Does Luck Play a Role in Business?
It’s so easy for all of us to look at successful businesses and think they are so lucky. Mark Zuckerberg must have been one lucky college kid to be running a multi-billion dollar company. OK, that’s aiming a little high. We can also look at the smaller businesses in our areas and think, wow they just have really great clients, or they lucked out on the timing of their start-up or their location. But, does luck play a role in business? Can we just chalk up our success and the success of others to sheer luck? I’m going to venture that it is a little bit of both.
Does luck exist?
Of course, there are all sorts of instances where luck does actually play a role, but most of the time, things happen for reasons. Sure we could come across that leftover $5 in our winter coat and think, “must be my lucky day!” But, that $5 is not there by luck. It’s there for a reason….you don’t clean out your pockets. I won’t scold you for that because who doesn’t love when their laziness pays off, literally.
In business, luck doesn’t just happen. We work for it. Work pays off in luck.
Hard work and research into developing new and inventive ideas for your clients pays off with a happy and growing client base. Fiscal responsibility and planning lead to scoring that amazing location. Fair and excellent treatment of employees lead to happy and engaged employees. These things don’t just happen in business, we make them happen with hard work. Thomas Jefferson once said, “ I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” What a great statement. We can increase our luck just by working harder at it.
Of course there are things that do come our way by luck, I won’t deny it. Maybe having a personal connection can help you out, but its how you foster that relationship that makes that “lucky” connection work. It’s the effort you put in with that great client base that maintains it. With business, YOUR business, you cannot just leave it up to fate, you have to put in the time.
I’ll leave you with another great quote from the super-cool Anthony Bourdain*, “Luck is not a business model.” Keep that quote in mind the next time you find yourself thinking some businesses have all the luck. Yes, there may be some luck at hand, but don’t negate all of the hard work that goes into creating and maintaining a successful business.
Get out there and work for your success. You can make it happen, with hard work and perseverance. And here is a quick read for a little luck in your newsletter campaigns. The more you know, the luckier you can be.
*Anthony,
With any luck, if you are reading this, please come cook for my family. I promise we’re not weirdos.
Sincerely,
Sara
Sara Husted is a partner, owner and digital media mixologist at Think Big Marketing, LLC. She helps businesses and coaches streamline their online marketing through social media strategy and management. For a FREE 15-minute Discovery Session, click here!