“Luck is the residue of design.” – Branch Rickey
This quote is a variation of many others I have heard over the years. I believe it whole-heartedly. Those who are prepared, who learn and practice and pay attention, are the ones that know how to take advantage of the ‘luck’ that drops in their laps.
I know this from hard experience where I either was not prepared, or worse than that, was prepared but didn’t grab the opportunity as strongly as I should have. And I didn’t follow up that ‘luck’ with hard work to move forward. It happened in my art career many times.
Of course that is in retrospect. When I think back to all the work I did do, day in and day out, I think ‘shoot, how much more could I have done?’ But the truth is I know I actually could have done more once a door opened for me. But circumstances and my own laziness or fear or distractions kept me from working full bore on it.
It is a lesson I have learned now and try to avoid. It isn’t easy to keep so focused you take advantage of EVERY bit of ‘luck’ but I certainly do better at it now than I use to I think.
Drawing © 2022 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
