The last few months, I’ve been pouring my free time into a little side hustle. And when I say “pouring,” I mean full commitment — not dabbling, not winging it. I signed up for classes. I devoured YouTube tutorials. I read books, took notes, experimented, failed, tried again. I was in deep.
Last week, it all started to pay off. I had my first real wins — the kind that make you sit back and think, Yes. This is working.
Excited, I shared the news with someone close to me. Someone I respect. Someone whose opinion matters.
Their response?
“You got lucky.”
Luck?
All day, I’d been quietly proud of myself. I’d been replaying the hours of learning, the trial and error, the persistence that finally led to this small victory. But in a single sentence, my hard work was dismissed as a fortunate accident.
It stung. My inner cheerleader deflated like one of those sad inflatable Halloween decorations that’s lost its air. Instead of savoring the moment, I found myself thinking: Was it just luck? Did I overestimate my role in this?
When Preparation Meets Opportunity
Later, I remembered a quote from Seneca that I’ve always loved:
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
The Roman philosopher believed that success isn’t just chance — it’s the result of constant preparation. Yes, life might present opportunities unexpectedly, but it’s our readiness that allows us to grab them.
And that’s exactly what I had done. I prepared. I put in the hours. I stayed curious. I showed up. When the opportunity came, I was ready — and that’s why I succeeded.
So, no. It wasn’t “just luck.”
Since then, I’ve given myself the congratulations I deserved. I’ve reminded myself that I earned this, and I’ll keep preparing for the next opportunity. And the next time I hit a win, I’ll celebrate it fully — and I won’t let anyone (including myself) minimize it.
Because luck may open the door, but hard work is what turns the key.
And you?
How are you preparing for the next opportunity that’s headed your way?
Before you go, if you’re ready to start shaping what’s next for you, I’d love for you to join me on August 27th @7pm CST for my Midlife Vision Statement Workshop. It’s a relaxed, inspiring space to get clear on your goals and dreams for this next chapter — and start making them real. Sign up below. Spots are limited, so save yours today!