Rating: 6.5/10

My Thoughts:

This book changed the way I think about how to be proactive in your own luck and how good social ties can significantly influence your life.

We all like to have a plan and control. This is reflected in the way we form organizations and governments.

The unexpected makes out the fabric of our lives. Napoleon even said he would rather have lucky generals than good ones.

“Luck is a blend of preparation and good fortune” – Seneca

Proactive decisions lead to positive outcomes, it is present all around us.

Only a few have deciphered the code and developed the mindset for this.

Serendipity is not a coincidence of what happens to us, we see bridges where others see gaps. Uncertainity is a source of joy and meaning.

Serendipitors are prepared for luck, they create the conditions for serendipity to happen.

Go from being passive to active in your own life.

There are three types of serendipity:

1. Archimedes Serendipity: A known challenge is solved, but the way is unexpected.
2. Post-It Serendipity: Happens, when searching for a solution to one problem leads to a discovery of a solution to an unrecognised or entirely different problem.
3. Thunderstorm Serendipity: No active search for a solution is taking place, but a new problem-solution pairing emerges unexpectedly, like the invention of rolling suitcases.

Bias that hinder you from experiencing serendipity:

• Undererstimating the unexpected
  • It is very probable that something improbable will happen
  • The unexpected happens all the time, do we spot this?
  • Once you see the unexpected, you might be able to identify ways to increase the pie that benefits both, it`s not a zero-sum-game!
• Conforming to the majority
  • Self-perception has power over the narrative of your own life
  • Study conducted found that people that see themselves as lucky are more receptive to lucky coincidences than people who perceive themselves as unlucky (self-fulfilling prophecy)

Do a couple of hours per week of work for someone you admire.

We thrive when we have a northstar (purpose) as well as meaningful day-to-day interactions.

Only if people feel meaningful do they stay loyal.

It is underestimated how important the higher needs from Maslows hierarchy of needs are, money is only one among several factors.

You have to aim a little bit higher than you want to fly.

Serendipity is constrained when we are exhausted e.g. when introverts are too social.

Synchronicity tends to happen when we put energy out into the universe.

Nuance is the essence of life.

Humour plays an incremental role in serendipity.

Serendipity is not a single event, but a sequence of setting serendipity bombs.

Serendipity bombs:

• Write a one-pager about you, if people ask you what you do, give them at least 4 things that both of you could talk about.
• Identify the people you look up to. Write them why you admire them, this is a numbers game.
• Go to one public event per month. This could be a public lecture or a reading. Have at least one good question ready for the author and try to get their contact.
• When you meet somebody new, think about how you could introduce that new person to somebody else.

Turning serendipitous encounters into opportunities:

• Let go when a connection seems fruitless
• Schedule time in your calendar for making.
• It is not just about showing up, but about how and with what energy you do.
• Start clustering your meetings and if they can be merged they should.

Never doubt that a small number of devoted citizens can change the world.

Most people start with an extremely low serendipity level.

Don`t be a stranger, invest into social capital. This can help improve your well-being.

Less social capital equals less serendipity.

Well-curated interest-based communities combine the size of weak ties with the power of strong-ties. Communities need to be inspired instead of controlled.

Good relationship building events focus on interests and passions, more trusted relationships can be developed. Well-curated events can empower you.

Networks and communities can be a serendipity accelerator.