LUCK IS AN ACCIDENT — Happens to the Competent.

‘Luck is not just a random event; it’s a belief. It’s believing that you are lucky.’ This belief inspires and motivates you to achieve great things, reminding you that luck is not just a chance event but a mindset that can drive you towards success.

Luck is like a game, where a favourable or fortunate outcome is experienced with minimal effort. It’s important to remember that luck is unpredictable and can’t be controlled or relied upon. This unpredictability should humble us and allow us to respect the concept of luck. We must understand that it can strike at any moment, cautioning us to be prepared. This caution is not a sign of fear but a reminder to always be ready for the unexpected, making you feel cautious and prepared.

It’s crucial to remember that luck often happens to competent people. It’s not just a matter of chance but a result of their skills and abilities. For instance, a qualified engineer might be in the right place to solve a critical problem at the right time, leading to a promotion. This should inspire us to hone our competence, as it can place us in situations where we will likely encounter opportunities perceived as lucky. Your competence is the key to shaping these opportunities, empowering you, giving you a sense of control over your future, and motivating you to strive for excellence.

‘Incompetence and Luck’

A mediocre boy doing selective study cracks the coveted IIT exam, while a twelfth-class topper who burns the midnight oil cannot secure clearing marks. An MBBS supplementary holder brings laurels to his practice, while a gold medallist slogs through life, running on a treadmill to sustain cut-throat competition.

Success and failure often elude people. Sometimes, people succeed not because they are skilled or competent but because of sheer luck. Conversely, people fail despite their competence due to bad luck. Life’s unpredictability reminds us that we must always be prepared for the unexpected.

Competence may increase the likelihood of success, but nothing comes with a guarantee. Good and bad luck significantly shape results, leading to situations where circumstances mask incompetence. However, remember that your competence is a powerful tool that can increase your chances of success. Stay determined and focused; your competence will keep you hopeful and motivated.

THOMAS JEFFERSON said— “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”

Hard work and positive affirmation enhance the predictability of luck; the harder you work, the luckier you get. Luck holds to the opportunity; as it comes, you are prepared for it. Your hard work is not just a means to an end but a way to shape your luck, making you more proactive and ready for the opportunities that come your way.

I was scheduled to take an Arthroscopic surgery course at a top institution in Boston, USA, under the ace arthroscopic surgeon. I took a detour to Houston before reaching Boston. My sister-in-law took me to her office at St. Joseph Hospital, where I met the hospital director. He asked me to visit their Microsurgery training unit. I was so impressed and overwhelmed by the services and the prospects that I cancelled my Boston assignment and settled in to get training in Microsurgery—the rest is history. I feel lucky to have visited the Microsurgery unit and made Micro-surgery my career. I was competent to take the Arthroscopy course, but my luck intervened and shoved me into the world of Reconstructive Hand Surgery and Microsurgery.

Luck happens accidentally, and competence endorses the journey. It validates one’s skills and abilities, reminding one that great things can be achieved.

A Japanese proverb rightly says – ‘The day you decide to do it is your lucky day.’

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