February 6, 2010 144 Comments

Just Lucky I Guess – Kitchen Table Talks

In this Kitchen Table Talks video, I just want to address all the nice folks who call me lucky, or who think I’m just sitting around being handed my lot in life.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Direct link to the video

“Lucky” is absolutely what I am. Here’s what I do to earn my luck:

  • Write a blog post or two a day.
  • Write a newsletter every week.
  • Comment and connect with others daily.
  • Answer and send hundreds of emails daily.
  • Read voraciously.
  • Work with the best clients I can find.
  • Reach into new markets weekly.
  • Travel extensively.

Seems lucky to me.

People always ask which camera I used to shoot my video. I use the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 (that’s a review of the camera).

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  • http://www.martinkoss.com/ Martin Koss

    Hey Chris – well said. I think we all know of people who sit around doing nothing but whining about how well others have done well for themselves without acknowledging all the work that went into doing well.
    Similarly we know people who want to crush the competition rather than work hard at establishing themselves and improving their own brand (products and services). It brings to mind Gary Vaynerchuks quick video on his facebook page a couple of days ago about all the work and effort can mean nothing if your product is crap… etc.,

    You have a great brand (YOU) because you worked hard at it – you developed it and people have responded in the tens of thousands by subscribing to what you do…

    Is that 'lucky' – nope! It's reward for all the hard work and all the 'giving' that you do! You earned it buddy.

  • stevescaysbrook

    Luck, its 90% hard work, 5% inspiration and 5% divine

  • Melody Locke

    I've always heard that “luck” is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

  • http://arneltanyag.typepad.com/arnels-blog/ Arnel Tanyag

    Chris,

    I like your style. You did a great job explaining luck and hard work. Thanks for sharing.

  • http://www.collinharbour.com/ Collin Harbour

    Keep up the good work. Luck doesn't just happen it takes place over time. Even if it were luck, as my teammate in 6th grade once mused . . . “Luck Counts.” Collin Harbour

  • TheMogulMom

    You're not lucky, Chris…you just make choices and do the work involved.

    Ten years ago when I became an at home mom, many of my peers said I was “lucky” I could be an at home mom. But it wasn't luck – it was choice. A choice that I made that involved great sacrifice. A choice I'd choose again in a heartbeat.

    Thank you for all that you choose to do and share with us.

    Heather

  • http://twitter.com/keithmarble Keith Marble

    This post reflects a basic truth – “Luck is the residue of diligence” (unknown)

  • http://twitter.com/dariasteigman Daria Steigman

    Hi Chris,

    I'm betting there's an “interesting” story behind this post… It reminds me of when I started my business and two (now ex-) friends just kept saying how nice it was not to have to work. As if. But then, I guess that makes me lucky too.

    Best,
    Daria

  • http://www.riverwoodwriter.com/ RiverwoodWriter

    Anyone who has followed you for any length of time knows that you work harder than almost anyone…harder, indeed, than many of us are willing to work. Those who aren't willing should never cast stones, and it makes me sad that you've gotten these kinds of comments. Life is too short not to rejoice in the success of others and admire the work it took them to get there. Especially when they give back as much as you do.

  • http://heinleinpubservices.blogspot.com JAHeinlein

    Holy Smokes CB
    -it sure is a lot of work to be “lucky”!~
    : )

  • http://twitter.com/fiskers Bite (Christine F)

    Love it. The harder I work, the luckier I get. That, to me, says it all…

  • steve

    i think some times people get a little too wrapped up with all the gadgets,yes a nice knife and some copper pans are all good,and a microplane. I confess i even have a paco jet at home (which is the best, fresh ice cream on demand) but i think it is the food being fresh, an educated imagination and enjoying what you are doing that is paramount.
    smart lipo

  • http://zaneology.com zaneology

    Luck is the result of preparedness for any situation…and Luck is a CHOICE.

    A friend and mentor, Linda Toupin, would always remind those in her space of this very basic life truth: “You are where you are in your life today by the choices you made or allowed others to make for you.

    Cheers,
    Zane

  • susangiurleo

    Chris, I am always amazed at how hard you work. And I know if I put in the hours, miles and energy that you do, I”d be “lucky” too. Keep doing what you do. Many of us benefit and appreciate it!

  • http://twitter.com/macautoparts Mac Auto Parts

    Great video. It is not luck so many people do not realize what it takes to actually run a business, be a successful marketer or have a successful blog. I think this video helps people realize that you and many others are not just handed your “celebrity” so to speak you have earned every bit of it.

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  • http://www.MemberCon.com Tim Bourquin – MemberCon.com

    Hi Chris – I don't comment much but I read everything you write. You never, ever have to apologize for or justify your success to anyone. Others who are successful know the hard work it takes. Keep up the great work.

    “Illegitimi non carborundum”

  • http://www.myadguy.com Ray Martin

    I'm lucky I watched your video! It's our nature to be jealous of another's success and not recognize the effort it took for
    them to get there. I've always been taught that we create our own luck through working hard.

  • http://exfoodie.com/ Neven

    Well said!

  • http://www.ecougg.com/ susan

    thanks for your sharing.so nice .http://www.ecougg.com

  • http://twitter.com/ED101org ED101, Inc.

    So motivational, so simple – we're the lucky ones for being able to learn from you! Thanks for sharing! RT in progress! :-)

  • Cal

    Hi Chris. Someone must have really tweaked you to prompt this posting. I don't come here every day but this one took me back a little. You were not your usual cheerful self.

    If you ever get out to Detroit let me know. You can come stay at our wee hotel on us. I'm buying and it will have nothing to do with luck. You work your tail off and I want to thank you for making me think more efficiently.

    Cal

  • http://www.5minutesformom.com/ Susan (5 Minutes For Mom)

    Chris, it almost makes me laugh to think that someone would call you “lucky”. It is so clear that you work unbelievably hard and that we all are “lucky” that you share with great insights with us.

    Thank you!

  • karimkanji

    Thanks for the video and outlining what it takes to be “lucky”.

  • http://www.zoombits.co.uk/memory-cards/sat-nav sat nav memory card

    I used to love Sugar Daddies, Joan.. Talk about breaking your teeth!!!! ha… AND there was one called “Bit-O-Honey” which I loved.. Those little brown and white things in your pictures were good too.. I remember I think they had peanut butter in them. Can't think of their name.I would never have noticed that capital “T” in the 2nd line if you hadn't had pointed it out.

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  • luissandovaljr

    “I make my own luck.” That's a phrase I've believed in completely. People say, “oh man right place, right time, you're lucky.” Ummm…nope, I paid expenses to be there or I made the decision to be there I just didn't fall from the sky and “poof” something happened.

    I was reading some of the responses on here and we all pretty much seem to agree. Winners commit, they fight for every inch they get. Sure some are more successful than others depending on our definitions of success, but nothing hinders us from achieving what we want to achieve (realistically speaking of course).

    My 5th grade teacher said something that till this day I keep in mind when I'm trying to figure out how to do something. “There's more than one way to skin a cat.” She said that more than anyone I ever knew, but it's reality folks, there's more than one road to your goal. Successful people take the time to find that path, complainers want the path pointed out to them.

    Thanks for sharing Chris, you're so lucky! :)

  • http://altheatremaine.wordpress.com/ Althea Tremaine

    I believe you are confused as to what luck is. I agree that tireless hard work is an important factor in having success, however, priviledge, ability, and luck (or the coincidences that happen during your life) also play a major role in what you do and how you succeed.

    If you weren't lucky enough to have access to a computer, I doubt you'd be able to do what you do today.

    People get caught up in the myth of a self-made man, when in reality, there is no such thing.

  • http://www.chicagoliposuctionsurgeons.com/ Chicago liposuction

    Anyway, this was awesome. As always it really feels like you capture their personalities, even though I don’t really know them 8D Loved that it just didn’t jump into the relationship, it gets kind of tiring reading about people falling in love after three paragraphs XD

  • http://idoitdigital.com clintus

    WE are the lucky ones; to have someone like you on the internet sharing your knowledge and being an epic friend.

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  • http://www.lookwhatmomfound.com Rob Babiak

    Awesome video and you are so right. Success is not luck. It is extremely hard work and sacrifice that alot of people are not willing to make and when they see someone else with it they say that person is so lucky. They do not see the behind the sences work that person is doing that makes them so successful.

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    You gals do that so well! Your site is always an encouraging place.

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  • http://www.yuregininsesi.com/ yuregininsesi

    I used to love Sugar Daddies, Joan.. Talk about breaking your teeth!!!! ha… AND there was one called “Bit-O-Honey” which I loved.. Those little brown and white things in your pictures were good too.. I remember I think they had peanut butter in them. Can't think of their name.I would never have noticed that capital “T” in the 2nd line if you hadn't had pointed it out.

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    to have someone like you on the internet sharing your knowledge and being an epic friend.

  • http://twitter.com/mbatey Michael Batey

    Chris, as we say in the UK, that was ‘harsh but fair’. It’s the same message I take from the Samuel Goldwyn/Gary Player quote “The harder I work, the luckier I get”. In a nutshell, there’s no substitute for graft and if you want to be successful, you have to accept that commitment and tenacity – slogging it out – are absolutely unavoidable.

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    Great article man, thanks!

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