the real question - How does one prepare for the opportunity? If you read the book ACRES OF DIAMONDS by Russell Conwell, you will understand better that opportunity lies waiting in everything that you currently are involved in. I don’t care if you are a Janitor or a Doctor, you have opportunity everywhere. The problem is that since you are not prepared you don’t see them. For example: How would know the difference between a rough uncut diamond and a polished cut diamond? If I were to give you a big chunk of rough diamond from the soil, you will pass it for a piece of rock! It’s true. It looks like rock! The only way you will see the diamond is if you have more knowledge about diamonds in general – How they look, how they form, how they can be spotted, etc. There you have the answer on how to be prepared. You have to LEARN about it. You have to EDUCATE yourself on it. The more knowledge and experience (it’s nothing but practical knowledge) you have about a particular field of interest, the better prepared you are to see opportunities within that field.



You can put the above learning into action by starting right where you are. In your very own field of work, learn more about the industry, the company, the competitors, the customers, etc. The more you know the better prepared you are. And the better prepared you are, the more you will spot opportunities to become even better. I wish you good ‘Luck’! Oops!



God Bless.