Ever heard someone say, “Well! Mark Zuckerberg dropped out and he’s a billionaire!?” It’s a bit like watching someone catch a fish once and thinking the lake is overflowing with them. 🐠🐠🐠
Life isn’t just about luck, it’s also about understanding how our choices change our chances. If you think that “luck is the master choreographer” allow me to give you an eye-opener.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet my friend called conditional probability.
I know that the formula in the cover image might look like it’s from another planet so let me explain it in simple terms. DISCLAIMER: If you can master this concept, it’ll be a game-changer! 🎲
It’s like a domino effect: If one domino falls, it changes the chances of the others falling. Unlike the randomness of a coin toss (where each flip is independent), conditional probability is all about how your choices today can change the outcomes of tomorrow.
If we leave the theoretical realm and dive into the practical- the fact that Gates or Zuckerberg found success after dropping out doesn’t mean every dropout will find a similar fortune. What’s often overlooked is the initial condition: both had the brilliance to be admitted to Harvard.
Here’s another example from lifestyle choices. The American Cancer Society warns that regular smokers are up to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. This, right here is conditional probability in action- how your decisions today affect the probabilities of tomorrow.
Know this-your attitude and actions are a conditional probability. If you can invest time in personal growth, the chances of you succeeding rise dramatically.
In essence, life might be filled with uncertainties, but by understanding the chain reactions of our decisions, we can navigate them better. We cannot get rid of luck or chance as they are a part and parcel of existence. But we can utilize conditional probability to reduce their influence and increase the power of intentional choices.
Do not let randomness dictate your fate because if you act without insight, you risk wandering aimlessly. I’d like to end this with a perfect quote by one of my favorite singers: