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In my Ten Ways self-help manual, I referred to a definition of luck given by someone as: “when preparation meets opportunity”. Well, that was just one of the many definitions of luck that have been given by people who have achieved success (see more below). Some people always try to explain away another person’s success (or lack of it) as being due to luck (or bad luck). But the fact remains very obvious to anyone who will take an objective look at the issue. There is NO shortcut. Lasting success, very frequently, comes to those who apply themselves with commitment to a chosen cause.

(This article is one of twenty-five(25) contained in Tayo Solagbade’s Ebook – published in 2005 – titled “25 Articles/True Stories On Self-Development, Entrepeneuring & Web Marketing To Help You Succeed More Often“)

Those who take action to relentlessly pursue their heart’s desire, often end up achieving that which they seek. Time and time again we have seen this happen.

Entrepreneurs who achieve significant business successes are often those who persisted in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks, till they achieved their objective.

Those who failed were inevitably the ones who lacked the will or “mental/emotional stamina” to keep fighting till they got what they wanted.

As so many successful entrepreneurs have pointed out time and time again, it is NOT possible for an entrepreneur to fail – s/he can only give up. This is because for as long as s/he keeps trying to succeed, making needed adjustments to his/her plan based on recorded failures, success will eventually be achieved.

Having faith in oneself, and refusing to recognise temporary defeat or setbacks, no matter how devastating, as failure, is bound to result in achievement of the desired goal.

There is nothing– right or wrong – which belief backed by desire will not bring to reality – Napoleon Hill

In effect, the truth is that entrepreneurs who achieve their desired successes, are often not luckier than those who don’t. If anything, they are people who put in everything they had to realise their ambitions. Very often, “everything” here would even include the last of their personal assets – this being a good indication of their level of conviction and commitment.

By so doing, they greatly increase their chances of success when opportunities came their way. Any entrepreneur who wishes to achieve similar (or greater) feats will simply have to do the same(or more).

Bill Byrne in his book, “Habits of Wealth – 111 Proven Strategies That Will Change The Way You Do Business Forever” explained that even though accidents do occur in nature, those who are lucky tend not to be selected accidentally.

Citing the example of iron will displayed by Colombus in boldly sailing the seas, which resulted in his “luckily” discovering East India, Byrne observed that most times, what many people interpret as luck, is only the final visible result of preceeding prolonged periods of diligent hard work, and persistence.

Here are a few more experience-inspired quotes, which underscore the point being made that those who end up being “lucky” are (as Bill Byrne said) NOT randomly selected. 

“The harder I work, the luckier I get”

“Luck frequently visits the prepared mind”

“Luck is the residue of diligence.”