Remain Open to Serendipity

While it is important to have a plan, one must not be so rigid in following it that they are blinded to serendipitous opportunities that arise along the way.

In chess, there are relatively few viable lines of play in the beginning. Naturally, the first few moves are carefully scripted and rarely deviated from. However, if your opponent blunders for some reason, you would be foolish to pass up the opportunity just because it was not part of the plan.

Your career is no different. Not only should you be open to serendipity, you should actively put yourself in a position to maximize such opportunities. Read new books, meet new people, travel to different places, and associate with others who do the same. As Nassim Taleb wrote, “Go to parties. You can’t even start to know what you may find on the envelope of serendipity.”

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