How to Make Your Own Luck – 3 Tips

Do Great Work.  Focus on your craft – whether that means performing at the highest level with your ensemble, teaching at the highest level, writing great arrangements, etc.  Excellence has to come first; do great work and people will notice.  When people notice, “lucky” things start to happen. (Read: opportunities will present themselves that seem lucky, but are actually a result of your hard work)

Get Out There. You have to be visible, and this can mean different things for different people/organizations. It may mean having a great website, and it also might mean going to events to network with people.  You have to put your work and yourself in a position to be noticed.

Take Chances.  Should your ensemble play that extra gig on your tour in the small town where there might be only 10 people in the audience? Weight the pros and cons. But also remember that you never know who might be in that audience of 10 and how they might be able to help you.  Sometimes taking little chances can pay off. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Paul R. Judy Center for Applied Research!