In both personal and professional life, we often marvel at the success of others, attributing their achievements to “luck.” But what if luck isn’t entirely random? What if there are ways to increase the chances of luck finding you? Emerging psychological and behavioral science suggests that “opportunity” and “luck” can be engineered, or at least made more likely, through conscious effort. This concept, known as creating luck friction, proposes that by intentionally placing ourselves in more opportunity-rich environments and fostering certain behavioral patterns, we can dramatically increase the odds of beneficial outcomes.
TLDR: Too Long, Didn’t Read
Luck isn’t just a random event—it can be influenced by strategic behavior and mindset. By expanding our networks, staying curious, and increasing our visibility, we create more “friction” between ourselves and potential opportunities. This increased surface area to opportunity often results in what we perceive as luck. In reality, it’s the science of maximizing chance through deliberate exposure and action.
What Is Luck Friction?
Luck friction is a term that draws from the idea of surface area in physics. The greater an object’s surface area, the more it interacts with the environment. Applied to human behavior, increasing your surface area to the world—through relationships, experiences, and exposure—heightens your chances of stumbling upon beneficial opportunities. Instead of waiting for luck to strike, you “rub up” against the world more frequently, creating more moments where chance can work in your favor.
In essence, luck friction is about deliberate randomness. Though outcomes are uncertain, your proactive behavior increases interaction with potential opportunity. Think of luck as a spark, and your actions as kindling; the more kindling you gather, the higher the chances of a spark catching flame.
The Four Types of Luck
According to Dr. James Austin, a neuroscientist and author of Chase, Chance, and Creativity, there are four kinds of luck:
- Blind Luck: Pure chance, such as winning the lottery.
- Luck through Motion: Luck that comes from activity; you try more, so more happens.
- Luck from Awareness: You develop a deep focus in a niche, which allows you to recognize opportunities others would miss.
- Luck from Uniqueness: Luck that finds you because of your distinctiveness; people seek you out because of what only you can offer.
The second, third, and fourth types are particularly relevant for creating luck friction because they are influenced by personal action and are repeatable over time.
Scientifically Backed Strategies to Create Luck Friction
Psychologists and sociologists have studied traits and behaviors that correlate with more frequent encounters with opportunity. Here’s how science recommends increasing your exposure to luck:
1. Cultivate Curiosity
In a famous study by psychologist Dr. Richard Wiseman, so-called “lucky people” exhibited high levels of curiosity and openness to experience. They were more likely to explore new environments, try new things, and meet new people—which constantly put them in new contexts where positive outcomes could occur.
- Pick up new hobbies outside your primary field
- Attend workshops, talks, or meetups outside your comfort zone
- Read books or follow media from unfamiliar disciplines
2. Expand Your Social Graph
The more people you know—and the more diverse their backgrounds—the more likely you are to come across information, perspectives, and opportunities you wouldn’t find alone. Sociologist Mark Granovetter called this “the strength of weak ties.” Casual acquaintances often provide more novel opportunities than close friends.
- Make small talk at events or in your daily routine
- Follow up with people you meet, even briefly
- Be helpful—it keeps you memorable
3. Stay Visible
Visibility increases “opportunity surface area.” People can’t offer you the right connections, insights, or projects if they don’t know you exist or what you’re doing. Consistent activity—especially in public forums—signals your interests, values, and talents just waiting to be “noticed” by others.
- Start a blog or regularly post on professional social media platforms
- Participate in forums or communities aligned with your goals
- Give talks or presentations—even informally
Barriers to Luck—And How to Overcome Them
While behaviors can increase luck friction, there are psychological biases and habits that hinder this process. Recognizing them can help you mitigate their effects.
1. Confirmation Bias
We tend to look for information that confirms our existing beliefs. This mental shortcut can shield us from noticing nontraditional or unusual opportunities. To counter this:
- Make a habit of seeking out opposing viewpoints
- Surround yourself with contrarian thinkers
2. Over-scheduling and Rigid Routines
Too much structure kills serendipity. Leave time in your day for spontaneity. Loosen your itinerary when attending events or traveling—these in-between moments offer some of the richest encounters.
3. Fear of Rejection
Opportunities often require putting yourself out there. A fear of hearing “no” can lead to missed chances. Remember, every rejection is data—and making yourself available in the first place is a key part of creating luck friction.
Building Luck into Systems and Culture
Beyond individuals, organizations and communities can also engineer environments rich in opportunity. Tech startups and highly creative fields often design their workflows to allow for randomness and cross-pollination of ideas.
Some ways organizations foster luck friction include:
- Open office spaces that encourage spontaneous interactions
- Hackathons and unconferences where cross-disciplinary collaboration thrives
- Giving employees 10-20% flexible time to pursue new ideas
The common thread: environments designed with flexibility, interaction, and curiosity in mind generate more frequent and fruitful collisions between passion, talent, and chance.
Practical Tips for Individuals
To systematically increase your luck friction, consider integrating the following habits into your routine:
- Set Weekly Luck Actions: Commit to 1-2 actions that expose you to new people or ideas weekly.
- Track Serendipity: Maintain a log of unexpected connections, outcomes, or insights. Identify patterns over time.
- Be Generous: Help others without expecting return. The more you give, the more pathways you open back to yourself.
- Say Yes More Often: New opportunities often arrive disguised as inconvenience. Push yourself to be open.
Closing Thoughts: Luck Is an Environment
Chance will always play a role in outcomes. But it’s no longer accurate to attribute success entirely to random fortune. Emerging research suggests that people who consistently walk into “lucky” situations are often the same people who have designed lives that attract opportunity.
By nurturing curiosity, increasing visibility, and expanding your network, you increase the friction between you and the world. The result? More moments where chance and readiness collide—what we commonly call luck.
In the end, luck isn’t just about being in the right place at the right time. It’s about positioning yourself so that you frequently pass through more right places, more of the time.