You know what? For a long time, I thought some people were just born lucky. They always seemed to get the best jobs, meet the right people, and have everything fall perfectly into place.
But after years of watching and learning, I realized something important: luck isn’t magic — it’s something you build.
The people we call “lucky” aren’t just sitting around waiting for good things to happen. They’re out there working, learning, and preparing themselves. When opportunity knocks, they’re ready to open the door.
Let me share what I’ve learned about creating your own luck, based on my journey from a bookstore clerk to a bookstore owner.
Why Some People Seem Luckier Than Others
Here’s the truth: luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Think about it this way — if you want to catch fish, you have to be in the right place with the right equipment. You can’t catch anything if you’re sitting at home wishing for fish to appear on your table.
The same goes for life. The more you prepare yourself, the more opportunities you’ll recognize and be able to grab when they come your way.
1. Never Stop Learning New Things
This is where it all starts. The more you know, the more valuable you become. And when you’re valuable, opportunities start finding you instead of you chasing them.
My Story: From Selling Books to Understanding Books
Back in 2001, I started working as a clerk at a bookstore. For three years, I helped customers, organized shelves, and learned everything I could about selling books. But honestly? I felt like something was missing.
I knew plenty about selling books, but I didn’t really understand how they were made — and that bothered me. How could I truly understand the book business if I only knew half the story?
So in 2004, I did something that changed my life. I walked into my manager’s office and asked if I could also work in the printing department. It wasn’t an easy request because I was already busy with my regular job. But I knew this was important.
My manager agreed, and suddenly I was learning a completely new side of the business. I saw how books went from ideas to printed pages. I understood the challenges, the costs, and the creative process behind publishing.
That decision opened doors I never even knew existed. It wasn’t luck — it was me preparing myself for future opportunities.
What You Can Do
- Take an online course in something that interests you.
- Read books outside your usual topics.
- Ask to learn new tasks at your current job.
- Watch educational videos on YouTube.
- Practice a new skill for 30 minutes every day.
Every new thing you learn is like adding another tool to your toolbox. You never know when you’ll need it.
2. Build Real Relationships with People
Here’s something I learned the hard way: almost every good opportunity in life comes through people. Not through luck. Not through random chance. Through human connections.
Coffee, Conversations, and Connections
When I started working with the printing team, I didn’t just learn the technical stuff. I made it a point to connect with the people doing the work.
Almost every week, I’d invite one or two colleagues for coffee. Nothing fancy — just a casual chat. And here’s what I did: I genuinely listened to them.
I’d ask about their day, compliment their work when they did something well, and most importantly, I’d ask about their challenges. What problems were they facing? What made their job difficult?
You know what happened? Two amazing things:
First, they became my friends — real friends who looked out for me and wanted to help me succeed.
Second, I learned things no book could teach me. They shared insider knowledge, industry secrets, and practical wisdom that came from years of experience.
Those coffee conversations weren’t the kind of fake networking where people just swap business cards. They were real human connections — and those connections became some of the most valuable “lucky breaks” in my career.
How to Build Your Network
- Be genuinely interested in other people’s stories.
- Ask questions and actually listen to the answers.
- Offer help before you need help.
- Stay in touch — send a message just to say hello.
- Remember important details about people’s lives.
- Always be kind, even when there’s nothing to gain.
Building a network isn’t about collecting contacts. It’s about creating real friendships and genuine relationships.
3. Take Risks (Even When You’re Scared)
This is the tough one. Because let’s be honest — taking risks is scary. What if you fail? What if people laugh at you? What if you lose money or time or both?
But here’s what I learned: you’ll never create luck by playing it safe.
The Leap That Changed Everything
By 2012, I’d been in the book industry for over a decade. I knew how to sell books. I knew how to print them. I understood the business inside and out.
But I was still working for someone else.
I had a crazy dream: to open my own bookstore. Every time I thought about it, my heart would race — partly from excitement, partly from fear. The questions kept coming: What if nobody comes? What if I run out of money? What if I fail?
But I also knew that if I didn’t try, I’d spend the rest of my life wondering “what if?”
So I took the leap. I opened my first bookstore.
Was it scary? Absolutely. Were there tough days? More than I can count. But it was also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. That bookstore wasn’t just a business — it was living proof that preparation and courage create opportunity.
Start Small, But Start
You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow or invest your life savings. You can start small:
- Share your ideas with trusted friends.
- Start a side project on weekends.
- Take a course that moves you toward your dream.
- Apply for that job you think you’re not ready for
- Pitch that idea you’ve been sitting on
Every successful person has a story about the risk they took. And almost all of them will tell you: “I was terrified, but I did it anyway.”
4. Stay Positive and Be Grateful
This might sound simple, but trust me — your attitude shapes your luck.
People who complain all the time and see problems everywhere rarely attract opportunities. But people who stay positive and grateful? They’re like magnets for good things.
Why Positivity Matters
When I faced challenges with my bookstore (and believe me, there were plenty), I had a choice: I could focus on what was going wrong, or I could focus on what I could learn and how I could improve.
I chose to see every problem as a lesson. Every setback is preparation for something better. And every difficult customer or tough day is practice for handling future challenges.
This mindset didn’t just make me happier — it made me better at spotting opportunities. While others saw obstacles, I started seeing possibilities.
Practice Gratitude Daily
- Start your day by thinking of three things you’re grateful for
- Thank people sincerely when they help you
- Look for the lesson in every setback.
- Celebrate small wins, not just big ones.
- Surround yourself with positive people.
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring problems. It’s about not letting problems blind you to opportunities.
Putting It All Together: Your Luck Formula
Here’s what creating your own luck really looks like:
- Learn constantly: You become more capable and valuable.
- Build relationships: Opportunities come through people.
- Take calculated risks: You create chances for success.
- Stay positive: You recognize opportunities when they appear.
It’s not complicated, but it does require consistent effort. The good news? You can start today — right now — with one small action.
My Final Thoughts
Looking back at my journey — from a bookstore clerk in 2001 to a bookstore owner in 2012 — I can honestly say that luck had very little to do with it.
What looked like “lucky breaks” to outsiders were actually the result of years of preparation, relationship-building, and having the courage to take risks.
The best part? You can do this too. You don’t need to be born into the right family, go to the best schools, or know important people. You just need to commit to these four principles and work at them consistently.
Your lucky break is coming — but it won’t fall from the sky. You’ll build it, step by step, day by day.
So what’s one thing you can do today to start creating your own luck? Pick one thing from this article and take action. That’s how it begins.
And who knows? Maybe in a few years, someone will look at you and say, “Wow, you’re so lucky!”
And you’ll smile, because you’ll know the truth: you created that luck yourself.
