Luck by Design: The Science and Serendipity of a Well-Lived Life

by Adam Tank

How do smart people create dumb luck?

In LUCK BY DESIGN: THE SCIENCE AND SERENDIPITY OF A WELL-LIVED LIFE, Adam Tank unveils the hidden potential of life's seemingly random circumstances. This masterful blend of science and storytelling illuminates the power of embracing serendipity in every facet of our lives - from relationships and education to careers and travel.

Through captivating profiles of household names and common people alike, Tank ties a compelling thread across randomness, serendipity, and luck; helping readers answer challenging questions like:

Why are some individuals so seemingly lucky, and others simply floundering through life?

How can we create predictable success when unpredictable, chance occurrences drastically alter our paths?

How can random events, including traumatic experiences like war or terrorism, serve as catalysts for radical personal development?

LUCK BY DESIGN invites readers on a transformative journey to discover how embracing the unexpected can paradoxically result in a richer, more purposeful life.

----------------

Adam Tank is a microbiologist-turned-entrepreneur, public speaker, and executive consultant whose career has spanned leadership roles in Fortune 100 companies, international small businesses, and venture capital-backed technology startups. As a writer and speaker, he has entertained over 50,000 people at more than fifty events, and reaches millions of people through his podcast, newsletters, and social media platforms.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2024

Reviews

[Jack Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great example of skilled writing and thoughtful expression of the science of serendipity, this book lays out many examples of catalyst moments that change people’s lives. Adam does an excellent job of presenting these cases and stringing them all together with a common thread; your response to life’s changes is what defines you most. Thought provoking and inspiring, I can’t help but recommend you read this book!

[Jim Lauria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Tank's "Luck by Design: The Science and Serendipity of a Well-Lived Life" is a captivating blend of Malcolm Gladwell's "Tipping Point" and Bruce Feiler's "Life Is In The Transitions." Tank weaves heartfelt personal narratives throughout the book, showcasing both celebrities overcoming immense challenges and ordinary individuals transforming setbacks into successes. This unique combination of scientific insights and real-life stories makes the book a compelling read for anyone seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of how luck, perseverance, and opportunity intersect in shaping our lives. Tank's ability to draw parallels between well-known figures' journeys and everyday people's triumphs adds a relatable and motivational dimension to the narrative, making "Luck by Design" a must-read for those interested in personal development and the power of resilience.

[Esther Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS!!!

This has been one of my favorite books of the year. I did not expect it to so radically change me & inspire by heart, as I read through these life-transforming pages that the author has so brilliantly written, laying out the history, and intertwining the serendipity events or challenges that have taken place in the lives of these people. Highly recommend! This book is so brilliant & I am rereading it again!

[Marina Condo · Rating 4 out of 5]

estoy investigando sobre la suerte y trajo algunos insights.

[Steven Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought Provoking

Adam does a great job of laying out examples and stories of the different things can happen in all of our lives, and how the most critical aspects of those events, particularly our responses to them, can change not only our futures but those around us.

[Margaret Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an audio book review. I enjoyed listening to this. It was an easy read. It is a good reminder that anything can happen. You never know where the road turns.

[Chapter Chirp (Jessica)]

‘Luck by Design: The Science and Serendipity of a Well-Lived Life’ written by Adam Tank was a truly transformative and engaging read. I found this book to not only be well written but also articulated in such a way that was gripping. As chance would have it, I won this book in a giveaway and it was like the universe knew exactly what I needed. This book reinvigorated and set forth a new ambition within me that I hadn’t realized I needed. Highly recommend this book to anyone in need of inspiration or a pick me up!
#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Caitlyn Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting more of a self-help book and was surprised to find it's mostly an anthology of stories where people have had a catalyst that has changed the trajectory of their lives. I found it a little repetitive in the stories and cadence of the book. I'm not sure if I really took anything away from the book, but it was an interesting read.

[Ace Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

So here's my so called Luck By Design. I was in a thrift store, not even thinking about finding a great self help book. Then I chance upon this book on the shelf. The cover looked interesting and I liked the subject, being a fan of Malcolm Gladwell and already knowing about some concepts spoken about in this book.

It was an enjoyable read, with some very interesting stories and anecdotes. It is well written but if you're expecting huge self help titbits that slap you in the face, this isn't the best book for such insight, as you have to pay attention to some of the meanings yourself.

What I really loved about the book are Adam's personal anecdotes. The other stories were very interesting but my main criticism of the book is it relied too heavily on them, in a way that Adam didn't add enough or expand on some contexts. Hearing about The model come actress (I won't reveal names as to not spoil anything) or the famous TV host, or the huge Actor were interesting stories and fit very well with the subject, but unlinke other books, like The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell or The Talent Code, it could've used more self researched, or more unheard of stories. The stories themselves are great don't get me wrong but some might feel a tad short-changed if they're looking for more original stories and content.

For me the personal,original anecdotes were the most interesting part and if Adam writes a future book I hope it adds a little more depth and more personal and original anecdotes and stories. Also the ending felt a bit brief and he could've added a bit more to tie everything together and a summary or something unify the chapters more, as it could really use something to help you, the reader, make sense of everything and be reminded of your journey reading and how it all comes together and meets at the end point.

But it's still a great first effort and if you find this book and get the chance to read it I'd recommend it.

[Dan Blumeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Tank has woven together powerful individual tales with scientific studies meaningfully, all with his signature wit and charm. As a mental health therapist, I work with grief (both personally and professionally in multiple forms), neuroscience and happy hormones, life crises, and the impact of personal trauma, and I think Tank has nailed it on all fronts with this book. He's made meaning from many of his life experiences (brought about by chance or by choosing to act on his opportunities) and has refined it into a helpful and inspirational resource for others. Couldn't put it down!

[Kevin March · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, Adam Tank, effectively balances a scientific approach with a more humane, warm understanding of what makes people tick.

In Luck By Design, you can dive into some of the most extraordinary success stories ever written about to see how the combination of drastic life events and the choices made around them created the people we hear about today.

[John Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with wonderful stories from celebrities, the author himself, and everyday people that will encourage and inspire you to embrace the ebbs and flows of life. Anybody who enjoys personal growth and development will find it inspiring, but it's still a fascinating read even if that's not totally your thing.

Highly recommend!

[Scott Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uplifting series of stories that make you want to get out in the world and open yourself to all of its possibilities. The greatest magic here is delving into a stranger's story, feeling that it could be anyone or even you, and then discovering, only at the end, that the arc belongs to someone with an indelible mark on the world.

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons in embracing the unexpected...

This book is an engaging read that illustrates how chance and randomness can shape our lives while dispelling the notion that success can only come through planning. Mr. Tank uses science and real life stories to illustrate how embracing the unexpected can not only enrich our lives but also lead us to more purposeful living. Enlightening!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideas from the book:
"The most successful people are often those who are best at adapting to the unexpected."
"Embrace the detours, for they often lead to the most beautiful destinations."
"See setbacks as setups for comebacks."
"The greatest opportunities often arise from the most unexpected situations."