It’s a saying that always makes me think of the game of poker.
In poker, most people are simply happy when they win the pot. How they got to that point –specifically the decisions they made during the hand– are far less important.
But for the serious player, analyzing those choices is a key element of becoming better. Good decisions can sometimes lead to bad results (and bad decisions can sometimes lead to good results), but the probability of long-term success increases with smart play. Good poker players are always asking themselves: “Did I make a good decision based on the information I had?”
And that’s the problem with luck, whether we’re talking about poker or real life. It’s great to have things work out in your favor, but you have no control over the randomness of the moment. Being good, on the other hand, is largely driven by effort. Everyone can improve their skills if they try.
I wish the saying was “It’s better to be good than lucky.” I like that much better.