Success and Luck, what roles do they play in your life? With Robert Frank

Success and Luck, what roles do they play in your life? With Robert Frank

Author: travelwisdompodcast@gmail.com (Ladan Jiracek) July 26, 2017 Duration: 50:31

Robert Frank almost died on a racquetball court when his heart stopped beating. 99% of people die from this particular disease. Robert was almost a part of that were it not for the ambulance a few hundred meters away which had been called to this rural location on a false call. 

In his excellent book, Sucess and Luck, Robert talks about how we perceive these two things. Most successful people have a hard time acknowledging the role of luck in their success but it most definitely is there. He explains it with the metaphor of a headwind and a tailwind. When you are going against a headwind you know it and think about it often. However, if you experience a tailwind you quickly forget that you have something helping you.

I really enjoyed this interview because I have had many lucky/unlucky breaks as well. It's important to recognise this and to just try as hard as you can knowing luck may be working against you.

So just keep trying! Get better! And eventually, luck may be on your side!


The Travel Wisdom Podcast explores the profound, lasting value hidden within our journeys. This isn't just about destinations; it's about how the languages we stumble through, the cultures we briefly inhabit, and the people we meet far from home fundamentally shape who we are and how we see the world. Host Ladan Jiracek draws from personal experience across more than eighty countries, examining how travel plants seeds of practical and personal wisdom that can grow into unexpected opportunities, deeper understanding, and even professional success. Each episode delves into the tangible lessons learned from foreign concepts, business practices, and social customs, arguing that the world is the most dynamic classroom available. Listeners will hear specific stories and reflections on turning global exposure into a tool for personal growth, improved communication, and a more nuanced approach to life and money. The podcast moves beyond the simple romance of wandering to consider how these experiences compile into a unique form of education, one that challenges assumptions and builds a resilient, adaptable mindset for navigating an interconnected world.
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Travel Wisdom Podcast -travel and learn languages for success and money
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