Mindset
Preparation, Opportunity, and the “Coincidence” Myth
“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.“
– Oprah Winfrey
One theme that comes up over and over again when I interview high achievers on the podcast is how often major shifts in their careers and lives seem to happen by coincidence.
They’ll tell me stories about working away in their field, when one day they’re in a coffee shop line, at a networking event, or just running errands—and they strike up a casual conversation. That chat leads to a new connection, and that connection leads to a new opportunity.
The guest on this week’s episode is a perfect example. Her job at a hospital was being cut due to budget issues. She mentioned it to a friend while standing in line at a store. Moments later, that friend shared a lead—and just like that, a new role fell into her lap.
Coincidence?
If it happened only once or twice, maybe. But I hear variations of this story all the time. What’s even more interesting is how rarely my guests describe feeling panic or despair. Instead, they speak about these moments as natural redirections—doors opening exactly when they needed to.
Why does this happen?
I think it comes back to something I first heard Oprah Winfrey say: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
I love that line because it reminds us that “lucky breaks” aren’t random. They show up because we’ve done the work to be ready when the moment arrives.
That’s why I tell people I mentor that building and maintaining a strong circle of influence is essential. If no one knows who you are, what you do, or how well you do it, they can’t possibly think of you when the right opportunity comes along.
My first NHL job is a perfect example. It only happened because I had built a relationship with the head therapist of the Montreal Canadiens. When the Assistant GM of the New York Islanders mentioned they were looking for someone, that therapist spoke up—and my name was on the table. Without that connection, that entire chapter of my life never would have happened.
Here’s the thing: expanding your circle of influence isn’t about self-promotion—it’s about genuine connection. That means being curious, asking questions, listening well, and sharing just enough of yourself that people get a sense of who you are and how you think.
Too often these days, conversations feel one-sided. I’ve walked away from chats where I know a lot about the other person, but they know almost nothing about me. I make a point of weaving in short stories so they leave with a feel for who I am. Conversation is a two-way street, and you never know which one might open the door to something big.
And here’s an easy way to start nurturing your network: send a quick message to one person a day. Just one. Over a year, that’s 360 touchpoints. That’s 360 people who will remember you the next time an opportunity comes their way.
Because here’s the truth—people rarely get work simply because they left a résumé on a desk. Even if that gets them in the door, the decision usually comes down to who they know—or who knows them.
So the next time you catch yourself wondering why someone else got the call instead of you, remember: in the background of that opportunity was preparation, visibility, and connection.
Are you prepared?
Something to think about.
