How to get lucky (as a developer)

The Nature of Luck and Increasing Your Luck Surface Area 00:00

  • Luck is not just random chance; it's about opportunity and preparation, and more importantly, about increasing your "surface area" for luck.
  • Deliberately position yourself in the evolving tech market to be exposed to more opportunities rather than relying on sheer luck.
  • Trying multiple strategies and approaches, rather than sticking to a single path, increases your odds of "getting lucky."
  • Even the creator admits their success wasn't due to a genius idea, but through building many projects, most of which failed.
  • Success often comes from a combination of repeated attempts, learning from failures, and being present when the right opportunity appears.

Embracing Experimentation and Learning from Failure 03:10

  • Highly successful people often have a high rate of experimentation—they try a lot and are not deterred by failures.
  • Most projects, even for experienced builders, fail or do not reach significant success.
  • Each failed project brings new learnings, networks, and insights that improve chances of future success.
  • Statistically, making more attempts increases the overall probability of success compared to putting all effort into a single project.
  • Failed attempts can lead to valuable contacts, personal growth, and recognizing better opportunities or flawed markets.

The Power of Community and Connections 10:53

  • The people around you significantly compound your luck surface area; networks matter a lot.
  • Privilege, such as supportive friends, financial stability, and being part of connected communities, gives a larger “luck surface.”
  • Not everyone starts with the same advantages, but building up connections and experiences incrementally can increase your runway for success.
  • Being intentional about your work environment, peer group, and activities (like college, bootcamps, or team environments) can create opportunities over time.
  • Surrounding yourself with motivated, like-minded peers is a strong predictor of future opportunities and breakthroughs.

Maximizing Opportunities and Moving Fast 19:00

  • Frequency of attempts matters: someone who tries twice a day will statistically find success much sooner than someone who tries twice a week.
  • Consistently engaging with the community, making connections, and iterating on projects accelerates the likelihood of a "lucky break."
  • Success is less about finding a magic bullet and more about maintaining momentum and openness to opportunity.

Cultivating the Right Mindset for Luck 20:44

  • Mindset and approach to opportunity are more important than ticking boxes on a checklist.
  • Real connections and visibility come from genuine curiosity, sharing what interests you, and building value, not transactional networking.
  • Approaching people with genuine interest (rather than requests for help or jobs) yields stronger relationships and better luck.
  • Contributions to open source or other communities should be driven by actual use and improvement, not just as a means to an end.
  • Adopting a “gardener” approach: engineer conditions for luck to flourish, rather than trying to directly manufacture outcomes.

Building Networks Through Generosity and Shared Interests 25:11

  • Giving to others—through attention, help, or sharing ideas—without immediate expectation of return, creates strong, durable networks.
  • People notice when you show up and add value beyond obligation, which can unexpectedly open doors.
  • Meaningful interactions stem from genuine insatiable curiosity and shared interest, organically growing your network.
  • Avoid treating relationships as merely transactional; sustained generosity often brings long-term reciprocal benefits.

Practical Strategies for Luck Surface Area 32:04

  • Participate in community events, hackathons, and online groups to meet peers and potential collaborators.
  • Hosting events, even informal gatherings, can make you a connector and anchor in your professional community.
  • Sharing your thoughts publicly (e.g., blogging, creating content) makes you more discoverable and builds credibility, even if you start without connections.
  • When reaching out for opportunities, make it easy for others to help or refer you by providing clear, relevant information.

Embracing Authenticity and Pacing Yourself with Peers 41:00

  • Airing your authentic interests and weirdness attracts others who share your passions, leading to more meaningful connections.
  • Seek out environments (especially college or similar peer groups) that stimulate you to improve and provide reference points for growth.
  • Relationship-building is an iterative, sometimes awkward process—expect to feel uncomfortable at first, but it gets easier.

Operating Generously and Reciprocally 37:29

  • Surround yourself with people who operate in a spirit of generosity and reciprocity.
  • Give more than you take—being the person who helps or solves problems makes others eager to help you in return.
  • Avoid approaching heroes or notable figures seeking handouts; instead, offer meaningful contributions or express genuine appreciation.
  • Build a reputation for usefulness and positive contributions before asking for favors or opportunities.

Summary of Final Insights and Closing Thoughts 53:59

  • Initial impressions of people (including public personas) can be very misleading—remain open to revising your judgments.
  • Connections made may have unforeseeable positive consequences—just being present and engaged in the right circles matters.
  • The ultimate message: focus on doing and sharing the things you genuinely care about with others who share those interests.
  • Your version of success will look different from others; embrace your own path and let authentic interests drive your networking and career growth.
  • Building luck is about sustained, authentic engagement, learning from each attempt, and giving more than you take.
  • The video encourages following Kate’s work and embracing the outlined mindset and strategies to increase your surface area for luck in your own journey.