The Power of Positioning Yourself

Two people can do the exact same thing but get two different results. This isn't just a random occurrence; it's a fundamental truth of business and life. While we often attribute these differences to luck, the reality is more complex. Luck is not something you can control, but you can control positioning yourself to be lucky.

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. We share how this mindset can be applied to any aspect of life, from your career to your personal relationships. When you stop doing something because someone is watching and instead commit to doing your best every time, regardless of who is there, you build a foundation of consistency. This consistency is the preparation that makes you ready when opportunity presents itself.

Consider the example of a car salesman who wasn't hitting his targets. He was feeling discouraged, but he decided to try a new strategy: he would be the first person at the dealership every day. For the first few days, nothing changed. But on the fifth day, two customers were waiting when he arrived. He was the only one there and was ready to serve them. He got the sale because he was prepared for an opportunity he couldn't have anticipated. He wasn't lucky; he had positioned himself to be lucky.

The conversation goes deeper than just preparation, however. It also touches on alignment. Some may call it the stars aligning, others call it karma, and for those of faith, it's a divine purpose. Regardless of what you call it, alignment is about being in the right place at the right time. For example, the iPhone's success wasn't just about its innovative design; it was also about timing. Had it been released in the early 2000s, before 3G technology was widespread, it would have failed.

This idea of alignment also highlights the importance of innovation. A successful business must be innovative enough to take advantage of the technology and resources available. You must constantly be asking, "What can I do to push my product or service out there?"

We touch on the mental game of success. Sometimes, you may self-sabotage and not take the necessary measures to break out of a certain state. This is why consistency is so important. It helps you build the mental fortitude to keep going even when you're not seeing immediate results.

When you're consistently doing the work and preparing yourself, you don't have time to look back and cry over spilled milk. Focusing on what you didn't do will make you miss the opportunities right in front of you. It's about learning from the past, focusing on the future, and doing your best in the present. Even if you get a lucky break, it's what you do after that counts. Luck can get you to a certain level, but consistency and hard work are what keep you there.

Ultimately, whether you call it luck, alignment, or divine intervention, the core principle remains the same: you have to position yourself for success. It's about doing your part and having faith in your efforts. Consistency beats everything, and if you keep showing up prepared, you will increase your chances of creating your own luck.

Thank you for reading THE ASCENT, a production of Beyond The Grind.
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Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/B1iKP0BVS-E.