Is Success Luck or Hard Work?

Ever heard someone calling other person lucky, making it sound as an insult? Well I hear it on a daily basis and it used to tilt me a tiny bit.

Anything could be broken down to luck if you want to do that.

We all tend to underplay the role of luck in our success. We’re quick to credit our perseverance, talent, or strategy, but the truth is, luck — whether it’s the timing of our birth, the opportunities we’re given, or the people we meet — plays a crucial role.

Luck isn’t a bad thing as described by many people. We just need to own our cards and realise luck is a part of it, as is hard work.

Today at a Glance:

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We always think we do more

There’s a funny thing our brains do called egocentric bias — it’s the tendency to believe we’re doing more than our fair share.

Take a simple example: couples and housework. If you ask both partners how much they contribute, their combined estimates usually exceed 100%. It’s not that anyone is being dishonest; we’re just naturally more tuned in to our own efforts than those of others.

This bias doesn’t just stop at chores. It applies to every corner of our lives, from how we view our contributions at work to how we interpret our successes.

Consider the world of sports. The timing of an athlete’s birth can play a surprisingly big role in their chances of going pro, thanks to something called the relative age effect.

Athletes born earlier in their selection year often seem more physically mature and developed compared to their younger peers, which leads to more opportunities, better coaching, and a head start in their sport.

Luck.

Downside of overlooking luck

If we believe our success is entirely due to your own efforts, it’s easy to dismiss the struggles of others as a result of their lack of effort or ability.

This mindset is not only unfair but also dangerous.

Interestingly, acknowledging the role of luck doesn’t diminish our achievements. In fact, according to studies it makes us look more grounded, kinder and more likeable.

However, there’s a delicate balance to strike. To succeed, we often need to believe that our fate is in our hands, that our talent, work ethic, and determination will carry us through.

This belief is powerful and necessary to push boundaries and achieve great things.

But at the same time, recognising that luck played a role in our journey doesn’t undermine our efforts — it enriches our perspective.

Reality Distortion Field

The reality distortion field is this almost magical ability some people have to bend reality to their will.

It’s about believing so deeply in our vision that we can convince ourselves — and everyone around ys — that the impossible is possible.

Steve Jobs was famous for this. He didn’t just see things as they were; he saw things as they could be, and he made others see it too.

This belief isn't about ignoring reality; it's about refusing to let it limit you.

If you want to disrupt the entire world, you have to believe, with every fiber of your being, that you can.

That belief drives you to push boundaries, take risks, and keep going even when everyone else says it can't be done.

It’s what turns crazy ideas into world-changing innovations. Without this kind of mindset, you're just playing by the rules, not rewriting them.

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