“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity” ~ Oprah
I recently heard that quote from Oprah and it really struck a chord with me because I have always believed that I am a fairly “lucky” person, and yet at the same time, I have always worked for what I have wanted. I believe in blind faith and destiny as well, there are some things that are just meant to be and will be no matter what…but I also believe that we can work towards, create and shape our destiny too.
My friends have always teased me that things “fall in my lap”…but do they or do I take steps to make things happen? In a way, this is a little of “did the chicken or the egg come first?”
When I decided to start a home staging business, I jumped into it full force. In typical fashion, I didn’t quite think all the logistics through but I knew I wanted to do it and that I had to get some clients. So I created tons of flyers, and went to every real estate office in my area and dropped off brochures in every realtor’s mail box. I had my first job within two weeks. Again, my friends teased me about my good fortune.
However, it wasn’t just good fortune. I spent numerous hours creating the content of my brochure, and numerous hours literally “pounding the pavement” delivering the brochures to whom I specifically thought would be my most appropriate target client (realtors) ~ and that is why I believe I got that first job so quickly. It was my preparation along with a current opportunity.
Here are some pictures from my past life as a home stager.
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Umm….the after’s are the bottom images if you’re wondering. 
Ok, what’s my point here? My point is….wish for luck but take steps to create your own destiny in life! You can guide the direction your life goes in.
Cheers! Here’s to wishing that your preparation meets your opportunity in life!
Those don’t even look like the same places. Wow! Very nice.
I think you are right. Preparation has everything to do with luck.
If an opportunity comes your way and you’re not ready for it, it will pass you by!
Totally agree! Great post by the way!!!
Thank you!
There’s also a thing called “photographer’s luck.” Hard to describe, but you know it when it happens.
I agree and do believe that luck comes in to play on many occasions. I also like to visualize what I want and try to prepare to make it happen. A little of both I guess.
PS- thanks for your help on suggesting sending an invoice to that guy. I did and he contacted me immediately saying he would send a check…we’ll see ~ but I appreciate your help because I did not think of that.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Your post makes me even more motivated to keep on the track to fulfill my career dreams. Thanks for posting!
You’re welcome. Good luck and thanks for stopping by.
People tell me I am lucky to have a place in Italy. It wasn’t luck, it was hard work……but worth every bit of it.
I love what you did to those houses.
Congratulations to you! Sometimes making a dream a reality is really hard but the reward is worth it in the end.
Great story and beautiful job home staging. I laughed at your last caption since I did look at the first photo and wondered for a second
The finished rooms look fabulous!
LOL! That would have been a house that sat on the market for a loooooong time!
Excellent post, Susan!
Thanks, Gracie!
I agree with Gracie. Excellent!!
Thanks, Maralee.
The quote got me thinking today. I reference your post on my blog entry for the day.
Thanks, Priscilla! It was a great post.
I like this post (and the fabulous job you did with the rooms) I sometimes wonder why some people seem to always fall on their feet. My Mother used to say ” If you fell in the water you would come up with a pocket full of fish” I think you have hit the nail on the head, preparation, and being prepared to take opportunities when they arise.
Luck? Maybe. Hard work? I don’t doubt it. But from the looks of it, you were good at it!