“That Author Must Have Gotten Lucky” And Other Lies

Whenever we see someone who is successful in the publishing realm, we rarely hear, “Wow, that author must have been really focused and worked really hard and persevered despite setbacks to become so successful.”

Instead we  hear, “Oh, that author must have gotten lucky.”

Or we think this, right?

And even if we don’t consciously think it, on some level we are probably grumbling, Mutter, mutter, lucky, mutter, mutter.

Maybe we think lucky, but we don’t want to admit even to ourselves that luck is what we project onto other peoples’ successes.

Last time I checked, however, luck had nothing to do with my own successes, my students’ successes, the writers I have interviewed or profiled, or the success stories of writers whom I admire from afar.

The proof is everywhere. In fact, most of the real experts, including me, all say the same thing about publishing success:

Set a goal and focus on it and don’t give up until you achieve it.

Work hard, then work even harder, then work harder than you ever thought you could.

Expect setbacks and then they won’t throw you.

As long as we believe that successful people are lucky, then we have a built in excuse not to try, not to work hard, not to set a goal, and not to bother hanging in there for the long run.

I believe in good timing. I’ve had it before and I have it again all the time.

But all the good timing in the world won’t matter unless you set a goal, do the work, and consistently put yourself out there.

That’s not luck, that’s consistency.

If you want to maximize your luck, be sure you are always working, so that when a wave of good timing comes, you will be in position to make the most of it.

If you want “luck,” stop believing in it and start believing in your own hard work instead.

I have seen it a thousand times. When writers focus and set goals and work hard…guess what happens?

What we call luck.

So, what are you waiting for?

Go and create your own!

~ Four-leaf clover by Thomas Münter