Luck

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Luck Plays a Role in Success, but don’t Bet on it.

If you’ve ever watched a successful athlete, executive, or entrepreneur being interviewed, you’ve likely heard the phrase: “Honestly? I was just lucky.”

It’s a humble admission, and sometimes it’s even true. But it’s also misleading. Luck exists. It can give you a head start or hit you with setbacks you never saw coming. But let’s be clear:
Luck is not part of the structural formula for success. It’s an additive,  not a multiplying force. And understanding this difference changes how we pursue progress in both sport and leadership.
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How did you get to the situation so that you recognized the opportunity, were able to leverage it and were able to take advantage of it.

The Real Formula for Success

In coaching, in business, and in life, I work from a foundational model I call the Formula of Success (TFoS): Success = Preparation × Vision × Courage + Luck
These three multiply each other. If any one of them is zero, the product is zero. Without preparation, courage becomes reckless. Without vision, opportunity remains hidden. Without courage, vision is never acted on.

And luck? It’s simply an add-on. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it hinders. But it never builds the house.

Why the Additive Distinction Matters

This difference, additive versus multiplicative, is not just semantics. It shapes how we respond to circumstances.

If you believe luck multiplies your outcomes, you overestimate its power. You might start chasing serendipity, waiting for a break, or blaming randomness when things fall apart.
But if you accept that luck is merely an additive variable, you keep control. You focus on the factors you can influence - your P, V, and C - and accept that luck will show up when it does. It may help. It may hurt. But it won’t define you.

In fact, the stronger your preparation, vision, and courage, the less impact luck has on your trajectory.
 
Luck in One Aspect of Life, Does Not Equal Luck All Around.

Let’s look at Steve Jobs.

Many people credit his success to timing and luck - and yes, there were elements of that. He met the right people at the right moment, during a technological boom.

But Jobs also experienced extraordinary bad luck. He died at just 56 from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. All the vision, courage, and preparation in the world couldn’t stop that diagnosis. That wasn’t a result of choices or strategy. It was just… unlucky.

But here’s what matters: his legacy wasn’t built by luck. It was built by years of relentless preparation, bold decision-making, and a relentless drive to build products that changed how the world lives and works.

His story underscores that success has to be seen in multiple ways. Don’t focus only on career or monetary objectives. Everything is important until your health or family are in danger. Try to realize that on your journey to success and see the successes you have in other fields.

The Executive-Athlete Takeaway

Whether you’re running a company, training for a triathlon, or navigating a major life transition, waiting for luck is a losing strategy. It may show up, but you can’t control when, how, or for whom.

What you can control:

• How you prepare each day
• How aware are you of  your surroundings and your path forward
• How bravely you take the next step

Conclusion:

Luck is always present either positive or negative. You want to make sure you need it the least and maximize the effect when you get. The beauty of luck that on average you will be lucky 50% of the time. 

Luck is always present either positive or negative. You want to make sure you need it the least and maximize the effect when you get. The beauty of luck that on average you will be lucky 50% of the time. You might hit a stroke of bad luck now, but know that in the next phase you might get lucky. Alternatively, when you get lucky, count your blessings and prepare for potentially a some bad luck later on. 

Success is not a destination, but a journey.


Don’t forget. It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey!

BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN:

• Treat luck as an occasional bonus or obstacle, not a pillar of your plan.
• Focus on strengthening your P × V × C so consistently that luck becomes irrelevant.
• When setbacks come (and they will), you’ll have the internal foundation to adapt, overcome, and keep moving and realise that whilst you may be unlucky at one element in life. Try to see the other elements that are going well for you. Ask yourself would you want to trade?

Share this blog/newsletter with your friends, family, and colleagues who are also pursuing a sportier and healthier lifestyle!