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A year ago, I decided to apply to Stanford GSB. Was it the right call?
I typed that exact question into ChatGPT. It “thought” for 14 seconds and came back with a list of reasons that included this line:
Increases your surface area for luck (people, ideas, opportunities).
What surprised me most was what wasn’t there: there was no mention of “change.” But when I came here, I assumed the whole point was to change myself, especially in the areas where I felt weaker.
Four months later, have I changed?
Yes, but not in the sweeping way I imagined. A wise man said that GSB can change you by 10% at most. That feels right. The real question is: what’s my 10%?
The answer is different for everyone. For me, it’s this: I’ve become more open to new people, and I’ve started to give my relationships more weight.
In my early 40s, I’ve begun to understand that the number of new friends or partners I’ll make for the rest of my life is finite, and the hours I can actually spend with them are even more finite.
This isn’t pessimism. It’s a sobering truth that pushes real behavior change:
- I show up at more social events and proactively meet new people, accepting that every relationship starts with an awkward “hi” and often feels transactional at the beginning.
- I try to really listen, even when the other person doesn’t know exactly what they want to say, or they’re rambling through half-formed ideas.
- I push myself to be more patient with people’s mistakes, and a bit warmer and kinder, even in brief interactions like sharing an elevator.
- I’ve made a few close friends at Stanford through random conversations and activities, and we’re all confident these friendships will extend beyond this one year.
The simple truth is: you only become a true insider by first being a complete stranger, then slowly showing up, again and again, until the roots form.
Over time, these little dots connect. They become lines, then webs, then a larger “surface area” for luck. This is the most unstructured part of life. We wander through the world, colliding with strangers who might change everything. Later, we call it “luck.”
But the best strategy against luck is not to gamble; it’s to increase the odds, by enriching the context of your life through these serendipitous encounters.
Cherish the people around you. Be thankful. Be warm. Be real.
Onwards.