Reflections on some of Fortune's favors

Last year I had the opportunity to (re)read and complete Colleen McCullough's "Masters of Rome" series of novels, set in the last decades of Republican Rome and the dawn of the empire. The third book in the series is titled "Fortune's Favourites" mostly about the culmination of the career of Lucius Cornelius Sulla, the Rise of Pompey Magnus, and the childhood of Gaius Julius Caesar. Also notable is an historically accurate (compared to the Hollywood version) account of the career of Spartacus.

The book's title is a reference to an often repeated theme in the series, and expresses the Roman belief that Fortuna, the Goddess of Luck, would take a hand in the lives of those who please her, helping them along when they most needed it.

Ever since I read that particular chapter (for the second time at least, since I've read it back in 1999)I thought of myself as one of Fortune's Favorites. I really think that I'm supremely lucky, and that I will eventually succeed in any endeavor of conflict not only because of personal merit or effort, but because of my Luck. Sulla had it, and Caesar certainly relied on it. Their ends are what they are, but certainly their lives and careers were of high achievement and romance.

I do think that there's a psychology to this, that this somewhat delusional faith in luck leads to the culmination of self-fulfilling prophecies. The trick is in ignoring the science.

Looking at my present circumstances, I feel absolutely vindicated. Right now I'm in an exciting and growing marriage, quite the mature relationship (if I may be indulged with comparing ours with those of acquaintances past and present); furthermore, I find myself in a career that I've dreamt up only less than a year ago. And less than a year ago, it didn't even seem feasible at all.

I was trapped in a near-sighted and tanking organization, and I found myself rather overspecialized in a field within a field (organization development as part of human resources). My career opportunities were limited to similar posts within the call center industry, who only added the value of income to my plans.

I had a friend tell my fortune around Christmas time, and he told me that I'd get out of the company by February 2007. And lo! Here I am doing the things I wanted to do, accelerating my timetable, standing before stupendous deals and projects, and planning the fortunes of multiple businesses.

My goodness this is so much better than consulting. I invented a career in training and management consulting back in 2002 out of nothing, meaning without a degree or any credentials whatsoever. Then I had dreams of being able to advise senior managers throughout Southeast Asia eventually.

Now I get to be the manager who has the runway to Southeast Asia. Not planned at all, certainly not as a 17-year old university freshman wanting to be the next and youngest master of the literary arts. I get to be the manager dude at the ripe old age of 30. (Not that special since my boss is a 28-year old freak of nature)

But even then, back in university I fancied myself as one who would distinguish themselves. I romanced myself in believing I belonged to a clique of (on-and-off) friends who were special and would do special things. Back then this belief consumed me and drove me, and actually stilted my growth and maturity.

I share this specifically because I still hold some of that belief now. I think that some or most of the people whom I thought of as special are indeed Fortune's Favorites.

Last year, the Year of the Dog was said to be a bad year for those born in the Year of the Dragon and for me it was indeed. Coming from a very promising start after a very good 2005, one setback after another happened ultimately resulting in my wanting out of the company. My other Dragon friends had major setbacks as well. It's said that this year (the Year of the Pig) will be very lucky for us Dragons and I can't agree more (my friends are bouncing back strong at the beginning of the year).

What's the ceiling for me this year? I don't even want to think about it. I have my wits and considerable resources, and most of all, I truly feel that I have my Luck. Watch out!