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Fun story: The lead artist/dancer of https://www.skyfirearts.com/ https://www.skyfirearts.com/ had had that dream for years, and that "first lucky break" came w

Fun story: The lead artist/dancer of https://www.skyfirearts.com/ https://www.skyfirearts.com/ had had that dream for years, and that "first lucky break" came when (8-9 years ago) he was getting coffee and the guy behind him in line was the guy for Tesla Coils in the US, who then helped Skyfire get up and running. AFAICT, what's repeatable / helpful is a bit more nuance about "how to make luck": 1) Know what you want so you can recognize it when you encounter it 2) Give yourself lots of opportunities to encounter it 3) Have the self-direction and resources to jump on it when you encounter it Of course, there's also just pure blind luck. Edit: I know there's another step in here, but TBH I'd love advice for it: Making sure the other party recognizes you as something they've been looking for (aka, all the above but from their perspective). Advice?

biztos 6y ago
Not advice exactly, but I have a few friends who've had lucky breaks like that, and I'm pretty sure it came down to: be interesting, confident, and friendly. Plus the things you mentioned. When they randomly met people who could open doors for them, they just seemed like interesting people to open doors for, and who wouldn't waste the opportunity nor abuse it. Anyway that's my take, but I'm still struggling with #1 at 50, so I might be over-thinking it.
- JoblessWonder 6y ago
  Those three things are so huge when it comes to making connections like the ones we are talking about. Related to that, having the courage/gumption to notice that someone may be holding a door open for you and walking through! I have looked back at some interactions with people who I probably could have used (not abused) to further my career but I was locked in a mindset that I didn't think I was worthy of their attention/guidance even though they were offering it.
- RangerScience 6y ago
  Good advice! To continue the unmentioned chemistry metaphor: Ensure that you have reaction sites, as well. For #1... AFAIK it's the art of holding an abstract wish. Imagine it'll be granted by a lazy genie; neither malevolent nor benevolent; just as easily / simply / directly as possible.
tsujp 6y ago
This. I like to think of luck as a function of: - exposure (your own putting yourself out there); - ability to recognise the opportunity (should it arise); and - ability to convey your worth/utility/function to others so that they might reciprocate (e.g. communication skills et al) I'm kind of parroting what you have said but I resonate with it. In some sense what we call "luck" is in-fact earned at least in part.
janee 6y ago
I'd say timing plays a huge role and can also be seen as luck. The market is sometimes just not ready for something and knowing if your timing is right isn't obvious, nor even possible to determine in most cases imo
- pbowyer 6y ago
  This. I was pitching Roam-like software in 2005. No interest at all. Now there's dozens of them talking as if graphs and relationships in (personal) knowledge management is new. It's hard not to feel bitter.

biztos 6y ago

Not advice exactly, but I have a few friends who've had lucky breaks like that, and I'm pretty sure it came down to: be interesting, confident, and friendly. Plus the things you mentioned. When they randomly met people who could open doors for them, they just seemed like interesting people to open doors for, and who wouldn't waste the opportunity nor abuse it. Anyway that's my take, but I'm still struggling with #1 at 50, so I might be over-thinking it.

JoblessWonder 6y ago
Those three things are so huge when it comes to making connections like the ones we are talking about. Related to that, having the courage/gumption to notice that someone may be holding a door open for you and walking through! I have looked back at some interactions with people who I probably could have used (not abused) to further my career but I was locked in a mindset that I didn't think I was worthy of their attention/guidance even though they were offering it.
RangerScience 6y ago
Good advice! To continue the unmentioned chemistry metaphor: Ensure that you have reaction sites, as well. For #1... AFAIK it's the art of holding an abstract wish. Imagine it'll be granted by a lazy genie; neither malevolent nor benevolent; just as easily / simply / directly as possible.

tsujp 6y ago

This. I like to think of luck as a function of: - exposure (your own putting yourself out there); - ability to recognise the opportunity (should it arise); and - ability to convey your worth/utility/function to others so that they might reciprocate (e.g. communication skills et al) I'm kind of parroting what you have said but I resonate with it. In some sense what we call "luck" is in-fact earned at least in part.

janee 6y ago

I'd say timing plays a huge role and can also be seen as luck. The market is sometimes just not ready for something and knowing if your timing is right isn't obvious, nor even possible to determine in most cases imo

pbowyer 6y ago
This. I was pitching Roam-like software in 2005. No interest at all. Now there's dozens of them talking as if graphs and relationships in (personal) knowledge management is new. It's hard not to feel bitter.