Is there really such a thing called “luck”? Why do some people seem luckier than others? Oprah Winfrey, a famous host on an American talk show, says that: “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity. If you hadn’t been prepared when the opportunity came along, you wouldn’t have been lucky”. What the speaker is trying to say is that we must exert all efforts if we want to achieve a certain goal. Thus, when the right time comes, there is an increased probability that everything will turn out in our favor.
In my opinion, what Oprah Winfrey said was correct. We should not rely on lucky charms, horoscopes, Feng Shui, prayers, chance or destiny. Good fortune does not suddenly appear at our doorsteps or fall from the sky like manna from heaven. The realization of our dreams does not happen by mere coincidence. Luck, I believe, can be achieved by taking the appropriate action. It is essential that we strive for something that we want to attain in life. It requires hard work and determination.
One good example is the opportunity of being interviewed for a job. We must prepare for it by updating our resume, reviewing answers to the possible questions, researching on the company background, finding tips on how to behave during an interview, choosing the right clothes to wear, and so on. By doing so, it is more likely that we will do well during the interview, make a good impression and be fortunate enough to land the job.
As for my personal experience, I enrolled for a course in Medical Secretarial Studies. I studied while working at the same time. I spent nights reviewing and doing my assignments with barely enough sleep for months. All my hard work finally paid off when I got my certification. My current employer then offered me an Administrative Assistant position in just a few weeks after. If I had not enrolled and gained my certification, I would not have been qualified for my present position.
I, therefore conclude, that some people seem luckier than others for the simple reason that they are more proactive and diligent. They do not procrastinate. They do not settle for mediocrity. Instead, they always do the very best that they can in getting ready for the right occasion.
References
American Talk Show Host Oprah Winfrey (2010) “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity. If you hadn’t been prepared when the opportunity came along, you wouldn’t have been lucky” (Thought for Today, Retrieved August 8, 2016 from http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Thought-for-Today-Luck, p.1)
