Luck: Are You Waiting for It or Creating It?

Let’s talk about something that’s almost taboo in the business world—especially among high achievers and go-getters. Let’s talk about luck.

Do you need to be lucky in life? Is success just about being in the right place at the right time?

How you answer this question can shape your entire outlook on life and career. Today, I want to share my perspective on it using a simple but powerful analogy: life is like catching multiple trains.

Life and Career: A Series of Train Rides
Imagine you’re traveling from one place to another. You stay somewhere for a while, and then you move on to the next destination. Sounds a lot like life and career, right? Maybe you’re in a certain job today, but after a while, you’re ready for the next opportunity.

Now, let’s think about how we catch a train. Two things need to happen:

• A train must arrive at the station.
• You need to be at the station when the train arrives.

Here’s the big difference between catching a train in real life and catching a train in your career: Real trains have schedules; life doesn’t. No one can tell you exactly when your next big opportunity will come. There’s no timetable for success

Creating Your Own Luck
So, where does luck come in? Well, I believe you create your own luck. Here’s how:

1. Get to the Station
   Trains don’t stop at your front door. If you sit on your couch waiting for one to appear magically, you’ll be waiting forever. You have to get up, move, and position yourself where opportunities are more likely to come.
2. Choose the Right Station
   Not all train stations are the same. Some are busy, with trains arriving every few minutes. Others are in the middle of nowhere, with only one train a week. Now, think about your career. Are you in a “busy station” where opportunities are abundant?

   Are you in a role with high visibility? Are you contributing to key projects that align with the company’s strategic goals? If so, great! Stay there and keep showing up—your train will come soon. Alternatively, if you’re in a “deserted station,” where opportunities are rare, you have a choice: stay and wait or walk to a better station. That might mean seeking new responsibilities, networking more, or even switching industries

3. Stay Ready
   It’s not just about being at the right station; it’s about being ready when the train comes. That means consistently showing up, developing your skills, and maintaining a strong work ethic. It’s tempting to leave the station for a while, take it easy, and wait until you hear the train coming. But if you’re not there when it arrives, you’ll miss it ! The people who seem “lucky” are simply the ones who were ready when opportunity knocked.

Some People Start Closer to the Station
I get it—some people are born closer to the station. Some have a car to get there faster. But here’s the thing: no one catches a train by staying on the couch. No matter where you start, you have to make the effort to get to the station and put yourself in the best possible position to succeed.

Final Thoughts
Luck isn’t just about chance; it’s about preparation and positioning. If you want to increase your chances of success, get to the right station, stay there, and be ready when the train arrives.

Simona Pappalardo is a successful executive and leadership coach. Before starting her own business, she held several executive roles within the semiconductor, electronics, and manufacturing industries, in Quality, Product Development, and Supply Chain Operations. You can follow Simona on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachingwithSimona and reach out to her directly at simona@coachingwithsimona.com.

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