People who call me "lucky" don’t see the 4 AM hustle, the failures that shaped me, or the discipline behind what looks like overnight success. Here’s the reality behind the illusion of luck.

1. Luck = Preparation Meets Opportunity

The Roman philosopher Seneca said it best: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

• Did I "luckily" land big opportunities? No. I positioned myself so that when the door cracked open, I was ready to kick it down.

• Did success come easy? No. I studied, practiced, and failed repeatedly until skill replaced luck.

You don’t wait for luck, you create it by being the most prepared person in the room.

2. The "Overnight Success" Lie

People see the breakthrough, not the grind:

• They see the viral post, not the 100 unpublished drafts before it.

• They see the big deal closed, not the 50 rejections that came first.

• They see confidence, not the years of self-doubt I had to conquer.

There’s no such thing as an overnight success, only years of unseen work finally paying off.

3. How to Manufacture Your Own Luck

A. Outwork Everyone

• Luck favors the most persistent, not the most talented.

• While others sleep, I’m learning. While they procrastinate, I’m executing.

B. Say "Yes" to Uncomfortable Challenges

• Luck hides outside your comfort zone.

• Take the project no one wants. Pitch the crazy idea. Bet on yourself.

C. Build a Network, Not Just a Resume

• "Lucky" connections come from consistently adding value, not just asking for favors.

• Help others win, and opportunities find you.

D. Learn from Every Failure

• Every "no" teaches you how to get to "yes."

• The more you fail, the "luckier" you get—because experience is the ultimate advantage.

4. The Mindset Shift: Stop Waiting, Start Creating

The biggest difference between those who "get lucky" and those who don’t?

• Unlucky people hope for a break.

• Lucky people engineer their own.

I don’t believe in luck, I believe in outworking, out-thinking, and outlasting until success has no choice but to happen.

Final Thought: Be the Architect of Your Destiny

The next time someone calls you "lucky," smile and say:

"You’re right. I’m lucky I didn’t quit. Lucky I kept learning. Lucky I bet on myself when no one else did."

Because that kind of luck? Anyone can create it.