What I admire about the folks who minimize the role of luck or fortune in their lives is that they accept personal responsibility for outcomes even when those outcomes are negative and seem to be events that were not in their control. No whining. Just acceptance of unplanned negative events as their own personal responsibility.
Dr. William Edwards Deming did a lot of work about randomness being perceived as excellent work or substandard work in a business environment. He taught the Japanese about quality control after the end of WW2 allowing them to build quality cars that eventually changed the US market.
Economists talk about business owners seeing their growth in sales revenue as being sweat driven instead of money supply or inflation gains due to inventory on hand.
My luck has been that I was often mediocre even if functional.
I learned to read well, at about 4th grade.
I finished the mile when running it in track, but set no world records.
I was upper quarter in HS, not valedictorian.
I pick a lot of OK stock but some dogs and some home runs.
I use options as insurance to minimize risks, not profit centers.
I won the heart of the hard working pleasant woman, not the high maintenance princess.
I was surprised when someone said I would go to college.
I am in awe at how much my life changed for the better after reading the book The Richest Man in Babylon. (and the several hundred other books in my investment library
)
Someone once said that almost all drivers consider themselves to be above average drivers. Most people consider themselves smarter than average as well.
My driving was so so for the first 30 years until I gained confidence and I still tremble at merging under heavy traffic conditions at a certain exit in chicago merging across four lanes. Maybe I don't look like I am subpar at driving but that exit still gives me the white knuckle steer and pray grip.
Lots of dumb people out there, but I have met people so remarkably smart that I felt humbled despite really excellent scores on standardized tests.
My options and stock teachers have all taught me to manage risks so profits so profits would have time to grow. You can't win a game if you are not playing it.
Taking credit for wins and loses is great for mental health, knowing if you were paddling upstream or downstream is wise as well. And none of us are all that unique.