"Je suis un grand croyant dans la chance, et je trouve que plus je travaille dur, plus j'en ai."

Believing in luck is one thing, but attributing success solely to it is another. The essence of this statement is that luck isn’t just a random blessing that falls from the sky; it’s often the result of hard work and dedication. Essentially, the more effort you put into something, the more opportunities you create for yourself to get "lucky."

Historically, this idea has been echoed by countless successful individuals across various fields. It’s often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, though versions of it have been expressed by many over the years. The context here is the age-old debate between luck and hard work. People who achieve great things are frequently asked if they think luck played a role. Those who understand the grind behind the scenes know that while luck may have given them a nudge, it was their relentless effort that set the stage.

Think about athletes. Michael Jordan, for instance, is often praised for his extraordinary talent. But what many people don't see are the countless hours he spent practicing, the early mornings and late nights. Jordan himself has said that he missed more than 9,000 shots in his career, lost almost 300 games, and 26 times he was trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. But all those failures and the hard work in between created the "luck" of his six NBA titles.

So how can you apply this idea in your life? Start by recognizing that every bit of effort you put into your work, your relationships, or your personal development makes you more “lucky.” It’s about consistently showing up and putting in the work, even when you don’t see immediate results. If you want to learn a new skill, for instance, dedicate time to practice daily. Those little bits of effort accumulate over time, creating a larger pool of opportunities—or luck—that you can tap into.

Imagine this: You’re in college, and you’ve got this dream internship in mind. You know it’s competitive. Instead of just hoping you’ll get lucky and land it, you dive into action. You network with professionals in the field, you polish your resume to perfection, you practice your interview skills, and you even take on relevant projects or part-time jobs to gain experience. By the time you apply, you’ve transformed into a strong candidate. Your hard work makes it more likely that you’ll get the internship, but to an outsider, it might just look like you got lucky.

Even in everyday situations, this wisdom holds true. Let’s say you want a promotion at work. If you consistently go above and beyond, take initiative, and develop your skills, you’re positioning yourself as the clear choice when an opportunity arises. Sure, there might be an element of timing or being in the right place at the right time, but your hard work is what places you in that position.

So, next time you think about luck, remember it’s not some magical force that bestows success upon a chosen few. It’s something you can actively cultivate through dedication and hard work. And hey, the harder you work, the more “luck” you’ll find.