Luck vs. Labor: The Two Faces of Success

Ms. Nishtha Sharma

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce & Management, Kalinga University

nishtha.sharma@kalingauniversity.ac.in

We often hear stories of extraordinary success—billionaires, Olympic champions, world-renowned artists—and think, “I wish I had their luck.” While luck plays an undeniable role in some spectacular wins, there’s an important distinction to make: absolute success vs. relative success. Understanding this difference helps us manage our expectations and approach our own goals with a more empowered mindset.

Absolute Success: When the Stars Align

Absolute success means reaching the pinnacle of achievement in a given field. Think of the small percentage of people who reach stratospheric wealth, worldwide fame, or historical recognition. While talent and effort are involved, absolute success often hinges on factors outside an individual’s control:

• Fortuitous Timing: Being in the right place at the right time can make all the difference – like a tech entrepreneur who catches the wave of a new technological revolution.
• Socioeconomic Background: Resources, social networks, and opportunities available due to one’s upbringing can heavily influence the potential for absolute success.
• The Fickleness of Fortune: Unforeseen events, from global trends to sudden viral exposure, can launch some into the spotlight, leaving others equally talented in the shadows.

Relative Success: The Power of Hard Work

Relative success is achieving personal goals and progress compared to your starting point. This is the realm where dedication and hard work make the greatest impact.

• Skill Development: Consistent practice and learning lead to mastery in a chosen area.
• Habits and Discipline: The daily choices that support your ambitions, from focused work to healthy living, all matter.
• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward is essential to long-term success.

Why It Matters

Recognizing the influence of luck on absolute success prevents us from falling into the trap of self-blame.  If your goal isn’t to become a music superstar, comparing yourself to one doesn’t help. However, it also doesn’t give us an excuse to slack off.

Focusing on relative success is where true empowerment lies.  We can control our effort, our skill growth, and how we choose to respond to challenges and opportunities.

The Takeaway

While we all dream of a touch of extraordinary luck, it’s vital not to let that overshadow the tremendous power of hard work, improvement, and building the best version of ourselves. Absolute success might have a strong element of chance, but relative success—the kind that brings deep satisfaction and a well-lived life—is firmly within our grasp.

References:

Frank, R. H. (2016). Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy. Princeton University Press.

Taleb, N. N. (2007). The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable. Random House.

Colvin, G. (2015). Humans Are Underrated: What High Achievers Know That Brilliant Machines Never Will. Portfolio.

Pink, D. H. (2011). Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. Riverhead Books.

Gladwell, M. (2008). Outliers: The Story of Success. Little, Brown and Company.

Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner.

Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Dweck, C. S. (2007). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.

Covey, S. R. (2004). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. Free Press.

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row.