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Como ter sorte: Treze técnicas para descobrir e aproveitar grandes oportunidades profissionais
Muitas pessoas acreditam que nascemos sortudos ou azarados. E para ter mais fortuna na vida, aqueles com má sorte apelam para amuletos, rezas e à astrologia — até mesmo em ambientes profissionais, onde esses recursos são ridicularizados por muitos. No entanto, Max Gunther — autor de Os axiomas de Zurique — mostra que para ter sorte nos negócios, basta seguir 13 técnicas simples.
Segundo Gunther, o motivo real de certos indivíduos terem mais sorte do que outros é simples: eles organizam suas vidas de acordo com uma filosofia que permite que a boa sorte influencie seu destino. Eles também agem no momento certo e sabem mudar de posição ou opinião quando reconhecem que estavam errados. Em suma: quando percebem que o navio está afundando, eles não perdem tempo rezando e pulam para fora dele.
Dessa forma, Como ter sorte explora essas e muitas outras ideias sobre a boa fortuna. Defendendo que a sorte é composta por um conjunto de fatores aleatórios e fora de nosso controle, e rejeitando a noção de que é possível construir riqueza apenas através do trabalho duro, Gunther compartilha técnicas e dicas que o colocarão no caminho das boas oportunidades da vida ao mesmo tempo em que minimiza os efeitos das adversidades.
Segundo Gunther, o motivo real de certos indivíduos terem mais sorte do que outros é simples: eles organizam suas vidas de acordo com uma filosofia que permite que a boa sorte influencie seu destino. Eles também agem no momento certo e sabem mudar de posição ou opinião quando reconhecem que estavam errados. Em suma: quando percebem que o navio está afundando, eles não perdem tempo rezando e pulam para fora dele.
Dessa forma, Como ter sorte explora essas e muitas outras ideias sobre a boa fortuna. Defendendo que a sorte é composta por um conjunto de fatores aleatórios e fora de nosso controle, e rejeitando a noção de que é possível construir riqueza apenas através do trabalho duro, Gunther compartilha técnicas e dicas que o colocarão no caminho das boas oportunidades da vida ao mesmo tempo em que minimiza os efeitos das adversidades.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
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About the author
Max Gunther
43 books31 followersMax Gunther was an Anglo-American journalist and writer. He was the author of 26 books, including his investment best-seller, The Zurich Axioms.
Born in England, Gunther moved to the United States at age of 11 after his father, Franz Heinrich became the manager of the New York branch of a leading Swiss bank, SBC.
Gunther graduated from Princeton University in 1949 and served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1951.
He worked at Business Week magazine from 1951 to 1955 and during the following two years he was the contributing editor for Time Magazine. He also contributed to Playboy, True, Reader's Digest, TV Guide, McCall's, and Saturday Evening Post.
Born in England, Gunther moved to the United States at age of 11 after his father, Franz Heinrich became the manager of the New York branch of a leading Swiss bank, SBC.
Gunther graduated from Princeton University in 1949 and served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1951.
He worked at Business Week magazine from 1951 to 1955 and during the following two years he was the contributing editor for Time Magazine. He also contributed to Playboy, True, Reader's Digest, TV Guide, McCall's, and Saturday Evening Post.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 20, 2015
The book is a little misleadingly named as it's not about increasing your chances in any individual event (you won't suddenly be able to guess the right roulette numbers more accurately), but what it will do is help you manage your luck better. Here are the 13 techniques Mr. Gunther describes with short descriptions as to what they mean:
Make the luck/planning distinction - this technique urges you to honestly assess the role of both luck and planning in the events in your life. For example: if you win the lottery obviously that's a little planning (you did buy a ticket, right?) and a lot of luck. Not everything is so cut and dry though: what about finding a new job? Is that mostly luck, mostly planning, or something closer to half and half? Either way, if you ascribe everything to luck or everything to planning, you're going to miss out.
Find the fast flow - the best way to increase your luck is to put yourself where things are moving fast. For example, networking and being around people who are active means you're around opportunities. This technique is all about increasing the amount of opportunities for luck that you have.
Risk spooning - you can't win if you don't play, but that doesn't mean you should always play. When the reward is low but the risk is high you obviously shouldn't play, but if the risk is low and the reward is high, you obviously should play.
Run cutting - luck runs out, so don't stay in a game hoping for the tremendous gains, lock in your wins when you're lucky and leave happy.
Luck selection - this is the counterpart to run cutting. When your luck is sour, cut your losses. The lucky tend to come across as a little pessimistic.
The zigzag path - life goals are nice, but don't let them get in the way of seizing an opportunity. The lucky tend to follow the opportunities that open up for them.
Constructive supernaturalism - call it religion, superstition, or whatever word you use, but having something that gets you in the game is important. As long as you aren't substituting superstition for thought there's nothing wrong with superstition, but it certainly comes in handy when there's no logical way to pick, say, a number for roulette.
Worst-case analysis - when an opportunity, or chance for luck, presents itself make sure to ask what the worst that could happen is. In many ways this is just an extension of risk spooning.
The closed mouth - this is the technique that I don't quite agree with. The idea is that you don't want to say anything that keeps you from taking advantage of opportunities, which I can agree with. However, the author goes on to say that you shouldn't talk about anything, including emotions, when you can avoid it.
Recognizing a nonlesson - let's say you buy a stock and you immediately lose money. You have likely been afflicted with bad luck, there's no lesson to learn there. Trying to take lessons away from events that are based on luck will only do you harm in the future.
Accepting an unfair universe - the universe is neither fair nor unfair, it just is. What should be doesn't matter at all; accept what is.
The juggling act - much like the zigzag path and finding the fast flow, this technique is all about creating opportunities for luck. If you're involved in many ventures at once you have a greater chance of one of them working out. I may sometimes take this one to the extreme.
Destiny pairing - this isn't so much a technique as something to look out for. Sometimes you'll run into someone who brings out the best aspects of you professionally and for whom you do the same (the author is very clear that this person is rarely your spouse). When you find that person, don't let him or her slip away.
I hope to apply more of these techniques in my daily life and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to see more exciting and lucky things happen in his or her life.
Make the luck/planning distinction - this technique urges you to honestly assess the role of both luck and planning in the events in your life. For example: if you win the lottery obviously that's a little planning (you did buy a ticket, right?) and a lot of luck. Not everything is so cut and dry though: what about finding a new job? Is that mostly luck, mostly planning, or something closer to half and half? Either way, if you ascribe everything to luck or everything to planning, you're going to miss out.
Find the fast flow - the best way to increase your luck is to put yourself where things are moving fast. For example, networking and being around people who are active means you're around opportunities. This technique is all about increasing the amount of opportunities for luck that you have.
Risk spooning - you can't win if you don't play, but that doesn't mean you should always play. When the reward is low but the risk is high you obviously shouldn't play, but if the risk is low and the reward is high, you obviously should play.
Run cutting - luck runs out, so don't stay in a game hoping for the tremendous gains, lock in your wins when you're lucky and leave happy.
Luck selection - this is the counterpart to run cutting. When your luck is sour, cut your losses. The lucky tend to come across as a little pessimistic.
The zigzag path - life goals are nice, but don't let them get in the way of seizing an opportunity. The lucky tend to follow the opportunities that open up for them.
Constructive supernaturalism - call it religion, superstition, or whatever word you use, but having something that gets you in the game is important. As long as you aren't substituting superstition for thought there's nothing wrong with superstition, but it certainly comes in handy when there's no logical way to pick, say, a number for roulette.
Worst-case analysis - when an opportunity, or chance for luck, presents itself make sure to ask what the worst that could happen is. In many ways this is just an extension of risk spooning.
The closed mouth - this is the technique that I don't quite agree with. The idea is that you don't want to say anything that keeps you from taking advantage of opportunities, which I can agree with. However, the author goes on to say that you shouldn't talk about anything, including emotions, when you can avoid it.
Recognizing a nonlesson - let's say you buy a stock and you immediately lose money. You have likely been afflicted with bad luck, there's no lesson to learn there. Trying to take lessons away from events that are based on luck will only do you harm in the future.
Accepting an unfair universe - the universe is neither fair nor unfair, it just is. What should be doesn't matter at all; accept what is.
The juggling act - much like the zigzag path and finding the fast flow, this technique is all about creating opportunities for luck. If you're involved in many ventures at once you have a greater chance of one of them working out. I may sometimes take this one to the extreme.
Destiny pairing - this isn't so much a technique as something to look out for. Sometimes you'll run into someone who brings out the best aspects of you professionally and for whom you do the same (the author is very clear that this person is rarely your spouse). When you find that person, don't let him or her slip away.
I hope to apply more of these techniques in my daily life and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to see more exciting and lucky things happen in his or her life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2015
Came to this through Farnham Street.
Although the Monopoly story is now known to be untrue, and the author can be decked for a Gladwell-esque tendency to turn anecdotes into something bigger, it's a really good dissection of how life tends to be. People really don't acknowledge often that luck is a factor in whatever happens to them - bad or good.
I was also struck by what he said about literature, overturning the 'tragic flaw' theme that so many an English lit prof has told students. In many ways, I agree with him that the myth of self as the determining factor is one's life is a poor way to describe a lot of major works.
If you're the kind of person who feels like bad things happen to you for no good reason, this book is a good read to disabuse you of that notion. For those of us who fall on the other side, who feel too much responsibility for things and don't see there's much outside of our control, it's good as well to balance the anxiety that can come with such a sense.
Overall, it will make me think about how I'm approaching things in my life - and be more compassionate in general when good or bad luck comes my or anyone else's way.
Although the Monopoly story is now known to be untrue, and the author can be decked for a Gladwell-esque tendency to turn anecdotes into something bigger, it's a really good dissection of how life tends to be. People really don't acknowledge often that luck is a factor in whatever happens to them - bad or good.
I was also struck by what he said about literature, overturning the 'tragic flaw' theme that so many an English lit prof has told students. In many ways, I agree with him that the myth of self as the determining factor is one's life is a poor way to describe a lot of major works.
If you're the kind of person who feels like bad things happen to you for no good reason, this book is a good read to disabuse you of that notion. For those of us who fall on the other side, who feel too much responsibility for things and don't see there's much outside of our control, it's good as well to balance the anxiety that can come with such a sense.
Overall, it will make me think about how I'm approaching things in my life - and be more compassionate in general when good or bad luck comes my or anyone else's way.
May 30, 2018
This one book lays down all the rules to get lucky !!!
The book starts with examples , telling us how smart work, hard work and efficiency does not play any part in rise of an individual. People who are successful often credit their successes to hard work, time management, their smart thinking, education or knowledge about their job. They will go ahead and write in their biography , how they were goal oriented and persistent in chasing their dreams.
But they carefully avoid talking about, how , LUCK played an important part in their successes.
Gunther then lays down, how to increase the chances of being lucky using 13 techniques.
At the end of 13 techniques , Gunther dedicates a chapter on how even if you follow the 13 techniques, it may happen, that luck may not favor you. And these techniques will only increase your chance to be more lucky.
The book is an excellent read and I may try some of the techniques and then complete this review if I get more Lucky !!
GoodRead !!!!
The book starts with examples , telling us how smart work, hard work and efficiency does not play any part in rise of an individual. People who are successful often credit their successes to hard work, time management, their smart thinking, education or knowledge about their job. They will go ahead and write in their biography , how they were goal oriented and persistent in chasing their dreams.
But they carefully avoid talking about, how , LUCK played an important part in their successes.
Gunther then lays down, how to increase the chances of being lucky using 13 techniques.
At the end of 13 techniques , Gunther dedicates a chapter on how even if you follow the 13 techniques, it may happen, that luck may not favor you. And these techniques will only increase your chance to be more lucky.
The book is an excellent read and I may try some of the techniques and then complete this review if I get more Lucky !!
GoodRead !!!!
May 14, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this re-issue of an older book because it so gleefully throws heaping amounts cold water on ideas I and many people I grew up with hold - namely, the Puritan / Protestant work ethic and how you are your labor, with success or failure being yours and yours alone. Our quantified era furthers this - little is left to chance, everything to planning and intellect, studying logic and being smarter than others.
But of course, luck, chance, and serendipity play enormous roles in all of our lives and we all know it. This book addresses that head on, and provides some great tips (some better than others) on how to increase your chances of getting lucky. Initially hesitant because it struck very faintly of cosmic forces ordering your life instead of you being in control and responsible for your life, I was quickly won over after the author made it clear that you have to work at this (one of his major rules, for instance, is to go to centers of activity, generally cities, crossing paths with as many people as possible and clearly articulating who you are and what drives you and the odds of you getting your break will increase. Obvious, but nice to read). It's much more art than science.
An enjoyable part of the book centered on taking on extremely successful people and unpacking that luck was a critical factor in all of their lives, addressing why it's so hard for them to say that, and how they revert straight back to 'hard work' as the key to everything. Loved the profile of the oil men in the 1900s who were simply fantastically lucky (one big name today hit oil at 19 years old on his very first oil test drill site, picked on a whim from a list) and how their PR agents worked to turn them into extremely respectable titans of industry who only worked hard and told admiring crowds to save their pennies to be rich despite their own histories of taking risks at every turn.
Another interesting part was a review of people who are 'always unlucky' and working backwards, saying that of course this is true as well but there are steps that could be taken to reduce the likelihood of this level of unluckiness.
Or, to quote from Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow, mild success equals a lot of work and good luck, and great success equals a lot of work and great luck. This author would agree.
But of course, luck, chance, and serendipity play enormous roles in all of our lives and we all know it. This book addresses that head on, and provides some great tips (some better than others) on how to increase your chances of getting lucky. Initially hesitant because it struck very faintly of cosmic forces ordering your life instead of you being in control and responsible for your life, I was quickly won over after the author made it clear that you have to work at this (one of his major rules, for instance, is to go to centers of activity, generally cities, crossing paths with as many people as possible and clearly articulating who you are and what drives you and the odds of you getting your break will increase. Obvious, but nice to read). It's much more art than science.
An enjoyable part of the book centered on taking on extremely successful people and unpacking that luck was a critical factor in all of their lives, addressing why it's so hard for them to say that, and how they revert straight back to 'hard work' as the key to everything. Loved the profile of the oil men in the 1900s who were simply fantastically lucky (one big name today hit oil at 19 years old on his very first oil test drill site, picked on a whim from a list) and how their PR agents worked to turn them into extremely respectable titans of industry who only worked hard and told admiring crowds to save their pennies to be rich despite their own histories of taking risks at every turn.
Another interesting part was a review of people who are 'always unlucky' and working backwards, saying that of course this is true as well but there are steps that could be taken to reduce the likelihood of this level of unluckiness.
Or, to quote from Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow, mild success equals a lot of work and good luck, and great success equals a lot of work and great luck. This author would agree.
February 17, 2016
Originally written in 1986 as a follow-up to his first book on the topic, “The Luck Factor,” the author makes the case that “Luck ... blunders in and out of our lives, unbidden, unexpected, sometimes welcome and sometimes not.” Gunther calls luck the “factor that no one talks about” but is an integral part of all of our lives. This book purports to provide thirteen techniques (he chose an interesting number, did he not?) to increase the opportunity to take advantage of life’s good breaks while minimizing the damage caused by the bad ones.
Having read a number of books on this topic, I found much to glean from his advice, although as a person of faith I must take issue with a few of his points. Nonetheless, his techniques overall all are quite practical. He supports his key points with fascinating examples from real life, including Charles Darrow (the inventor of Monopoly, was told by Parker Brothers that the game violated 52 rules for parlor game design, initially turned it down) and Margaret Mitchell (who had used some of her “Gone with the Wind” manuscript to prop up a piece of furniture).
Here are his thirteen techniques:
1. Make the distinction between luck and planning - balance your actions by considering both.
2. Find the fast flow - be around people, situations where things are happening.
3. Risk spooning - dip your toe into risks, don’t dive in.
4. Run cutting - know when to “cash in your chips” to be ahead.
5. Luck selection - be ready to cut your losses.
6. The zigzag path - luck is never linear.
7. Constructive supernaturalism - use faith or non-faith, etc. as it works for you (?!) .
8. Worst-case analysis - be prepared for catastrophe.
9. The closed mouth - don’t speak unless you absolutely must or you may regret it later.
10. Recognizing a non-lesson - sometimes there is nothing to learn (?!) but that luck exists.
11. Accepting an unfair universe - deal with this reality rather than pining over it,
12. The juggling act - always be working Plans B, C, D, etc. as well.
13. Destiny pairing - constantly watch for connections that could create opportunity.
Gunter closes the book by describing how to start applying these lessons effectively, encouraging the reader to revisit classic novels, etc. to see how the “fatal flaw” issue in many literary characters was actually the result of failing to use one or more of the thirteen techniques.
Having read a number of books on this topic, I found much to glean from his advice, although as a person of faith I must take issue with a few of his points. Nonetheless, his techniques overall all are quite practical. He supports his key points with fascinating examples from real life, including Charles Darrow (the inventor of Monopoly, was told by Parker Brothers that the game violated 52 rules for parlor game design, initially turned it down) and Margaret Mitchell (who had used some of her “Gone with the Wind” manuscript to prop up a piece of furniture).
Here are his thirteen techniques:
1. Make the distinction between luck and planning - balance your actions by considering both.
2. Find the fast flow - be around people, situations where things are happening.
3. Risk spooning - dip your toe into risks, don’t dive in.
4. Run cutting - know when to “cash in your chips” to be ahead.
5. Luck selection - be ready to cut your losses.
6. The zigzag path - luck is never linear.
7. Constructive supernaturalism - use faith or non-faith, etc. as it works for you (?!) .
8. Worst-case analysis - be prepared for catastrophe.
9. The closed mouth - don’t speak unless you absolutely must or you may regret it later.
10. Recognizing a non-lesson - sometimes there is nothing to learn (?!) but that luck exists.
11. Accepting an unfair universe - deal with this reality rather than pining over it,
12. The juggling act - always be working Plans B, C, D, etc. as well.
13. Destiny pairing - constantly watch for connections that could create opportunity.
Gunter closes the book by describing how to start applying these lessons effectively, encouraging the reader to revisit classic novels, etc. to see how the “fatal flaw” issue in many literary characters was actually the result of failing to use one or more of the thirteen techniques.
September 13, 2018
This book is more about positioning yourself for self betterment in any aspect of our lives.
The book had definitely changed the way I look at luck.
It talks about acknowledging outcomes, which are not the result of our doing, as lucky events and to not depend blindly on them in the future. Do not confuse randomness as planned outcome.
It also talks about how you can increase the chances of getting good opportunities by acknowledging luck in the first place, being proactive with the people we know, taking risks, understanding that the world is not fair and to not depend on any lucky streak of events for a long time.
The following one liner in the book looked straight from the Dark Knight movie
"Chaos is not dangerous until it begins to look orderly."
Most of the concepts are known to me (atleast) which were expressed in a different perspective and using the word luck for outcomes which are not of our own doing.
The book had definitely changed the way I look at luck.
It talks about acknowledging outcomes, which are not the result of our doing, as lucky events and to not depend blindly on them in the future. Do not confuse randomness as planned outcome.
It also talks about how you can increase the chances of getting good opportunities by acknowledging luck in the first place, being proactive with the people we know, taking risks, understanding that the world is not fair and to not depend on any lucky streak of events for a long time.
The following one liner in the book looked straight from the Dark Knight movie
"Chaos is not dangerous until it begins to look orderly."
Most of the concepts are known to me (atleast) which were expressed in a different perspective and using the word luck for outcomes which are not of our own doing.
March 30, 2020
"How to be lucky" intents to deliver the unlikely message that we can lead and manage our own fate, not entirely, but in parts, by giving Luck a hand so that the Universe (or name here your favorite agent) can do the rest. The book is filled with amazing short stories from people who led their lifes with a decent amount of risk, calculated or not, and exposed themselves to live lives worth living. Get out, meet people, keep busy in your multiple projects are the basics on how we can open ourselves some magic, invisible doors. Reading this book will definitely make you smarter by recognizing how good winds can lead your boat to amazing destinations. Fortuna!
February 11, 2020
Not recommended for various reasons
I wouldn't say this book is all bull s***. Some of the techniques described in the book were really good and well thought. The author could have conveyed the story in under 25 pages of quality writing. Because he had to fill a book, he has written stories after stories about people who became successful, that beyond a certain point you would want to throw the book out! My recommendation is to take the gist of the book from somewhere (google) and that's more than enough.
I wouldn't say this book is all bull s***. Some of the techniques described in the book were really good and well thought. The author could have conveyed the story in under 25 pages of quality writing. Because he had to fill a book, he has written stories after stories about people who became successful, that beyond a certain point you would want to throw the book out! My recommendation is to take the gist of the book from somewhere (google) and that's more than enough.
October 16, 2021
I am not much for this 7 habits, 10 ways kind of books. But this book surprised me with its flow and practical advise. A nice short read with a practical insight into how life really works and how you can probably work around it as much as possible. There are no guarantees in following any advise, it’s just a question of your luck!
April 22, 2019
Interesting book with useful information. Some parts outdated and I didn't like the parts about shares / the stock market - not sure the author is an expert there.
April 3, 2023
This is a fantastic book on the importance of luck in one's life and the techniques to get lucky. I have read it at least twice and got my wife and teenage son to read it as well. If you are a fan of Nassim Taleb, you will appreciate the ideas in this book even more.
This book lays out the techniques to get luckier in life. For example, there is a technique where the author asks you go where the action is. To become an actor, you have to go to Hollywood. This is where the action is. You can't expect to be in some remote place and expect the industry to find you.
It is a well written book and easy to read and follow.
A note of caution though. The author tends to lead you to believe that luck and only luck is important. My current belief is that one needs hard work, skills and luck to succeed and you can't just pick any two. So I would advise the reader to take the writer's opinion with a pinch of salt.
If you enjoyed this book, you may enjoy his other book too - Zurich Axioms too. It reads like a nice sequel.
This book lays out the techniques to get luckier in life. For example, there is a technique where the author asks you go where the action is. To become an actor, you have to go to Hollywood. This is where the action is. You can't expect to be in some remote place and expect the industry to find you.
It is a well written book and easy to read and follow.
A note of caution though. The author tends to lead you to believe that luck and only luck is important. My current belief is that one needs hard work, skills and luck to succeed and you can't just pick any two. So I would advise the reader to take the writer's opinion with a pinch of salt.
If you enjoyed this book, you may enjoy his other book too - Zurich Axioms too. It reads like a nice sequel.
March 13, 2022
I picked up this book for fun. I didn't think i will learn a lot from it but i was wrong. By the end of it I noticed that my behaviour toward things has changed. For example I know now I should cut my losses when stations turn south.
Plenty of technique to increase your "luck" in life. I really like it.
The only missing part for me was the lack of scientific evidence to some of the techniques. Instead a story was supplied for each chapter to prove the point, this is not good enough so take the book with grant of salt in mind.
Plenty of technique to increase your "luck" in life. I really like it.
The only missing part for me was the lack of scientific evidence to some of the techniques. Instead a story was supplied for each chapter to prove the point, this is not good enough so take the book with grant of salt in mind.
November 22, 2020
Another essential book of way-of-living-and-thinking by Gunther Max. Lately I have been assimilating the ideas contained in his books and started realizing that the simple axioms and techniques shared here are the ones that put yourself in an advanced position in life. Few people will understand them, specially if one lacks the context and personal experience of how these apply to one self.
Pure golden.
Pure golden.
December 24, 2020
This was the first book by Max Gunther that I read. This is an awesome book with very practical suggestions. The ideas like risk spooning, go with the fast flow and destiny pairing are all awesome.
Checkout my blog review of this book.
http://manofallseasons.blogspot.com/2...
Checkout my blog review of this book.
http://manofallseasons.blogspot.com/2...
August 3, 2023
Surprisingly entertaining and informative book with some good advice, some not so good advice, and a few really, really good ideas. I have lived the "Get Into the Fast Flow" piece from time to time, and have been astonished at how quickly things can start to happen. I have at times pulled back from it because things were moving too fast.
March 30, 2022
A Lucky Encounter indeed
I have already Read Mac Gunther's Zurich Axioms. That was an Wonderful Read , so I Thought of trying this One. Luckily, It didn't dissapoint Me.I am Lucky for having encountered this Lucky book.
I have already Read Mac Gunther's Zurich Axioms. That was an Wonderful Read , so I Thought of trying this One. Luckily, It didn't dissapoint Me.I am Lucky for having encountered this Lucky book.
November 20, 2017
Of all I found Sunk cost fallacy the most important. Really good book on luck.
January 1, 2018
Great book covering real life stories plus 13 techniques were very much practical. Its a good read.
May 24, 2019
Being lucky is a technique. Reading this book helps you understand luck and position yourself to get lucky.
July 28, 2019
One of the finest book to think about the role of Luck/Probability chances in Life.
July 10, 2023
Useful guide for reflecting on your life choices
March 7, 2025
Written in the assertive tone, with anecdotal examples drawn into generalized conclusions
September 8, 2024
The book is a joyful read. It highlights area on how to improve your chances in getting lucky although its not a norm that if you do these you will get lucky.
1. Believe there is luck which will impact outcomes
2. Get in the stream of fast flowing information/things. - If you want to be lucky you have to be in the process multiple times. Networking is an important aspect
3. Run cutting - Get out when you got lucky. Enjoy small wins rather than hoping for bigger wins
4. Cut your losses- When you are on losing side, cut down losses
5. The lucky ones usually aren't stubborn to follow the same path which they have thought. They look for opportunities and are flexible to change their course of action
6. Believe in something which will make you stay in the process (where luck matters). It can be a favourite number, favouriteism, religion, etc.
7. Always be alert that something can go wrong. Seize on opportunities if you see more signs.
8. It doesn't always have to be some reason when things are not going in your favour. Time can keep you unlucky for a very long time than you believe. If you fail twice, don't think that this time I will definitely pass or this time I might even fail. Your chances of success are still 50%
9. Accept what had happened and move on.
10. You will run into something which will guide your path into luck. So, its important to be in the process
1. Believe there is luck which will impact outcomes
2. Get in the stream of fast flowing information/things. - If you want to be lucky you have to be in the process multiple times. Networking is an important aspect
3. Run cutting - Get out when you got lucky. Enjoy small wins rather than hoping for bigger wins
4. Cut your losses- When you are on losing side, cut down losses
5. The lucky ones usually aren't stubborn to follow the same path which they have thought. They look for opportunities and are flexible to change their course of action
6. Believe in something which will make you stay in the process (where luck matters). It can be a favourite number, favouriteism, religion, etc.
7. Always be alert that something can go wrong. Seize on opportunities if you see more signs.
8. It doesn't always have to be some reason when things are not going in your favour. Time can keep you unlucky for a very long time than you believe. If you fail twice, don't think that this time I will definitely pass or this time I might even fail. Your chances of success are still 50%
9. Accept what had happened and move on.
10. You will run into something which will guide your path into luck. So, its important to be in the process
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2018
I loved this book. It is not a come back and read once a year, book, but still a fantastic read. Some of the lessons are obvious while some others not so much. My favorite lesson was to stop seeing patterns in good luck or bad luck where none exist. I will write a more detailed review on my blog shortly.
December 7, 2015
Although this book is kind of bizarre, at it's best it is extremely practical and arguably indispensable for anyone seeking to improve their lives (i.e. hopefully everyone). I call this book bizarre because you don't even have to believe Mr. Gunther's thesis on luck (which he pushes on the reader hard) to learn the lessons in his book. Whether you call it luck, fortune, blessings, it really doesn't matter. You can view the book as a guide for increasing luck or for instruction on working harder to get better. A minor quibble is that although one of the later, smaller chapters shows a seemingly aggressive misunderstanding of religious philosophy, it is my impression that the underlying message is still compatible with most religions and denominations. Also, even though some of the powerful stories are possibly apocryphal, like Aesop's fables, they illustrate clear pathways toward getting from unlucky to lucky. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Oh, also the cover texture was a bit weird.
Oh, also the cover texture was a bit weird.
October 14, 2018
My take on this book resembles the one I had on The Zurich Axioms by the same author: an important core concept that challenges the standard thinking of many readers backed by a few interesting & innovative ideas, a few criticizable ideas you shouldn’t take as rules in life and some obvious advice in the middle you didn’t need a book to tell you about.
Truth be told, this was originally published in 1986, before the growth of behavioral research in academic fields that has been widely used and cited amid the recent explosion of pop psychology and self help books. How To Get Lucky was probably way more groundbreaking back in its release, but I wouldn’t say it has aged well and stood the test of time; it's just less surprising nowadays. It’s a short & quick pleasant read that should challenge a few of your views and attitudes in life, but it doesn’t get you excited enough to recommend it to your closest friends and relatives.
Truth be told, this was originally published in 1986, before the growth of behavioral research in academic fields that has been widely used and cited amid the recent explosion of pop psychology and self help books. How To Get Lucky was probably way more groundbreaking back in its release, but I wouldn’t say it has aged well and stood the test of time; it's just less surprising nowadays. It’s a short & quick pleasant read that should challenge a few of your views and attitudes in life, but it doesn’t get you excited enough to recommend it to your closest friends and relatives.
May 8, 2015
Here is a book about 13 techniques that might make you more lucky. Generally a feel good book that tends to generally good but perhaps not deep advice. One of the things that resonated is the concept that luck does play a role in your life, weather you like it or not. Car accidents happen, so do diseases to otherwise healthy people. I did prefer anti-fragile better for a similar concept but this looks at it from a different point of view. Overall it left me with a "meh" impression.
January 21, 2015
Muito do "óbvio" mas que muitas nos passam desapercebido.
Também ajuda a prestar atenção em situações que fomos bastantes beneficiados por praticar alguma técnica e que, possivelmente, não estamos mais praticando.
Gostei das histórias "verídicas" envolvidas.. Como o caso do inventor do Banco Imobiliário e da P&G. E também do romance "e o vento levou".
Também ajuda a prestar atenção em situações que fomos bastantes beneficiados por praticar alguma técnica e que, possivelmente, não estamos mais praticando.
Gostei das histórias "verídicas" envolvidas.. Como o caso do inventor do Banco Imobiliário e da P&G. E também do romance "e o vento levou".
February 10, 2017
I like being in control, and "being lucky" feels like the exact opposite -- stuff just happens beyond one's control. So, having 13 techniques to influence luck's arrival is right up my alley. Implementing these techniques to improve my awareness of the factors driving opportunity my way decidedly improved my success in the last 6 months.
October 31, 2020
Thus far I have been skeptical and reluctant to admit the role of luck in any well-thought-out, carefully planned decision, execution, or effort. However, this book has made me rethink it in every action and decision I have to make hereafter. Yes, it has to be admitted that even if the efforts are mountain high, one needs to have the tiniest factor of luck, at least the size of mustard!
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