How to Create Luck

Jul 29, 2023

4 min read

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How to Create Luck

Luck is a concept that many people believe is entirely out of their control. They see it as something that randomly happens to a select few, leaving the rest of us to hope that luck will find us. But what if luck wasn't just a matter of chance? What if there were ways to position yourself in a way that increases your chances of experiencing positive random events? This is where the concept of "Luck Surface Area" comes in.

Luck Surface Area, coined by Jason Roberts and expanded upon by Sean Murphy and popularized by Patrick McKenzie, refers to the idea that the more things you do and the more people you tell about it, the larger your "surface area" for luck becomes. In other words, the more active you are in pursuing opportunities and the more you share your efforts with others, the more likely you are to attract luck.

This concept embodies a growth mindset towards luck. Instead of passively waiting for luck to find you, you actively seek out opportunities and create the conditions for luck to occur. It's about hustling until you stumble into luck and preparing your mind to be sensitive to chances that others may miss.

Naval Ravikant, a prominent entrepreneur and investor, breaks down luck into four categories:

Hope luck finds you: This is the most passive form of luck, where you simply hope that luck will come your way without taking any action. While this type of luck may occasionally happen, it's not something you can rely on or control.
Hustle until you stumble into it: This is a more active approach to luck. By putting in the effort and taking action, you increase your chances of stumbling upon lucky opportunities. This involves doing more things and telling more people about it, as Jason Roberts suggests.
Prepare the mind and be sensitive to chances others miss: This form of luck requires developing a mindset that is open to recognizing opportunities when they arise. It involves being aware of your surroundings, staying curious, and actively seeking out new experiences. By being mentally prepared to seize opportunities, you increase your chances of experiencing lucky events.