How to Make Your Own Luck

Luck Isn’t Random—It’s Almost Always People-Driven

The first myth to tackle is that luck “just happens.” In reality, it’s nearly always the result of interactions with people. Think about any time you’ve gotten a lucky break. Maybe someone tipped you off to an investment, recommended you for a new role, or simply introduced you to someone who became a valuable connection. Those aren’t accidents; they’re moments of luck passed directly from one person to another.

To create luck, you have to get into the right circles—people who can open doors. Luck isn’t about waiting around prepared; it’s about actively showing up, making connections, and stacking the deck in your favor.

Your Routine Might Be Blocking You from Real Luck

The truth is, you won’t find luck by repeating the same routine day in and day out. For many, that routine is locked: wake up, commute, work, head home. You’ll likely see the same people and places each day, and if you’re not creating new connections, luck will remain elusive.

Building luck requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Instead of going to the same spots with the same people, break up the routine. Hit up the right places—country clubs, high-end coffee shops, lounges where you’ll rub shoulders with people who can make a difference. Take out the headphones, walk with confidence, and be open to new conversations. You’d be surprised at how much starts happening when you get out of autopilot and actually engage with people in high-value spaces.

Focus on Quality Venues and Find Your People

Your environment matters – choose places where you’re likely to meet influential, forward-thinking people. Spending every weekend at the same old dive bar might be social, but it isn’t going to lead to any significant connections. If you’re serious about creating opportunities, you need to be where high-caliber people hang out – upscale bars, lounges, members-only clubs, and spots where ambition and success are common among patrons.

Show up where you naturally fit in. You’ll make better connections with people who share your interests, background, or culture. If you’re great at tennis, join the local club. If you prefer wine tasting, become a member at a local upscale tasting room. Luck flows more easily when you’re genuine and surrounded by like-minded people who understand and trust you.

No Passive Activities

Creating luck is an active game, not a passive one. If you want better opportunities, replace activities that isolate you (like watching TV or getting takeout) with ones that expand your social network. Instead of ordering lunch at your desk, become a regular at a high-quality lunch spot or restaurant where you can consistently meet new people. Your presence and familiarity build rapport, leading to real, lasting connections.

Consistently engaging with others increases your odds exponentially. If your chances are low with any single interaction, remember that showing up again and again compounds those chances. Make it a regular part of your week to be out there, even if it means swapping passive downtime for something more intentional.

Forget the “401k Mindset”—Invest in Opportunities, Not Savings

Let’s get one thing straight: the 401k mindset is the enemy of luck. Saving and protecting are fine, but they won’t lead you to new opportunities. People rarely get “lucky” from a 401k because it’s predictable, incremental, and does nothing to expand your network. Creating luck requires risk—investing in people, places, and experiences, even if there’s no immediate ROI.

It may sound frivolous, but spending to be where high-leverage people are is strategic. Think of it as funding your future network. Consider what you’re saving and ask if it’s worth missing out on the potential gains of meeting a new mentor, partner, or investor. You could save $10,000 over the next year, or you could use that $10,000 to join a golf club where millionaires congregate. One route might feel safer, but the other has far more upside if you want to change your luck for the better.

The Bottom Line

Luck doesn’t find you by chance; it’s built through the choices you make to get out there, show up, and invest in yourself. Instead of a “save every penny” approach, think of luck as something you create by putting yourself in the right environments and with the right people. Real luck isn’t about cutting costs; it’s about opening doors that lead to opportunities beyond what you could have planned. So next time you think about saving money, ask yourself instead: How much could I gain by using that money to build a network worth millions?