TLDR; Luck can be as simple as recognizing what you’re curious about
I get asked all the time for career advice. Not sure why me, but here goes… How to get lucky, and find your dream job…
Ready?
Write down the things you love most.
Now the things you’re most curious about.
Now all of your skills, the things you are objectively good at, maybe even the best at.
If you don’t know what you’re good at, ask your mom, or your friends. Ask them what sets you apart. They will know.
Now think about where those things intersect. It may not be a “real” job, that’s fine.
Still with me?
Those opportunities, when you see them will feel like luck. The perfect intersection. They are not.
Open up a notebook, physical or digital, doesn’t matter.
Now comes the hard work. Become a reader.
“Read what you like until you like to read.” (@naval)
And meanwhile, take breaks to write down things that give you energy, things that inspire you, ideas you generate.
Do this every single day, even if it’s only for 10 minutes. During breakfast, instead of emailing. While the food is cooking. Doesn’t matter, find the time, this is your life we’re talking about.
Pay attention to what emerges. Find circles of people who spend time on the same topics, start conversations, explore related experiences, jobs, whatever.
Do it all the time. It will compound, and compound interest is hard to appreciate until you look backward, so just trust me.
You will be happier, your passions will start to guide your decision making and your decision making will guide your experiences and the opportunities you say yes to.
Those opportunities will feel like luck. They are not. But that is how luck works.
Good luck.
See you Monday.