7 ms·
Unfortunately, there is a bit too much unstated assumption of "just be lucky (fortunate) as hell in multiple metrics from an incredibly young age." This serious
by Mz 10y ago
Unfortunately, there is a bit too much unstated assumption of "just be lucky (fortunate) as hell in multiple metrics from an incredibly young age." This seriously undermines the value of this advice for at least 99% of people.
- tlb 10y agoIf one did state that assumption, is there something useful one can then say about how to be lucky? Or can you give an example of a "here's how I succeeded at something, the same strategies might work for you" article that addresses luck in an actionable way?
- Mz 10y agoThere are actually studies that quantify some of the differences in behavior between people who are lucky and people who are not. I think the actionable advice here wouod have to do with what pre-conditions must exist before this advice is meaningful and useful. Having some idea of what kind of situation you must create for yourself first would make it easier for people to recognize whether or not this advice can be applied to their life and, if not, what personal issues need to be addressed before this is useful advice.
- YuriNiyazov 10y agoWould love to read these studies, do you have some references?
- Mz 10y agohttps://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201005/make-your-own-luck https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201005/make-your-ow... http://www.bing.com/search?q=luck+studies&go=Submit&qs=n&form=QBLH&pq=luck+studies&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=547E8CA0AFB843C49FFBFF22573E7274 http://www.bing.com/search?q=luck+studies&go=Submit&qs=n&for... http://www.forbes.com/sites/michakaufman/2015/01/30/embracing-the-upside-risk-of-entrepreneurship/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/michakaufman/2015/01/30/embracin... http://www.codusoperandi.com/posts/increasing-your-luck-surface-area http://www.codusoperandi.com/posts/increasing-your-luck-surf...
- joaorico 10y agoIn addition to those, mostly as an example on how to start a actionable framework on luck, there's James Austin's 4 definitions of luck, see e.g. pmarca's old blog entry about it: http://pmarchive.com/luck_and_the_entrepreneur.html http://pmarchive.com/luck_and_the_entrepreneur.html
- hood_syntax 10y agoFrankly there's no point in giving this kind of advice to the 99% you're talking about (I include myself in that group). Most people do not have the opportunities (most important) or capability (still important) to do anything these people do.
- Mz 10y agoAs someone who is both a homeless woman and the top ranked woman on HN, I don't remotely agree with you.
- lint_roller 10y agoOne of the hardest things to accept about life is that there are no guarantees. You play with the hand you're dealt.
- projektir 10y agoBut we should remember that when the cards are dealt, we are not alone. Some of us may have better cards than others, but a combination could be further stronger still.
- namank 10y agoSeems to me, the advice is all about surrounding yourself with good people.
- sama 10y agoLuck is a massive, massive factor in many ways, but I generally think you should make decisions as if it weren't a factor.
- Mz 10y agoWhile I agree that you should "plan for the worst, hope for the best," YC started with a very idealistic concept that a couple of guys with a couple of computers and a few thousand dollars could seek to be Ramen Profitable (instead of seeking to be the next unicorn). You personally benefitted from that philosophy. It would be nice if the tradition that YC is for the common man with big dreams and little capital were continued.
- venkynarayanan 10y agoBy luck do mean like, riding a wave (unknowingly) just when it has started which turns out to be a pretty huge wave thus enabling you to build something massive.