Memorandum
To:
From
CC:
Date:
Subject: Reflecting on the Book; Luck is no Accident: Making the most out of Happenstance in your life and career
Introduction
Luck is No Accident: Making the Most of Happenstance in Your Life and Career is a book written by John Krumboltz, which addresses about unplanned events, chances, and occurrences. Krumboltz explains that unplanned events in life determine one’s life and career. These unplanned events might be a chance meeting, a broken appointment, vacation trips, a hobby, and even a fill-in-job. Unexpected experiences in life lead to unexpected life directions and career choices. Most people, especially those who are about to graduate, might not know where to begin after graduation. Some students try to figure out where to begin the “real world”, and every person has a different opinion about where to begin. According to Krumboltz, it’s okay for a person to fail to know about their future or even plan it on time before they are 21 years. Luck is No Accident is a book that can help young people unlearn most perceptions they have had about life and career. Most people hold a lot of junk which they have been told since they were children. People try to live by a particular predesigned plan which they have to follow their entire life. Others believe that following a particular plan will guarantee success. Krumboltz shows that through numerous unplanned accounts, people get the best experiences.
About the Book
The book is divided into nine chapters, where each chapter handles a different topic. The first chapter talks about taking advantage of unexpected events and even disappointments—the author advises people to be open to changing locations and even occupations. Every person plays a huge role in creating their own unexpected career and life-enhancing events. People who change events into opportunities end up creating real-life opportunities. Every chapter emphasizes how a person can enhance their career and their life in general. A person should be ready to share interests and experiences with others and convert frustrations into opportunities.
What I Think
I think that this book is a masterpiece that teaches people how to deal with luck, chance, and happenstance. Most people have been programmed to follow a “plan” in life. The author tries to show that Luck in no accident. Through various real-life stories, we can definitely see that unexpected life-enhancing events are real opportunities for those who recognize them. This book is very detailed and organized. Krumboltz has specific advises in every story and how a person can be able to apply them in real life. The book is also thought-provoking and has action-oriented exercises which a person can do and let them guide on how to solve real-life solutions. The title “Luck is No Accident” has been referenced frequently to help capture the theme of the book and emphasize the message. The book is simple and can be understood by everyone. The author uses a simple language to convey his message like people should be aware of their surroundings, take risks even if the rejection is the possible outcome, and learn to be adaptable and open-minded. People who have no clue what direction to take in life, this is the right book for them. This book is the best guide to people who feel that they have been programmed to following a particular life plan. Most people are sheep when it comes to careers and living their life. They believe that to be successful, they need to have a predesigned plan. Through this book, we learn that in most cases that people have succeeded is when they took unplanned decisions.
How to Make Most of the Happenstance
This book has taught me a lot about making most of the happenstance in my life and career. I am going to keep my options open and avoid tunnel vision. In the past, I have had unrealistic expectations; hence I am going to drop the habit. This book has taught me how to respond positively to challenges and learn to be me. As a student, I have always been what others want me to be or who they expect me to be. In life and career, I am going to practice how to be me and be prepared for unexpected opportunities. I have never been a risk-taker since I was always worried about failing. Krumboltz explains the importance of taking risks, even when the outcomes are unknown. Sometimes the risks might lead to failure, but it’s imperative to recognize failing as normal, common, and instructive. To build a successful career, I am going to stop making excuses, network, socialize, and build real, supportive relationships. Every job will be an opportunity to learn and acquire more skills. This book has taught me that it’s critical to be diversified and venture in many things. I will volunteer, take temporary jobs, and even get into politics.
What to Do
The most important message of this book is to have a satisfying career and learn how to create luck actively. This life has many unexpected opportunities; hence it’s imperative to make most out of unseen experiences. I am going to live the life I want and build my career dream. I have also seen the importance of having a hobby as they make life fulfilling. I have always been about helping others, and I am going to continue doing so. It’s hard to make most of happenstance in life because in most cases, a person might fail to understand or even recognize luck or opportunities. To ensure that I won’t miss any chances in life, I am going to be adaptable and open-minded. I am going to be a risk-taker and take risks even when I know the possible outcome is rejection. I am going to maintain balance and be open to happenstance. Krumboltz has helped me understand that I don’t need a plan to succeed in life; I only need better ways to recognize opportunities when they arise. Am prepared for the unexpected and am ready to make the most of what life has to offer. I might not plan on where I will first get a job, but I am surely going to take advantage of chances and events in life.