There is an element of luck with anything in life: Being in the right place at the right time, being the right person as well as recognizing the opportunity.

There is an element of luck with anything in life: Being in the right place at the right time, being the right person as well as recognizing the opportunity. SV is a lucky place, YC is a lucky place, Stanford (or even a University) is a lucky place. How do you get to those places? You typically have to work hard at something to get the opportunity.