...Luck or Opportunity "Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity” is a quote from Oprah Winfrey, a famous American talk show host. The speaker is trying to tell people that good preparation for opportunity is the key to be successful, not luck. Luck is really being ready for something, perhaps unconsciously, so that you recognize it when you see it. When whatever it is comes along, it will seem to be a stroke of luck, but in reality it is not luck at all. It is something you have strived and worked towards, maybe without even knowing it, so that when it presents itself it seems second nature. I agree with Winfrey because I believe that preparation is more important. My agreement is based on the following reasons. The first reason is that opportunity is very transient and rare, so we must grab it whenever we meet it. In my opinion, grabbing opportunity means to get ready and be well-prepared. Take Oprah Winfrey for example. Before she became a well-known national TV host, she worked in a local station for many years and had gone to uncountable interviews. Without her experiences, she could not have gotten the interview for national TV host and become successful. Second, preparation is always advantageous and never harmful to us. Preparation requires motivation, activity and carefulness. Those who most frequently experience outcomes viewed by society as unlucky live lives which exhibit little evidence of motivation, activity and care. When preparing for something...
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...Luck is Very Important for Success Luck can be regarded as what happens to a person beyond his control, and it can be interpreted in various ways as according to a rationalist luck includes the function of the system of probability and an ignorance of unscientific beliefs. Another face of the luck refers to a series of spiritual or divine philosophy termed as fortune; several people consider that luck can be influenced through performing certain rituals by spiritual means. This belief varies from one to another person, as some says that luck is a belief of fortunate and unfortunate events in an organization or a meaningful coincidence as per Carl Jung philosophy (The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman). Success or failure in business or in any other field is the result of a person’s own deeds as practically it can be accepted that one of the essential thing to be successful– being fearless! Here it is noticeable that fearless person feels confidence and able to take best decisions in any circumstance. The role of luck in success can be viewed as 30-50% successful inventions are the result of some degree accidental mistakes while setting up the experiment, sometimes when experiments fail or don’t work and a person who could have been famous unluckily gives up too soon, whereas because of some awful breaks, a great scientist becomes a sales man (The Book of Luck by Summers & Watson). This proves that success and failure are just a throw of the dice, luck favors the prepared mind...
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...familiar? Don’t our lives seem, sometimes, the result of a game of dice being played by someone/something bigger than ourselves, even bigger than life itself? Just the fact that we are who we are is nothing but a result of chance. This statement, beyond its recklessness appearance, has an explanation consisting of three moments of existences that are determined by the roulette. The first one goes back to before we’re born. Have you ever thought of how many billions of chances were there when your parents’ genetic material mixed to create you? I, for instance, could’ve been blond, tall and smart. Or short and dumb. Or anything. But, somehow, I turned out to be me, out of what appear to be infinite chances of who I could’ve been. And this process follows no logic or intervention from our part: is the work of randomness. The second moment, chronologically, involves our environment. Where we’re born, who our parents are, and the rest of conditions that welcome us to this world are the sort of aspects I include in this side of this pyramidal die. The third and final moment is composed of the things that are choices in our lives. This is also a consequence of luck because the construction of ourselves is the outcome of the decisions we make, which have a luck component. That...
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...“Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity." Have you ever heard people talk about the things they would do if they won the lottery, and yet a large percentage of these people never go out and buy a ticket. These people have exactly a zero chance of winning, while the ones who went out and bought a ticket have a chance, albeit slim, at becoming lucky. This is the scenario that came to mind when I first read the quote “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity”. However, the more I thought about the quote, the more I realized how easily this could be applied to many real life situations. The author of this quote is trying to tell the readers that preparing yourself for opportunity is the key to being lucky, or successful. In order to prepare yourself for success, there are certain steps that must take place. First, you have to believe in yourself. You must believe that you can pick the lucky numbers, or you must believe that you are capable of competing in, let’s say a marathon. Second, you have to set goals for yourself. In the case of the lottery it’s pretty easy; Goal #1, buy ticket. Goal #2, wait. In the marathon scenario, much like most other scenarios, it’s a little more complicated. You must train both physically and mentally, and make many sacrifices along the way. Finally, you must be optimistic about the result you achieve. In the case of the lottery player, they probably didn’t win. But at least they can try again in a few days, right? The marathon...
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...Oprah Winfrey is quoted as saying, "Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity". This statement reflects the notion that without preparation, many cherished opportunities would be lost. As an inspiration to many people, Oprah is trying to convey the thought that you are unable to be success without doing the heavy lifting required. The concept of heavy lifting can be interpreted in many ways. Hours spent studying, days spent pounding the pavement, weeks spent researching an idea, or years spent honing a craft. All of these tasks are an attempt to prepare for something. That something could be called opportunity. Many in society today look upon the successful as lucky. There is a feeling that opportunity comes to those who know someone. If you speak with successful people, there are the fortunately ones who achieve due to family influences or just the notion of being at the right place at the right time. However, most people spent years preparing for the moment of opportunity. When the moment hit, it is seized upon, and that is sometimes considered luck by other. In reviewing the notion of this question, one must ask if you want to take the literal meaning, or figurative meaning of the statement. If taken literally, one must think that luck is needed for opportunity. Figuratively, the statement reflects that anyone can make their own luck. Being prepared, doing the work that others are unwilling or unable to do, will be the reward itself. Opportunity comes...
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...dead is that we were born in the US and we usually got what we wanted quickly. The people who immigrate here is because they want to improve their lives and they can't do it from where they come from. The American Dream is a reality; every citizen of the United States of America has the opportunity of achieving something better no matter what prejudices they may face, but it also depends on their perseverance and luck. The term “The American Dream” has a many interpretations, but one of the most popular is from the Declaration of Independence. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. In simpler terms, The American Dream is the opportunity of the pursuit of freedom, and satisfaction of needs and wants. As Thomas Wolfe said, “ ...to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ...the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him”. This quote explains how everyone in the U.S. as the right to the American Dream: to function as a member of society and to pursue their hopes and dreams. If you come to America underprivileged or poor, then you have the chance to turn that around through hard work and determination; also if they get lucky. In other words, some people will be able to work hard and achieve their dreams, while others will work hard and not end up being fortunate enough to complete their goals....
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...battle, the Spanish were not well prepared and made many mistakes. And last but not least the terrible weather and bad luck had an impact on the outcome....
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...civilians other than the way they dress, because underneath all the clothing, they are just ordinary people. During the war, soldiers live every day knowing that at any possible moment that their lives could be over. Men, who are barely twenty years old, who have yet to live, must wake up each day knowing they may never get a chance to have a life outside of the war. One day as Bäumer and the rest of the men in his blockade head to the front lines they notice a pile of freshly made coffins, and as Detering points out, are all made for those of them that may die that day (Remarque 99). Bäumer recalls of a day when he traveled from one dugout to another to visit friends and one he returned the entire dug-out was blown to pieces- it was only a matter of luck that he wasn’t killed that day (Remarque 101). The soldiers involved in the war were constantly involved near death experiences, and as Bäumer points out “no soldier outlives a thousand chances. But every soldier believes in Chance and trusts his luck” (Remarque 101). This shows that the only thing that the soldiers have to think they may survive is their own luck, and that for many eventually that luck will run out. The soldiers lives have become completely consumed the war, and in many ways causes them to lose a great sense of connection with what is going on around them. As Paul is attempting to retreat one day he notices an enemy rise up in the distance, Bäumer sees two eyes and a beard watching him, he attempts to throw...
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...The definition of “God” is the supernatural that is conceived as the perfect, omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe. God is the object of worship in monotheistic religions. After having studied this subject frequently back in the past and this chapter, there are many arguments for the existence of God such as the cosmological, the teleological, the ontological, and the moral arguments, etc. Although they are very powerful arguments, each one of them also has their own weakness. There are not only arguments towards the existence of God; however, there are also arguments against God as well. These are called the Empirical, Deductive, Inductive, and Subjective arguments. But, again, these arguments each also have their own strengths and weaknesses just like the arguments for the existence of God. One popular form of the Cosmological argument states that things exist and it is possible for those things to not exist; there is an uncaused caused for everything that has been brought into existence. So, according to this argument, the cause and what created the universe must have been God’s doing. However, this argument is thought by some to be completely illogical, as God would have to be caused as well. So, if God had a cause, what created God? Then there must be a higher power even above God. But yet, God is supposed to be all-powerful. Maybe it created itself? How is that possible? Perhaps the universe was always there, perhaps God was always there. I am...
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...The life of Oprah Winfrey is the quintessential American success story. I agree with her when she says, "Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity." In fact, I have a similar understanding about luck from my own career, though mine is on a much smaller scale. When success comes, it comes in different ways. Some people are successful based on nothing but hard work, though this is unusual. If your definition of success today is to move a large pile of rocks from one place to another, and all you have are your two hands, then you do not require much luck. Though it may rain or hail, you can just continue plugging along, moving rocks until you are finished with the task. More often, though, success results from of a combination of factors. A farmer may work hard tending his fields, but he must have the right combination of sunshine and rain in order to grow a crop. A football team may do everything right in an effort to win a game, but most times the team on the losing side makes one or two mistakes as well. In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell challenges the notion of individual merit alone being enough to achieve great success. In one example, he produces evidence that great hockey players are often great not only because of their hard work, but often also because they were born earlier in the year, and youth hockey leagues base their age cutoffs on the calendar year. This gives kids who were born earlier in the year an advantage. They are bigger...
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...When a situation is vague or risky, some people find it comforting to make a routine to give them a sense of security and greater control. This routine has the potential to develop into a ritualistic practice that fluctuates depending on the results. Although some would not admit it, the games of sports have deep roots in the realm of superstitions. It is a game of chance in which players have little control over the outcome of their hard work and fans have an even more reduced role in the result. In normal, daily situations, I do not consider myself a superstitious person. Yet, when I'm watching my favorite sport (basketball) I do find myself engaging in illogical activities. These rituals take control of me and I find myself replicating such actions in hopes of continuing a streak. I have always been captivated with the thought of luck and sports. However, it was not until I was about 9 years old when at least I thought my superstition held a direct impact on the outcome of a game. I was watching a very important basketball game, Game 6 of the NBA Finals June 14, 1998. The defending champion Chicago Bulls went up against the Utah Jazz. Of course I, like every other kid on the planet was a Bulls fan and more importantly a Michael Jordan fan. The stage was set for Michael and the Bulls to win a third straight title after a two season hideous from Michael to pursue his baseball career. With one minute to go the score was tied 83 – 83. Jordan just hit two big free throws. As...
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...and opportunity that drives people to push their own limits and persevere in order to lead successful lives and achieve whatever goals they set. The American Dream is a reality; every citizen of the United States of America has the opportunity of its achievement no matter what prejudices they may face, depending on their perseverance and luck. The term “ The American Dream” has a few interpretations, but one of the most popular is “ Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Declaration of Independence1) which is the dream that most Americans strive for. In simpler terms, The American Dream is the opportunity of the pursuit of freedom, opportunity and satisfaction of needs and wants. As Thomas Wolfe said, “ ...to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ...the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him” (Wolfe2). This quote explains how everyone in the United States gets the right to fulfill this American Dream: to function as a member of modern day society and to pursue their hopes and dreams. If you come to America underprivileged or destitute, then you have the chance to turn that around through hard work and determination. As the explanation of the term states, everyone has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, depending on how much effort they put in or how fortunate they are. In other words, some people will be able...
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...theFrumiGroup Great by Choice Notes by Frumi Rachel Barr, MBA, PhD. Authors: Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen Publisher: Harper Business Copyright year: 2011 ISBN: 978-0-06-212099-1 Authors’ Bios: Jim Collins studies and teaches how great companies endure, specifically – how they grow, how they attain superior performance, and how good companies can become great companies. Having invested nearly a quarter of a century of research into the topic, Jim has authored and co-authored six books that have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. The books include: the classic Built to Last, a fixture on the Business Week bestseller list for more than six years; the international bestseller Good to Great, translated into 35 languages; and How the Mighty Fall, a New York Times bestseller that examines how some great companies destroyed themselves. Morton T. Hansen is a management professor at the University of California, Berkeley (School of Information), and at INSEAD. Formerly a professor at Harvard Business School, Morten holds a PhD. from Stanford Graduate School of Business where he was a Fulbright scholar. He is the author of Collaboration and the winner of the Administrative Science Quarterly Award for exceptional contributions to the field of organization studies. Previously a manager with the Boston Consulting Group, Morten consults and gives talks for companies worldwide. Authors’ Big Thought: Ten years after the worldwide bestseller Good to Great, Jim Collins returns with...
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...Amber Di Peppe 210178911 Julie Allen 5 April 2010 Critique: Thomas Nagel's Essay Moral Luck Moral philosophers have not acknowledged any connection between luck and morality. In fact, we as humans tend to disregard moral judgment when we are faced with instances of luck. Moral judgment does not just categorize actions as good or bad, this term is indeed applied to a person’s own character. If there are certain circumstances where the person who is being judged is not under control, then the act of judgment is also undermined or the judgment is not reliable in some way. In his essay Moral Luck, Thomas Nagel addresses the issue of why we praise and blame other people for moral reasons. If someone pushes someone out of the way of an oncoming vehicle at the last moment, they are a hero. Likewise, if someone hits someone with their car, they are a careless and evil person. But Nagel argues that there are so many more factors involved in morality and elements that effect moral luck. He defines moral luck as a situation “where a significant aspect of what someone does depends on factors beyond his control, yet we continue to treat him in that respect as an object of moral judgment” (Nagel, 466). People for so long have made judgments about people based on the actions they commit. This appears to be a good idea, because the actions say a lot about the person, presumably. However, they stop thinking about it there and disregard the factors that go into what a person does which...
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...current Director of Talent Acquisitions at Spectrum Health. Jim has worked in the past as a Senior Manager and a Strategic Staffing Manager for global staffing at Bissell Homecare incorporated, Senior Recruitment Manager at the Schwan Food Company, and as the Manager of Talent Acquisitions at Barnes Distribution. With these past jobs, one would think that he received his degree in Business Management, Human Relations, or Human Resources, but he did not. He received an education degree and it was out of chance that he began his human resource career. Jim D’Amico’s first plan was to be a schoolteacher because that’s where the ladies are (personal communication, 2014). It was not until someone took a chance on him that he ran with the idea of management. During the interview, Jim joked about his experience and said he did not know any better and it was all “dumb luck” (2014). One cannot help but believe that there is something greater to Jim’s success and accomplishments than “dumb luck.” Jim’s current position at Spectrum Health has given him his greatest challenges faced up to date. He hires more than 6,000 people a year, which includes all hires except executives and physicians. According to Who We Are (n.d.) from Spectrum Health’s website, the key strategies for their leaders are to, “foster and grow leaders with the vision to keep us focused on achieving ever higher levels of excellence.” Spectrum also stated that, “the values that represent our employees are excellence, integrity...
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