Thirty (30) rejections per day for a year: Life Lessons from "Lucky in Life" by Michael Batnick.

Originally shared on April 14, 2023, by Michael Batnick.

I have had this article open on my computer for seven months because I couldn’t get enough of it—from time to time, I’d go back to read it. Now is the time to share what I have learned. It takes much hindsight digging to connect the dots of life. In his original writing, Michael Batnick, CFA , narrated how a barrage of life’s circumstances led him to his present role as a Managing Partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management .

This article extracts some wisdom I deem helpful for daily life. On the flip side, this is me writing to my future self.

1. Embrace the Unexpected: Life is a game of chance, a chaotic symphony where a missed train or a lucky shot can rewrite your destiny. Batnick's chance meeting with Josh, which changed his life, wouldn't have happened if he hadn't stayed at the train station after Mario Chalmers' shot. This random event became a pivotal turning point. Don't fear the unknown—embrace it as an opportunity for unexpected turns. The moment you think you have it all figured out, life might surprise you with a curveball.
2. Hustle Eats Talent for Breakfast: While luck plays a role, it's not the sole conductor. Despite lacking a pedigree due to getting kicked out of Indiana University after his freshman year for bad grades, Batnick maximized chance connections and developed his interest in finance by devouring forwarded finance emails from his dad’s friend, who was an advisor at Wells Fargo, leading him to get his CFA.Batnick's job search later allowed him to develop a thick skin and become numb to failure—imagine working a job where you sell a product people don’t want to people who don’t know you—earning an average of 30 rejections per day for a year! Batnick's story screams of relentless effort. Talent is a seed. It needs the fertile soil of hard work and perseverance to blossom.
3. Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones: Rejections and setbacks are inevitable, but they don't have to be dead ends. Batnick got a job at eTrade, which he later lost before his resumption date. His initial recruiter resigned from eTrade and joined another company, and the new eTrade recruiter found a credit report issue with Batnick, which made him lose the eTrade job. It was initially crushing, but it led him to a more fulfilling opportunity at Ritholtz Wealth Management. This setback ultimately proved beneficial. Not many get that lucky. Viewing challenges as learning opportunities is hard, but it is how we emerge stronger.
4. Build Genuine Relationships: Batnick's journey was paved by connections. Fortunately, He had a dad with a friend who was an advisor at Wells Fargo. Not many have such fortune. What stood out was how Batnick didn’t undermine his interactions with his chance connections, and they led to new doors. Invest in building genuine relationships with people; they might be the bridge to your next opportunity.
5. Prepare for the Moment of Luck: Batnick's luck didn't strike a clueless man. Before meeting Josh, he had already put in the work, honing his skills, passing his CFA exam, and cultivating his passion for finance. Josh could confidently bet on Batnick’s talent because he was prepared. This was how Batnick arrived at his present role at Ritholtz Wealth Management. Luck favors the prepared. Be ready when opportunity knocks.
6. Focus on the Positive: Batnick's positive attitude is a recurring theme. Despite facing unemployment, debt, and his mother's illness, Batnick's positive attitude, hope, and belief in himself kept him going, ultimately leading him to career success. Cultivate an optimistic outlook—it can turn setbacks into stepping stones and attract positive experiences.

Life is a gamble but not a game of chance alone. By embracing the unexpected, putting the work in, and cultivating a positive mindset, you can increase your odds of hitting the jackpot in terms of success and living a fulfilling and meaningful life. Remember, as Batnick says, "Your life is the roll of a hundred dice." Make sure you're ready to play your hand to the fullest.

I hope these insights from Batnick's story resonate with you and guide you on your journey. Remember, life might throw you curveballs, but you can turn them into home runs with the right attitude and effort. Happy holidays!

Link to the original article.