I've been doing a deep dive on how to increase "serendipity surface area" -- here's what I've got so far
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I'm kind of having an existential crisis about what I want to do with my life rn. Quit my job of 7 years. Moved to a new city. Sounds cute and exciting for a 20yo...but I'm a pretty seasoned professional. I've been in the exploit phase for so long exploring feels scary
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But a friend told me that instead of thinking about reinventing myself, starting a whole new career, or falling prey to choice paralysis, I should just "increase my surface area of serendipity" This basically means reorganize my life to invite more serendipitous opportunity
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"The amount of serendipity that will occur in your life is directly proportional to the degree to which you do something you're passionate about combined with the total number of people to whom this is effectively communicated."

Apr 24, 2024 · 11:08 PM UTC

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Jason Roberts coined the term in the original post here: codusoperandi.com/posts/incr… And Mental Model Practices has a good breakdown about it here: mmpractices.com/mental_model…
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So instead of having to invent new ideas (I don't really know what's out there! how could I know?), I invite new opportunities to come to me - by placing myself in the right place/right time more often
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this means 1) do stuff that you love + 2) talk about it with other people When you're excited and engaged in the shit you love, it shows -- talking passionately about it with other ppl means they're excited to collaborate with you, hire you, recommend you to others
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Can also be expressed as Excellence x Exposure. It's not enough to practice in isolation, you gotta be talking about your craft, putting yourself out there. A great convo linked here: nitter.net/shakycomfort/status/17…
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As for me, here's how I'm working on doing stuff I love + talking about it more -> emilybynight.com

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emilybynight.com
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A great summary on types of luck from the amazing @visakanv
Visa is doing marketing consults (see pinned!)
@visakanv
24 Apr 2020
here is a bit of my summary of @pmarca's 2007 blogpost about James Austin's 4 kinds of luck, from his 1978 book Chase, Chance and Creativity 1. blind luck 2. add variability through tinkering 3. add discernment 3. add unique frame of reference
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A fantastic in-depth breakdown from @swyx here: "The first axis is Luck Surface Area - you have the power to create more luck than you were given. The second axis is insight - there are forms of luck that apply only to someone in your unique position." swyx.io/create-luck
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Replying to @EmilybyNight @liz_love_lace
i guess i just accidentally fell into it via autism infodumping, yay :3
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lol yay!
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
This is an amazing diagram and this would absolutely kill it on LinkedIn (I do not mean this condescendingly in any way). If it doesn't ick you too much I'd recommend posting it there too
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
i've had this vague sense for a long time but the way you articulated it hits hard 👏
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
Interesting. 🤔
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I love the idea of "luck surface area". This diagram reminds me very much of one I made and wrote about for "knowledge = ideas x action" and fits similarly within this discussion. Fun to think about what could be a 3rd dimension in your drawing cdjarrell.posthaven.com/the-…

The Dimensionality of Our Thoughts, Knowledge, and Real-World Experiences

"Stupidity is the same as evil if you judge by the results." - Margaret Atwood Bad ideas are the same as bad actions if you only judge by the real-world results. We usually don't think of our...

cdjarrell.posthaven.com
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
This is so true. I've had amazing people make incredible introductions for me just by sharing more of what I'm working on with others. I used to think luck was where preparation meets opportunity. And it is. But now I also know that opportunity is made by kind people that you talk to
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
Thanks for opening up this crazy rabbit hole to go down into :) Now I literally have a bunch of tabs open to read more about these ideas.
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
🤯
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
this is great
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
I fucking love this
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luckmaxxing
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
I like this analogy so much! I share the same experience and dad a same feeling for a long time, but could not put it in words so well as you, thank you!
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Replying to @EmilybyNight @nu_mindframe
I was just thinking of this today and I definitely believe it
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
wow i love balatro
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
So true. You can't just build a better mouse trap. People need to know about it
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
Really good advice
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Replying to @EmilybyNight @sza
nitter.net/ebsirboss/status/18075…
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
I quite enjoy this post! Thanks for sharing, I'd like to read more
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Replying to @EmilybyNight
this "Telling x Doing" model translates to "Selling x Building" to startup founders. selling / building = 1 : 10 => luck surface area = 1 selling / building = 10 :1 => luck surface area = 1 selling / building = 5 : 5 => luck surface area = 25
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Replying to @EmilybyNight @sza
nitter.net/bouhlalm/status/178545…
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