Now that I have your attention, I’d like to share my quick story about “getting lucky”...with one of my favorite quotes in mind.
“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
~ Roman philosopher, Senaca
I first read this quote as a football student-athlete at the University of North Dakota. It was posted above the depth chart on a bulletin board for the team to see as we walked into our locker room every day.
It was powerful to me then and has continued to influence my perspective on personal and professional aspirations.
I recently came across a Lifehacker post by Melanie Pinole that reminds us that we make our own luck and describes luck as being open to and ready for new opportunities.
I can’t think of a better application of these concepts than the professional development atmosphere and opportunities that are waiting for all of us at the convention this week, and specifically through our NACMA programming that begins on Monday.
Regardless of your university’s classification, your position or title...our NACMA events and programming are designed to provide you the ultimate platform to learn, grow and network your way to improving your luck.
But as I quickly learned as that wide eyed freshman football player looking at the depth chart a long time ago. You can’t just show up and expect luck to find you. You have to approach every day as a new opportunity to prepare, train and prove yourself by putting in the work and making your own luck.
I attended my first ever NACDA convention in Dallas as a wide eyed, rookie marketing coordinator at a small NCAA DII university. I return eight years later very fortunate to still be at Cal State Monterey Bay, preparing to begin my third year as the Director of Athletics.
When people ask me about my career path and how it has played out for me, the honest answer is pretty simple. Preparation and opportunity aligned and I got lucky...
I encourage you to show up to Dallas ready to engage, contribute and collaborate your way to make it a great convention for you and for someone else that is looking to get lucky.
Let’s Go #NACMA16!