What is Luck and How to Leverage it to its Fullest?

We often hear statements like “My luck has probably run its course”, “He is surviving on beginner's luck”, or “She was born lucky, that’s why she’s ahead”. Such lines reflect how most people perceive luck.

Luck usually refers to things outside our direct control—where we were born, our genetics, or natural events. Some even relate it to destiny or fate. Many people use luck as a shield to hide failures or avoid accepting mistakes.

When people misread their situation and refuse to face the truth, they waste time and energy chasing the wrong goals. This misunderstanding makes them believe luck is the only deciding factor in their lives.

Consider two people walking late at night. A drunk driver loses control, hits the first person, but narrowly misses the second. Does that make one unlucky and the other lucky? Is it destiny, fate, or karma?

If we call it karma, does it mean the first person had done something terribly wrong while the second person lived like a saint? Is there some invisible “karma account” that decides who suffers and who escapes? Such explanations rarely make logical sense.

The real issue is that we don’t clearly understand concepts like luck, destiny, fate, or karma. We simply believe whatever we hear from others who appear more knowledgeable. Without clarity, we become vulnerable and easily misled.

Anyone can take advantage of our confusion, which is why understanding these concepts is crucial. When we don’t, we become easy targets for those who manipulate our beliefs.

Many people feel powerless when they realize they can’t control everything. A business can fail despite your best efforts, a relationship can break even with all your love, and a job can be lost regardless of your performance.

But there is one thing no one can take from you—your reaction. This is the only part of life that completely belongs to you. When you understand what you can and cannot control, you stay grounded even in difficult situations.

You can choose to quit or start a new business. You can break down after heartbreak or work on yourself. You can call yourself a failure or improve your skills and find a better job. The choice is always yours.

The moment you realize that your actions are within your control—even when life isn’t—that is the moment you begin creating your own luck.