The Luck Trifecta

October 15, 2024: Luck, either good or bad, begins with the circumstances of where and when we were born, who our parents were, and our inherent talents and abilities. It’s basically all the things that are beyond our control and influence but have a huge impact on our lives.

Next, there are the fortunate or unfortunate situations or events that happen which alter the course of our lives. This kind of luck is also beyond our control and is sometimes expressed as being in the right place at the right time or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

And then there is the kind of luck we create, which is the result of our decisions and actions. It’s a mindset that embraces humility, gratitude, resilience, and the adaptability to seize favorable situations when they arise. When we wish someone “good luck,” it implies a hope that they will make the best of a new job, a new opportunity, or new circumstances. It’s the “carpe diem” kind of luck.

This kind of mindset also helps us deal with the challenge of unfortunate situations. When Lou Gehrig said, “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth” during his farewell speech at Yankee Stadium, despite facing a terminal illness (ALS), he was expressing gratitude for his life, career, and the support he received from fans, family, and colleagues.

We achieve the Luck Trifecta when the first two types of luck work in our favor and line up with the third type, which is the only one we ultimately have control over.