Score
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Type
Article
Status
Done
Completed
Sep 6, 2023
Author
David Perell
The real enemy is the man who tries to mold the human spirit so that it will not dare to spread its wings." - Abraham Flexner
The best opportunities are the ones you never expected.
They’re serendipitous.
Serendipity is a state of mind. Serendipity births unexpected opportunities which fuel progress and push us in fruitful directions. By maximizing serendipity, you’ll accelerate your progress.
Serendipity is a skill, which means it can be learned.
Build a Serendipity Vehicle
Writing is the best kind of networking.
By making it easy for people to find you online, you’ll create a vehicle for serendipity. Call on your vehicle when you want to manufacture serendipity, and you need some activation energy.
If you publish content (blogs, podcasts, videos, etc.) regularly, people will discover you and initiate unexpected opportunities. They’ll open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Maintain a website so people can find your bio share your work, and describe you in a favorable light. Once your website is live, publish content to encourage people to visit your website, advertise your skills and hype you up.
Relationships built on trust, joy and mutual respect are the foundation of serendipity.
Be a Connector
Open doors for people.
When you connect other people, tons of value will eventually flow back to you. Introduce your friends to each other. Opportunities are everywhere: Say yes to pick-up basketball, a spontaneous afternoon run, or a trip to the museum.
The healthier you are, the more activities you can attend.
Prioritize Your Health
People want to be with healthy people.
Eat healthy food, get enough sleep, and break a sweat every day. It’ll boost your mood and fuel your curiosity.
People are drawn to people who are energetic and engaged. Healthy people are much more likely to cultivate these traits and enjoy a diverse lifestyle.
People who sweat together stay together.
Working out with a friend is social and productive. Turns out, it’s also one of the best ways to spark, maintain, and nurture a relationship.
Avoid Boring People
This advice comes from Jim Watson, who’s famous for co-discovering DNA.
Watson says: “Avoid Boring People.”
On the North Star Podcast, Josh Wolfe said this was the best advice he’s ever received.
“Avoid Boring People.” Three words, two meanings. The trope is a reminder to (1) stay away from people who aren’t interesting and (2) to be interesting and avoid boring people when you’re speaking with them.
Build conversational momentum by asking questions, staying engaged, and talking about the other person’s interests.
Whether you’re sitting on an airplane, relaxing in a coffee shop, or walking through a hotel, you’ll be able to speak with anybody, anywhere.
Find the Fast Flow
Lucky people move with life, not against it.
They swim with the current in a wide, ever-expanding river. By doing so, they maximize their surface area of serendipity.
Lucky people bathe in the reverie of adventure. They surround themselves with people who motivate and inspire them. People who maximize serendipity balance the humility of not knowing where their next big break will come from with the arrogance of knowing that it will come from somewhere.
Move to a city. Pursue dynamic environments. Talk to people. Speak with passion and enthusiasm. Write online. Be curious. Ask about the other person, and when you do, listen intently.
