the nature of luck

“Nature creates ability; luck provides it with opportunity.” François de la Rochefoucauld

Many of us are obsessed with luck. Recent record lottery jackpots had millions of  extra tickets, as much as 50% more than usual, sold in both Canada and the Netherlands. Clearly, luck is something that we not only are looking for, many of us think there is a chance that we’ll find it. Consider the Merriam-Webster definition:

luck

noun \ˈlək\

a : a force that brings good fortune or adversity b : the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual

Seldom do you hear those who reach the heights of their professions, however, allude to luck as being a factor. And yet, it may be the only one of significance. That train connection that you just managed to make, the last seat on the plane you were able to purchase, the phone call you returned at exactly the right moment…these were all ‘right place, right time’ factors, a force that brought good fortune.  Synchrodestiny, written in the stars, or luck…there are some things in life that just can’t be put down to our own innate skill…or can they?

Veteran Canadian test pilot and astronaut Chris Hadfield will take over command of the International Space Station in 2013, the first Canadian to do so. This is a significant honour, both personally and for the nation, so recently on the CBC 1 radio show ‘Comment’, Colonel Hadfield was asked what the most important factor was in his career, and why it was that he was being chosen.  Being a little cynical, the Omnivore expected the standard ‘I’ve been training for this opportunity my entire life’, and ‘this will be my third space mission, so I have the experience for the position’. Instead, Hadfield replied –

“the most important factor in my career has been luck, specifically, surrounding myself with lucky people”.

The interviewer was also surprised, and asked him for more details. Well, said Hadfield, lucky people are those who have discovered early on what it is that they are best at. They focus on these key skills and talents, getting better and better at what they do, which means they succeed at what they attempt more often than people who never really understand (or are able to) do what they could do best.  He would like to see luck, and what causes it, acknowledged more as a reason for professional or team success.  In putting together a team, he always looks at people’s career track records and their resultant success rates. When he finds someone who has performed to a standard of excellence, consistently, over their career, he knows he’s found his lucky teammate.

So is it luck? Is this a new definition of luck? Honing in on what it is that makes us special? The Omnivore has realized for a long time that it takes 100 times more effort to complete a task for which we have no aptitude (and often little interest) than it does to complete one for which we have real interest and ability. And, let’s face it, we’ll probably still do the task we’re not good at badly (a wonderful reason for outsourcing your taxes if you can afford it, by the way). The things that come easily, well, the tasks just seem to complete themselves. And our success rate…

So think it about, the Omnivore certainly has been. Looking back on successes, be they personal or professional…how many were due to hard work, to opportunity, and how many to just using the tools that one was born with, and using them well.

And something the Omnivore is taking away from Colonel Hadfield…when you really want to get something done well, surround yourself with lucky people!

Opposition and Expatriates Challenge Changes to Canadian Citizenship Act

Despite thousands of protests by Canadians at home and around the world, Bill C-37 amending the Canadian Citizenship Act was passed into law in April, thereby denying Canadians who were born abroad the right to pass citizenship onto their children, unless those children are physically born in Canada. The changes also have far-reaching impact on Canadians adopting overseas, and are widely viewed to impact Canadian competitiveness abroad as Canadians refuse to be sent overseas if it means they risk making second-class citizens of their children.

All is not lost, however. Opposition to the bill is being voiced on a special website, http://www.amendc37.ca/, and shadow Immigration Minister from the NDP, Olivia Chow, plans to introduce a Private Member’s Bill challenging the legislation, which is considered by many to be unconstitutional. Ms. Chow writes on her website http://oliviachow.ca/mp/?cat=27:

“Although in his answer two months ago to my questions in the House of Commons, (Citizenship and Immigration) Minister Kenney indicated that he would review Bill C-37—nothing has been done. In fact, Jason Kenney is under the impression that people do not understand what the issue is all about. While Kenney feels that only a few people will be affected, he has no way of knowing all the future repercussions of the second generation cut-off. Here is what we stand for: All Canadian citizens should have equal rights, no matter where they were born.

• We stand for our Canadian ambassadors who work throughout the world. They work in schools, universities, colleges. They work for the United Nations, UNICEF, Doctors without Borders. They work for Canadian banks, engineering firms, and corporations. They are too numerous to mention – and their work reflects Canada’s engagement with the world. Can Jason Kenney explain where is the logic in penalizing the families of expatriated Canadians while diplomats and military personnel remain unaffected?

• We stand for all children who came to Canada to join their forever families. On April 17, many of these children became second-class citizens. Can Jason Kenney explain where is the logic in allowing families to apply for direct citizenship for their born-abroad children only to strip away their rights one year later?

We are ready to take Jason Kenney to task on this issue at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Equality must be restored amongst all citizens. I plan to introduce a motion and a private member’s bill to amend Bill C-37. If you have stories of how this new Citizenship Act impact on your families, please share them with me at chowo1c@parl.gc.ca.”

If you or anyone you know is affected by this change in the Canadian Citizenship laws, please e-mail Olivia Chow and give her your support, and visit http://www.amendc37.ca/. And if you’re not directly affected, please educate yourself about this law, and feel empathy for those caught in the net….it could easily be your problem, or that of your children and grandchildren, in the future.