Luck and Serendipity in Transitions
I’m having a lucky streak!
Over the last week, the metro seemed to arrive exactly as I reached the platform. I was always able to find an available parking space and restaurant table. Even a fortune cookie I was given had three separate positive messages inside!
On top of that, I’ve been hoping to lecture at business schools; over the past few luck-filled days, I met a few professors who offered to help. I also received two offers for freelance roles that are exciting and aligned.
After feeling like I’ve been confronting closed doors for some of my transition, this past week stood out to me as distinct: like fate was conspiring to help me on my path, with a few extra perks.
I’m not the only one feeling this way. Several participants in my Career Transitions course told me that they’ve also been experiencing a swathe of serendipity.
Which got me thinking… Are lucky streaks common during transitions?
I believe they are. That’s very good news for those of us going through periods of change, which are more often known for their discomfort than their accommodation!
What does luck have to do with transitions?
During transitions, we’re thrown into the unknown. We disrupt routines, break habits, and challenge what feels normal. If we’re accustomed to turning right at a fork in the road, a transition might nudge us to try going left-or diverge completely into an unmarked path.
What’s interesting about these moments is how they heighten our awareness. When we’re no longer running on autopilot, we start noticing the world around us in a different way. We might walk down a street for the hundredth time and only now notice that quirky café, smell of baked bread, or sound of birds chirping. Transitions can wake us up and heighten our senses, creating a fertile environment for new opportunities— and serendipitous moments.
By actively paying attention to serendipity, we can strengthen the potency of these periods. The key is to reframe the unexpected as an invitation to opportunity, rather than as something to fear.
Serendipity vs. blind luck
Dr. Christian Busch, author of The Serendipity Mindset, describes serendipity as “smart, active luck.” It’s about seeing something in the unexpected and connecting the dots in ways others might not. It’s different from blind luck, which is random and beyond one’s control.
In Busch’s view, the unplanned and the unforeseen aren’t just random disruptions; they’re often the critical factors that shape our lives. Think of chance meetings, surprising detours, or unforeseen events.
Even in science, serendipity plays a major role. Around half of major scientific breakthroughs result from accidents or coincidences. But in order for these to transform from disappointment or distractions to innovation, someone had to pay attention, connect the dots and turned the unexpected into an opportunity.
Serendipity Loves Complexity
Serendipity flourishes in the interplay of chaos and complexity. When we disrupt the routines of our ordinary lives— whether by exploring new environments, connecting with unfamiliar people, or diving into fresh ideas— we create fertile ground for unexpected opportunities to emerge. This dynamic mix of elements fosters novel combinations in ways we can’t predict, making transitions a particularly ripe time to explore the “adjacent possible.” Trying a new hobby, reading an unconventional book, or striking up conversations with strangers can all spark unforeseen connections and opportunities.
Chaos theory suggests that small actions or chance events, like a single decision or brief encounter, can set off a chain reaction with profound outcomes (commonly known as the “butterfly effect”). During periods of transition, when life is tumultuous and unpredictable, it becomes easier for minor, unexpected occurrences to snowball into transformative changes. From this perspective, luck isn’t random; it’s the cumulative result of seemingly insignificant actions aligning to create meaningful opportunities.
Create your own luck
The beauty of serendipity is that it’s not entirely random: you can cultivate it. Here’s how:
- Be present and curious. Slow down so that you can observe the world with open eyes. Practice mindfulness (e.g. stay off your phone while walking). Notice the unexpected instead of brushing it aside.
- Create space in your schedule. Let go of rigid plans so that you can be open to detours. Instead of being guided by detailed goals, follow a general sense of direction grounded in values, passions and strengths. Flexibility leaves time, space and energy to capitalise on chance moments, and enable unplanned opportunities to unfold.
- Explore your ‘adjacent possible’: the unknown unknown. Proactively disrupt your routines and habits. Meet people with varied backgrounds, interests and ideas. Attend that event, have that conversation, explore that hobby; each new connection could spark a surprising outcome.
- Seed opportunities by using conversational ‘hooks’. Mention your diverse interests and ideas when speaking to others. The more facets of yourself you share with others, the more opportunity there is for something to click with somebody else, and open a new pathway.
- Connect the dots. Train your brain to look out for patterns between seemingly unrelated events. When unexpected events happen, pause and ask, “What can I do with this?” It can be helpful to keep track of “lucky” or irregular moments, and reflect on them, to help with pattern recognition.
- Act on opportunities: As chaos theory teaches, small changes can snowball. Taking action, even on a seemingly minor opportunity, can have outsized effects over time. This is a ripe time for experimentation. Give it a go, and see what happens!
It’s one of the best-kept secrets that transitions, with all their messiness, are fertile grounds for lucky streaks: if we choose to lean in with curiosity, intention and presence. Serendipity isn’t passive. It’s an active process of being open, curious and ready to act when opportunities arise. So embrace the chaos and complexity as friends, not foes; and you’ll start to notice the fortune that’s been waiting for you all along!
Exercise
● Write down recent serendipitous moments. These could be chance encounters, unexpected opportunities, or fortunate accidents.
● What were the circumstances necessary for them to occur? What decisions did you make that facilitated them?
Thinking of changing careers? Begin the new year with structured guidance and a reflective, supportive community for your career transition. Applications are now open for the next 4-month Career Transitions Course beginning in January 2025.
If you’re interested, email me at baillie@baillieaaron.com and let’s speak!
