Making Your Own Luck: A Guide to Building Your Character and Seizing Opportunities

Luck is a funny thing. It seems like some people are just born lucky, while others struggle to catch a break. But what if I told you that luck isn’t something that just happens to you – it’s something you can create for yourself? That’s the philosophy behind Naval Ravikant’s quote: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”

Now, before you write that off as some kind of motivational nonsense, hear me out. What Naval is saying is that the kind of luck you create for yourself is directly tied to the kind of person you are. If you build your character in a way that makes you trustworthy, reliable, and hardworking, then you’ll find that opportunities start coming your way.

Think about it like this: if you’re a talented diver, treasure hunters will seek you out to help them find treasure. Similarly, if you’re a dealmaker with a reputation for integrity, other people will come to you with deals that they wouldn’t trust anyone else to handle. Warren Buffett is a perfect example of this – he’s built such a strong reputation for himself that he gets offered deals that other people can only dream of.

But here’s the catch: building your character isn’t easy. It takes time, effort, and a lot of hard work. It means making tough decisions, sticking to your values even when it’s difficult, and always striving to be the best version of yourself. It means being a little bit eccentric, pushing boundaries, and exploring new frontiers.

So, how do you go about building your character? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question, but I can tell you a few things that have worked for me.

First, focus on your strengths. Identify the things that you’re good at, and find ways to leverage those strengths to create value for yourself and others. Whether it’s programming, writing, or marketing, there’s always a way to turn your skills into something valuable.

Second, cultivate relationships. You never know who might be able to help you down the line, so it’s important to build a network of people you trust and respect. Be genuine, be kind, and always look for ways to add value to other people’s lives.

Finally, be persistent. Building your character is a long-term project, and you’re going to face plenty of setbacks along the way. But if you keep pushing forward, learning from your mistakes, and staying true to your values, you’ll find that opportunities start coming your way.

So, if you want to make your own luck, start by building your character. Be the kind of person that people want to do business with, and you’ll find that luck has a way of finding you. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Trust me.