We often hear about how luck impacts sports outcomes, but have you ever thought more deeply about the concept of luck, and whether luck really does have much to do with sport success? Are “lucky” moments in sports truly random, or actually a product of previous rehearsal and readiness? Quite often athletes and coaches are quick to credit their success to lucky breaks in a game, but maybe they should take accept personal credit when you really take time to think about how “luck” actually occurs.
Defining “luck”
“Luck” is defined in the layman sense as when preparation meets opportunity, and “lucky” athletes are those who have put in the work and put themselves in a position to be successful when lucky openings occur. Using practical examples, this might be a reserve player who stays ready and eventually becomes the benefactor of a teammate needing time off for an injury, allowing for an unforeseen position opening. In a second example, another prepared athlete might “luck out” performing terrific in the clutch and making great plays that seem lucky to others, but really are less the product of luck and more the result of terrific preparation.
In life, we often experience peaks and valleys, ups and downs. It is in those moments where a life peak presents itself and we are prepared and that our “good fortune” was nothing more than being ready to succeed. Since these moments are often random, we routinely refer to them as luck — but in reality luck only played a small part of the equation.
Remind young athletes of future “lucky” situations
If you are a sports parent or coach, it is important to talk to kids about the following ideas and concepts relating to perceived luck:
- People aren’t born more (or less) lucky in life, but circumstances often prompt us to sometimes think this is the case. Often kids will quickly attribute luck to a teammate, and overlook the “luck” they may have experienced themselves.
- There are no outside forces that impact luck, and even when an athlete isn’t playing well it’s usually less due to bad luck, and more due to playing a better opponent, poor preparation on behalf of the athlete, or pure chance.
- Remind kids of the many ways in which they can create their own “luck,” like by being ready in case there is an injury, or working so hard in practice that it’s virtually impossible for the coach to not award unexpected playing time.
- Kids should also be reminded that seemingly “lucky” situations don’t happen everyday, nor do these openings last forever. What this means is that ongoing preparation needs to occur for when — not if — that “lucky” opening happens.
Final thoughts
Waiting around for a lucky day probably isn’t the best use of your time, but being ready for lucky days is a worthwhile pursuit. What this means is waking up every day with a positive attitude, being optimistic, and focusing attention toward potential future opportunities. In order to be successful, you must first position yourself for success, and by doing this you will inevitably create your own “luck.”
drstankovich.com
