Introduction
We often observe individuals seemingly achieving their goals effortlessly, as if the world conspires in their favor. In such instances, we label them “lucky” and lament our own lack of fortune. However, psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé argues that “luck favors the prepared mind.”
Understanding Luck and Preparation
According to Rojas Estapé, luck is not a matter of chance but rather the result of preparation and attitude. She warns that cortisol and dopamina can limit our ability to recognize opportunities. If we are not adequately prepared, both mentally and skill-wise, we may miss out on chances when they arise.
The Impact of Cortisol and Stress
During her participation in México Siglo XXI 2025, organized by Fundación Telmex Telcel, Rojas Estapé explained that we live in a world of constant change and are saturated with cortisol, the stress hormone activated when survival is at stake.
- Cortisol keeps us on alert, preventing us from noticing opportunities.
- Humans are biologically designed for survival, not happiness.
- Cortisol activates when facing effective survival, professional, economic, social challenges or trauma.
- Stress causes physical and stomach problems, increased heart rate, constant fatigue, and muscle tension.
- Psychologically, stress makes people more irritable, impatient, anxious, and can lead to depression.
- Sustained alert states block the prefrontal cortex, hindering understanding of life.
- 90% of our worries never happen, but they release cortisol, impacting health, mood, concentration, and the immune system.
Managing Mindset and Preparation
Rojas Estapé, author of “Find Your Vitamin Person” and “How to Make Good Things Happen,” emphasizes that how we manage uncertainty significantly impacts our future. She explains, “If I go out every day thinking only about insecurity, my body becomes stagnant and poisoned.”
- Preparation and opportunity convergence are crucial for recognizing opportunities.
- Fear hinders the perception of opportunities.
Moreover, we are also saturated with dopamina, the pleasure hormone fueled by social media and technology, causing us to lose sight of who we are and making it harder to spot opportunities.
Rojas Estapé recommends understanding what triggers cortisol and dopamina and managing them through distractions like sports, painting, or socializing.
“Attitude is closely linked to how I treat myself,” she says. “If I go to a job interview thinking, ‘They require high-level English, but my level is only medium-high, so they won’t hire me,’ it’s unlikely I’ll get the job. It doesn’t mean living life believing you’re the best, but it does mean treating yourself with kindness and compassion.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What does Marian Rojas Estapé mean by “luck favors the prepared mind”? – She argues that luck is not a matter of chance but results from preparation and attitude. If unprepared, one may miss opportunities.
- How does cortisol impact our ability to recognize opportunities? – Cortisol keeps us on alert, preventing us from noticing opportunities. It also causes physical and psychological problems.
- What role does dopamine play in missing opportunities? – Dopamine, the pleasure hormone, can distract us from recognizing opportunities when fueled by social media and technology.
- How can we better manage our mindset to seize opportunities? – Understand what triggers cortisol and dopamina, and manage them through distractions or self-compassion.
