Luck can make you or break you.
Yet we go about thinking luck is something that happens to us when in reality it's something we can influence.
There are 2 factors that can affect the amount of coincidences and opportunities that happen to us.
1. Openness to trying spontaneous experiences.
2. Ability to establish longterm relationships with people that understand your passion and capabilities.
An example of how these two factors playout is Christina Tosi.
Photo: Hannah Whitaker
Her journey from electrical engineer to founder of Milk Bar, an award-winning bakery with a crazy cult following, could appear as "lucky" but it's all about leveraging opportunity.
Fresh out of university she realized her genuine passion was baking. Against her parents' wishes, she enrolled in culinary school and moved to NYC.
After years of hard work she eventually landed a job at WD-50 with world-renowned chef Wylie Dufresne.
He became her mentor and encouraged her to experiment and create. She didn’t waste any opportunities. For every family meal, the lunch all employees share before service, Christina would bring in one of her inventions.
But this was not the only thing that led to her "big break." It was her openness to help and learn from experiences outside the kitchen.
While working for Wylie, Christina regularly asked him to give her random side jobs, one of which was sorting things out with the Help Department.
When David Chang, another influential chef in NYC, told Wylie about his troubles with the Health Department, he did not hesitate to recommend Christina.
Seeing how skilled and organized she was, Chang offered her a job on the operational side of the business, but not as a pastry chef.
Ultimately, he asked her why she didn't make any of her famous desserts for his family meals. Once she did, he realized all the potential she had and helped her start her company.
The rest is history.
Photo: Adweek
The Takeaway:
Be open to experiences. The more perspectives and people you meet the more chances you have of being in the right place at the right time.
Be aware. Many times opportunities do show up but we get blinded by routine or we get fixated on specific goals or outcomes. Be alert, zoom out and be willing to take opportunities as they come.
Do the work and communicate your passion and expertise. You never know when someone will want to capture your value by offering you a chance.
Let me know what you think. Hit reply.
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You can find previous Takeaways here.
Enjoy your weekend!
María Albert
Sources and additional inputs:
How Milk Bar's Christina Tosi Went From Momofuku Employee To Bakery Chain Ceo
Maria Aspan - https://www.inc.com/magazine/201804/maria-aspan/christina-tosi-milk-bar-momofuku-bakery.html