How To Unlock the Secret to Being Lucky

People ask me all the time how I got into television.

The reason why they ask is because I got into television mid-career. I made the switch at the worst possible time, when I had left my job to have children. Not only was I leaving my current job but I was also attempting to get into a new, competitive career after having kids.

Years later when I landed a full-time anchoring job, people told me how "lucky" I was. That would usually be the time when I would sit them down and recount the full story of how I made the career switch and explain what "luck" really means.

A television agent said to me (years before I actually left my old job) that if I had any serious thoughts about trying my hand at on-air work, I would need to hire a talent coach. So on her recommendation, I found one in New York. It was just a one-day session held at this person's office.

The coach, a thin, wiry woman with a shock of red hair, walked over and led me into a little white room where several newspapers were laid out. Over the next hour or so, she had me read the newspapers as if they were television scripts. "More energy and emphasis!" she guided.

After dozens of reads, I was starting to tune out.

Her criticism was making me feel like a failure. I turned that feeling into anger at her. I didn't like the way she was talking. She was getting on my nerves. I didn't like her hair, her clothes, her makeup. I began to think of everything else except the work at hand.

Sensing my animosity, she suddenly sat down.

"I know this is frustrating," she said. "Remember I'm trying to help you find a job. You're getting mad at me but you're really mad at the process. It's scary out there. Everyone wants to do the same thing you're doing."

Then she did something that changed my perspective on life. She grabbed a black marker and scribbled these words on a whiteboard. 

Opportunity + Preparation = Luck

"Opportunities are everywhere for people," she said. "But if you're not prepared, then you won't be able to capitalize on that opportunity. It's not luck, it's being prepared...your job is to prepare your whole life for that opportunity. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

She leaned in. "Do you understand?"

Opportunity + Preparation = Luck

At that point, it really sunk in. Up until that day, I was hoping I'd be "lucky" and land that big television gig with minimal work. I was deluding myself. What I needed to do was be extremely prepared so that one day, when a job opened up, I'd be more than qualified.

(For more on how important preparation is, listen to legendary interviewer Charlie Rose on how he prepares for his biggest interviews on my new podcast, Radiate.)

https://soundcloud.com/radiatepodcast/ep05-charlie-rose

After that day, I put all my energy into being prepared. I constantly practiced my reads. I also began freelancing for a local radio station to learn how to write broadcast scripts. I practiced and continued to hone my craft until one day, I received an email from a woman I'd met years earlier inquiring if I was still looking for a television reporting job. I arranged an interview again, knowing that I was as prepared as I'd ever be. And of course, I got the job.

Opportunity + Preparation = Luck

And if you don't believe the above, you can always buy yourself a lottery ticket.

If you like this article, you'll love my new podcast, Radiate, featuring interviews with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. You can click on new episodes on iTunes, SoundCloud or on my website. www.betty-liu.com. Here is the RSS feed too. And please don't forget to REVIEW the podcast or contact me at [email protected].