Entrepreneurship Dictionary: L for LUCK. (Reflection from a RM3 pastry)

Is there such a thing as luck in being an entrepreneur?

The definition of LUCK, for the longest time, for me came from Tom Peters, the author of In Search of Excellence who famously said "The harder you work, the luckier you get". I was exposed to this in my management class while I was studying Chemical Engineering a 'millennium' ago.

His definition resonated with me so much so that it shifted my mindset about LUCK. Basically, LUCK is actually what we make out of it. We generate our own luck. It is not something that is random or you stumbled upon.

After all these year of having only one definition of LUCK, yesterday I was exposed to another definition of LUCK. This time by a very successful local innovator-entrepreneur. He said "LUCK is a combination of opportunity and preparedness"! This I find to be true too and it does fit into Tom Peter's definition.

According to this new defintion, LUCK is a product of some form of endeavour. It is not the romantic spontaneous emergence of an event. It is a reward, be it a good one or a bad one, for actions you have taken.

So, if you would like to be LUCKy, go out there, test things out, stumble, meet people, collaborate. Bottom line, be in action not procrastination. Walk don’t just talk. Only then you will find LUCK because LUCK will never find you.

Just like the pastry that I get to buy for only RM3 (original price RM7) because I frequent the establishment regularly and has created a friendly relationship with the crew. My endeavour of being friendly with them has earn me a LUCKy opportunity (note LUCK + Opportunity) to be offered a pastry for more than half it's original price. That is a LUCK that I made for myself.

So bottom line, you rock you LUCK in life.