"I am not lucky. You know what I am? I am smart. I am talented. I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I work really, really hard. Don't call me lucky. Call me a badass"

The core idea here is pretty straightforward: success isn't about luck. It's about being smart, talented, recognizing opportunities, and working your butt off. This person is saying, "Hey, my achievements aren’t about some random stroke of good fortune. I've earned them."

Think back to when this might have been said. Maybe it was during an interview after someone just landed a big promotion or finished a challenging project successfully. Sometimes, people attribute others' success to luck because it's easier than acknowledging the sheer amount of effort and skill involved. But the one who’s really invested knows the truth.

Alright, let's look at a real-life example. Picture Serena Williams. She’s one of the greatest tennis players ever. Now, some might look at her and say, "Wow, she's so lucky to have that much talent." But if you dive into her story, you’ll see it's about a lot more than just talent. She’s spent countless hours on the court, training, pushing herself, and refusing to give up, even when faced with injuries or setbacks. Her success is a mix of intelligence, seizing the right opportunities, and a relentless work ethic.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? First off, ditch the idea of luck. Stop waiting for the stars to align perfectly. Focus on honing your skills and working hard. When opportunities pop up, jump on them. Don't be afraid to recognize your own talent and intelligence. And when you achieve something, give yourself credit for the hard work you put in.

Let's make this even more relatable with a scenario. Imagine you're at a coffee shop (hey, maybe the one we're chatting in right now) and you overhear two friends talking. One just got accepted into a top university. The friend says, "Wow, you're so lucky!" But the new student shakes their head and says, "Luck? I spent years studying, staying up late, and pushing through tough classes. This wasn’t luck. This was me putting in the effort."

You get what I mean? It's about recognizing that while luck might play a tiny role, it's your dedication and hard work that truly pave the way. So next time someone calls you lucky, correct them. Tell them about the late nights, the sacrifices, and the persistence.

To sum it all up, being labeled as "lucky" can sometimes feel like an understatement, a dismissal of your hard-earned achievements. Embrace the fact that you’re smart, talented, and dedicated. Own your journey. Keep pushing, keep working hard, and when you succeed, remember—it wasn’t luck. It was you being a total badass.

So, let’s raise our coffee mugs to that. Here's to hard work, taking opportunities, and being the smart, talented individuals we are. Cheers!