What if I told you that ‘working hard’ and ‘being smart’ aren’t enough to get rich? If being smart guaranteed wealth, libraries would be packed with billionaires and coal miners would all drive Bentleys.
A study conducted by a group of Italian scientists revealed a surprising finding: the most successful people aren’t necessarily the most skilled or intelligent — they’re the ones who’ve benefited from luck. The researchers created a computer simulation to understand how people achieve material success. Their results suggested that luck plays a critical role in success. (You can read more about this study here BBC Science).
The harsh truth? Success isn’t fair, and luck is a skill you can master. The key is to know how to create your own luck by putting yourself in more “right place, right time” situations and knowing what to do when those moments show up.
Luck isn’t something completely random — you can attract it and nurture it like a tree. This isn’t just about affirmations or wishful thinking. Therefore, I would like to share with you my tools for attracting good luck based on my experience!
How to Become Luckier in Business
The key to being “lucky” is increasing the number of opportunities where you’re in the right place at the right time. Here’s how:
1. Expose Yourself to Opportunities.
Luck favors those who actively seek opportunities. Attend networking events, join online communities, participate in public speaking engagements, and make your skills visible through social media or writing. At the same time, ensure these opportunities align with your area of expertise.
I have an admirable example from my life. One of the most transformative experiences in my career came from a seemingly random encounter. A friend invited me to help him set up a podcast studio. I wasn’t planning on turning it into a business opportunity; I simply wanted to lend a hand. While we were wrapping up the setup, the studio’s owner arrived. Impressed by the work, he started a conversation with me. During this discussion, I asked tactical questions about his goals for the studio. It turned out he wanted to use the studio to build his personal brand but wasn’t sure where to start. This one conversation opened the door to multiple business opportunities. Soon, I managed not only his podcast studio but also helped him grow his personal brand, establish social media strategies, and even develop new revenue streams. What started as a casual favor turned into one of the most profitable partnerships in my career.
2. Ask the Right Questions
Selling yourself effectively often comes down to asking thoughtful questions. Avoid “why” questions, as they can make people defensive. Instead, ask questions that uncover deeper needs. For example:
- “What are your goals with this podcast studio?”
- “What would success look like for you
- “What’s still missing to make this project complete?”
In the example of the podcast studio, I realized that the owner’s primary focus wasn’t on profitability but on creating a strong personal brand. This insight allowed me to tailor my services to his exact needs, positioning myself as an essential partner rather than just a hired consultant.
3. Broaden Your Skillset
3. Broaden Your Skillset
The more you know, the more opportunities you’ll recognize. In today’s fast-changing world, being narrowly specialized isn’t enough. Strive to become a polymath — someone with a broad range of knowledge and skills. For example, I’ve developed expertise in business planning, ensuring my strategies align with long-term goals. I’ve also mastered team management, helping teams operate more effectively.
In the creative field, I’ve built skills in branding, UI/UX design, and graphic design, creating visually compelling projects. I’m proficient in video editing and web development, which enhance the digital solutions I offer.
On the operational side, I’m skilled in accounting and negotiation, both critical for managing finances and sealing deals. I’ve also gained hands-on experience in villa management and podcast production, expanding my reach into new industries.
In personal growth, I’ve tackled public speaking, teaching, and content creation, enabling me to connect with audiences effectively. And finally, learning multiple languages — Ukrainian, Russian, English, and Chinese — has opened doors to diverse opportunities and collaborations.
Luck requires time to cultivate, so you’ll need financial stability to explore high-potential opportunities. Here’s how to manage it:
- Lower Your Expenses: Reduce your cost of living to gain financial flexibility. For me, this meant moving to a country with a lower rent while still being part of an expat business community.
- Find a Stable Income Source: A part-time job or freelance work can support you while you pursue higher-value opportunities. For instance, I worked as an online language teacher while building my business.
So, you’re at the right place at the right time. What’s next? Here’s how to turn an opportunity into a lasting business relationship:
1. Build Your Bargaining Power
Don’t focus on making immediate money — focus on building influence and trust. This increases your bargaining power as a service provider. Make your offer so compelling that it becomes a no-brainer for the client. For example, I proposed a full-package solution for the podcast studio: business planning, booking system setup, team management, quality control, and social media strategy. To minimize risks for my client, I included:
- A one-month probation period.
- Incremental payments every 15 days.
- A competitive starting price.
2. Evaluate Your Clients
Before committing, use tactical questions to assess whether a client is the right fit. Ask questions like:
- “ What do you value most — speed or long-term results?”
- “Do you prefer to manage projects yourself or delegate to experts?”
If a client doesn’t value delegation or collaboration, they may not be ideal for long-term work.
3. Communicate Your Value
You can only charge clients what they believe you’re worth. If you struggle to raise your rates, it may mean your client doesn’t fully understand the value you bring. Use tactical questions and clear examples to demonstrate the impact of your work.
The Blueprint for Mastering Luck and Wealth
Wealth doesn’t favor the smartest or even the hardest workers — it favors those who understand the subtle art of creating and seizing opportunities. Luck isn’t some mystical force; it’s a skill, a habit, and a strategy. By exposing yourself to more opportunities, asking the right questions, and expanding your skillset, you begin to shape the odds in your favor.
Success is built on a foundation of intentional actions: reducing your expenses to stay flexible, building trust to increase your influence, and communicating your value to command what you’re worth. Luck becomes a byproduct of your preparation and your ability to act decisively when the right moments arise.
The harsh truth? Staying poor isn’t a matter of bad luck — it’s often the result of staying unprepared for the opportunities that life inevitably throws your way. Master the art of luck, and you’ll find that success isn’t just possible — it’s inevitable.