How to Create Luck: Stop Overthinking Your Zettelkasten System

How to Create Luck: Stop Overthinking Your Zettelkasten System

Luck is often seen as a random occurrence, something that happens by chance. However, there are ways to position ourselves in a way that captures more of it. In this article, we will explore how to create luck and how to get started with your Zettelkasten system.

Luck Surface Area (LSA) is a concept coined by Jason Roberts. It refers to the idea that the more things you do and the more people you tell about it, the larger your LSA becomes. This embodies a more active attitude towards creating luck. Instead of waiting for luck to find you, you actively hustle until you stumble into it. This mindset is similar to the "Fixed vs Growth mindset" concept, adapted for luck.

Naval, a successful entrepreneur and investor, summarizes the four kinds of luck as follows: hope luck finds you, hustle until you stumble into it, prepare the mind and be sensitive to chances others miss, and become the best at what you do. By refining your skills and becoming the best in your field, you increase the likelihood of luck seeking you out. Luck becomes your destiny.

To create luck, it is essential to take extreme actions. As Charles Kettering said, "I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down." Luck requires preparation and opportunity. Derek Sivers emphasizes that extreme results come from extreme actions, while Seneca and Louis Pasteur highlight the importance of preparation and a prepared mind.

Now, let's shift our focus to the Zettelkasten system, a powerful tool for thinking and generating new ideas. The system consists of different types of notes: literature notes, permanent notes, and sequence notes.

Literature notes are the initial notes you take while reading. They don't have to be perfect or beautiful; their purpose is to capture your thoughts and ideas. The key is to move on and not get caught up in overthinking. Your brain will subconsciously connect these notes to what you already know, leading to new insights and connections.

Permanent notes are top-level topics or groups of notes that help you establish thoughts and arguments. They serve as a foundation for your ideas and provide a structure for your Zettelkasten system. Don't be afraid to modify or merge permanent notes as you go along. Your system is a living ecosystem that can grow and change over time.

Sequence notes, on the other hand, are atomic notes with one idea each that sit within your permanent notes. They add thoughts and ideas to the original permanent note, enriching your knowledge base and facilitating creative thinking.