Latest / R3ciprocity.com - Prof David Maslach: Innovation; Research Life; Striving Towards Happiness
The Hidden Role of Dumb Luck in Success (and Why We Misunderstand It)
Popular narratives about success often emphasize habits and tools like waking up early, meditating, or eating gummy bears. But what if the truth is far simpler—and far less flattering?
Much of our success (or failure) comes down to sheer dumb luck, rather than the neat explanations we like to tell ourselves. Drawing from research on superstitious learning and randomness, I challenge the idea that we fully control our outcomes. From hiring decisions to life-changing events, many outcomes are shaped by factors outside our control.
By recognizing this, we can cultivate greater empathy for others…
The skinny
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