Value Your Accomplishments

"Right place, right time plus awareness equals opportunity."

For many years, whenever people asked how I grew in my career, I always replied, "I was just lucky."

"I was lucky to get into the University of Washington." "I was lucky to get hired by the companies that hired me." "I was lucky to buy my own home when I did and where I did." "I was lucky to get good grades at school." "I was lucky to be successful in my career."

Apparently, my life was one giant shamrock patch.

What I didn't realize was how much attributing my accomplishments to "luck" was doing a disservice to my self-esteem and how I valued myself. I was practically giving Luck all the credit and ignoring my own hard work. Way to go, Luck!

Recently, in a conversation with a new friend, she asked me how I got to where I was in life. I was about to play the "luck" card again, but I stopped myself. This time, I realized it wasn't luck. Instead, I said I was able to identify opportunities and make some good decisions along the way that got me to where I was. It was a mix of being in the right place but also being aware of the opportunities I had and taking advantage of them.

My accomplishments were a blend of hard work, sacrifices, awareness of opportunities, and not hesitating to seize them.

I got accepted into university because I worked hard in high school to get good grades and made sacrifices. It wasn't luck; it was hard work and making good choices. I chose not to party all throughout high school and instead stayed home to study.

I bought a house because I lived below my means and saved. I drove an old car that looked like it had survived the apocalypse, wore clothes from discount fashion stores, didn't go on vacations, rarely spent money on eating out, packed my own lunch, and drank the terrible coffee in the office kitchenette. After about five years of living like this, I had enough money to put a down payment on a house. It wasn't "luck"; it was being smart with my money and making sacrifices.

In addition to making good choices and being aware of opportunities, I'm not blind to the privileges I had.

I never thought I had privilege because I was born to immigrant parents, we were poor, and brown. I spent my life focusing on my disadvantages until a friend asked, "What are your privileges, and how did these privileges help you?" My first thought was, "I don't have privilege. What privilege do I have?"

Then I started to think about the things I took for granted. I am physically able, for the most part neurotypical, and was gifted with a high IQ. Although we were poor, my father made the sacrifice to pay for us to attend private Catholic schools that gave me an educational and spiritual advantage. I was able to go to college because I had the opportunity to live at home, and my childhood home was within walking distance to my university.

Not only was I undervaluing my accomplishments, but I also wasn't acknowledging my privileges.

I don't say "I'm lucky" anymore. Instead, I attribute my success to making good choices, working hard, making sacrifices, and taking advantage of the privileges my circumstances afforded me.

Be aware of when you are in the right place at the right time. Practice awareness so you can seize the opportunities in front of you.

What privileges do you have that you are grateful for? How have you benefited from your privileges? Are there accomplishments in your life that you've attributed to "luck," and how can you turn that narrative around from "luck" to rewards for your hard work?

 "Progress is not achieved by luck or accident, but by working on yourself daily." - Epictetus

"Progress is not achieved by luck or accident, but by working on yourself daily." - Epictetus