RACL: Routine And Coincidental Luck
Luck is not just random, it’s formulated and concocted from our actions. Fortunate breaks appear to happen coincidentally but maybe not.
A great man by the name of Lee Trevino once said:
“The more I practice, the luckier I get”
Granted this comment was regarding perfecting his golf game to go on to win 92 times including 6 major titles.
It applies to our lives, outside the realms of competitive sport.
Discipline, routine and diligence are words that surround standard advice from experts in any field to become successful. These three words are key and I’ll tell you why.
The more opportunities you mine for yourself, the more likely you are to get noticed by someone.
The more impressions you make, the more likely that one day you’ll appear in the right place at the right time.
I try to stick to somewhat of a morning and evening routine but I’ve realised (personally) being very rigid leaves me feeling guilty about completing organised and ordered tasks.
In the mornings, I’ll do my personal health and wellbeing bits which every human with functional sanitation areas should perform. But it’s what I do on my commute that has revolutionised the way I gear myself for the day (and on the way home, helps to wind down).
I’ll pick up the Metro, have a quick read up to about page 15 — skip to the sports and then discard it. Next I’ll pick up my phone and check the stats from the last night’s blog and read articles from my network. If I have some time in my commute after I’ve finished browsing, I’ll pull out my laptop and continue with university reading.
Today I found an article by Benjamin Hardy that talked about creating opportunities without even knowing — hence the inspiration for today’s blog.
On the way home yesterday I found an article in The Evening Standard about modern slavery — the topic of my whole work day hours before.
Take my new internship.
It’s an opportunity to make contacts and learn more about how my skills can be flexible and adaptable.
I never saw myself in business intelligence marketing, but here I am.
My portfolio is dense, for someone my age and experience. It is credit to progressing and making decisions to better myself and foster change.
It was luck I got this internship. No doubt. My application was attractive at the right time in the right place.
Going back to my routine, on the way home I always check the National Rail app to know whether I need to run for the train (they arrive every 25 minutes and the weather has been abysmal recently).
I was on the DLR, three stops away and I saw the train left the station in 6 minutes. In my head I was already thinking that I missed it. I got out of the DLR station and I saw the time board, the train was still on there. I looked to my left, the train was being held. In the back of my mind, I always think I have a chance to make it, push myself and make myself breathless doing so.
In every part of my life, I strive to push myself to break boundaries and expectations. I do it in my commute as well as with my career.
I do love routine (or somewhat of one), I find it hard to be disciplined and get distracted easily. But I get it all done.
It’s this routine, drive and determination that places me here… now. And it will continue to place me wherever I end up.
Next time you see me breathless, whether successful or not, know I tried my hardest to make that train or lecture or meeting. My mindset is fixed to perform and it will never change.
But we all get lucky sometimes too.