Chase, Chance & Creativity Luck
When someone says, “you got lucky”
Once upon a time, there was a young man named Jack who lived in a small village at the foot of a mountain. Jack was ambitious and wanted to climb the mountain, but he didn’t know how to get started. He asked the villagers for advice and they all told him the same thing: “Climbing the mountain is a matter of luck.”
Jack didn’t believe that luck was the only factor in climbing the mountain. He knew that it would take hard work, determination, and the right mindset. So, he set out to climb the mountain with the understanding that luck played a role, but it wasn’t the only factor.
As Jack climbed the mountain, he discovered that there were four types of luck that helped him along the way. These types of luck are what neurologist Dr. James Austin calls “Chase, Chance, and Creativity” in his book of the same name.
The first type of luck that Jack encountered was “Chase Luck.” This type of luck is when you actively pursue something and put in the hard work to achieve it. For example, Jack knew that he needed to be physically fit to climb the mountain, so he trained for months before setting out. He also made sure to have the right equipment and to study the mountain’s terrain.
This type of luck is something that Jack could control and was a direct result of the effort he put in.
The second type of luck that Jack encountered was “Chance Luck.” This type of luck is when things happen unexpectedly and are out of your control. For example, while climbing the mountain, Jack encountered a storm that forced him to take shelter in a cave.
This was something that he couldn’t control and was just luck of the draw. However, even with this setback, Jack didn’t let it discourage him. He knew that he couldn’t control the weather, but he could control how he responded to it.
The third type of luck that Jack encountered was “Creativity Luck.” This type of luck is when you use your imagination and come up with new ideas to solve problems. For example, while in the cave, Jack realized that he could use the cave’s natural warmth to dry his clothes and equipment.
This was something that he wouldn’t have thought of if he hadn’t been forced to take shelter in the cave. This type of luck is something that Jack could control and was a direct result of his ability to think creatively.
The fourth type of luck that Jack encountered was “Coincidence Luck.” This type of luck is when things happen by chance, but they are not necessarily good or bad. For example, while climbing the mountain, Jack came across a group of climbers who were also trying to summit.
They had different routes and different goals, but they were all climbing the same mountain. This was a coincidence, but it didn’t have a direct impact on Jack’s climb.
In the end, Jack did summit the mountain, and it was a combination of all four types of luck that helped him to achieve his goal. Dr. Austin writes in “Chase, Chance, & Creativity” that “Luck is not simply a matter of chance, it’s a combination of skill, hard work, and the ability to think creatively.”
Jack’s experience on the mountain taught him that luck plays a role in achieving success, but it’s not the only factor. He learned that the most important thing is to keep an open mind, be willing to adapt, and to never give up.
As Jack sat on the summit, he looked back at the mountain and realized that it was not just luck that got him there, but his determination, hard work, and ability to think creatively. He knew that these traits would be the key to achieving success in all aspects of his life.
He also realized that luck is not something that you can control, but rather something that you can influence. By actively pursuing your goals, being open to unexpected opportunities, and thinking creatively, you can increase your chances of luck working in your favor.
In conclusion, luck is not just a matter of chance, but a combination of skill, hard work, and the ability to think creatively. The four types of luck that Dr. James Austin wrote about in “Chase, Chance, & Creativity” are Chase Luck, Chance Luck, Creativity Luck, and Coincidence Luck.
Each type of luck plays a role in achieving success, but it’s important to remember that luck is not the only factor. By actively pursuing your goals, being open to unexpected opportunities, and thinking creatively, you can increase your chances of luck working in your favor.
