Embracing serendipity…the power of randomness…
I dropped the word Serendipity into an interview the other day. I couldn’t believe I used something so whimsical…but no one batted an eyelid. Perhaps they were waiting for the door to close before they tore me apart, or perhaps I’m on to something.
The dictionary definition of serendipity is the occurrence of an event by chance that turns out to have a positive outcome (Oxford dictionary). Good luck in other words, something that just happens to us in other words. Except that’s too anaemic a description which does not do it justice. And it is also curious as the dictionary characterisation is squeeze dried from its origin story, as explained in an article in the New York Times by Pagan Kennedy.
‘In 1754, a belle-lettrist [a person who writes beautiful literature] named Horace Walpole retreated to a desk in his gaudy castle in Twickenham, in southwest London, and penned a letter. Walpole had been entranced by a Persian fairy tale about three princes from the Isle of Serendip who possess superpowers of observation. In his letter, Walpole suggested that this old tale contained a crucial idea about human genius: “As their highnesses travelled, they were always making discoveries, by accident and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of.” And he proposed a new word — “serendipity” — to describe this princely talent for detective work. At its birth, serendipity meant a skill rather than a random stroke of good fortune’.
How unexpected. Or is it? Serendipity was originally conceived as an activity, one which could be worked on and improved. Here is where my musings conjoin. I consider serendipity to be the unexpected melding of random discoveries and more established knowledge kindling thought or an alternative direction of action. I also cherish the idea that despite its ethereal quality, it can be induced.
Let me explain. I believe in immersing yourself in undertakings in and out of your comfort zone. For example partaking in incongruous conversations with strangers, saturating those dozy brain cells by exposure to something new; not shying away from those butterfly situations. Learning, being curious and trying have a certain piquancy. But this is the cardinal rule. You must accept this doused randomness may deliver no benefit whatsoever other than satisfying an inquisitiveness you never knew you held. Deeper expectations than this are fraught with disappointments.
But like a squirrel gathering his autumn feast, you must consider both how to pocket what is learnt and diligently contemplate what you have gleaned. Turn over these shiny nuggets of newness, draw out previously tucked away curiosities and ponder how they may together lead you onto some greater insight or path. Sometimes it is obvious. Many times too far apart to be relevant. But don’t despair. Quietly park this wonder and bide your time. Accepting the cardinal rule…
This arbitrary coalescing of insights and curiosities becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Startlingly, connections between musings are sparked when in the right environment, leading to perceptions you could not claim with a linear pathway through life. If you flow with serendipity it fosters lateral thinking and cross fertilisation from different fields of knowledge. You live with a mindset full of energy and openness to the possibilities of what can be. I sense it allows me to be creative and through osmosis access realms of my brain previously closed to a mind unwilling to think differently. And I am not alone in my thinking. Many years ago UCL researchers undertook a study to understand if serendipity could be harnessed. Whilst doing so they determined an improved definition : when unexpected circumstances and an insightful ‘aha’ moment leads to a valuable and unanticipated outcome. Isn’t it fascinating PHDs and the like are being carried out on what seems such a fragile concept?
Serendipity is not passive but you must accept uncertainty. It is random yet we can improve our chances of wooing it to our side. It requires us to be open minded yet determined in our foraging. It cannot be evidenced yet it is difficult to disprove. It’s almost a superpower but still available to mere mortals.
By the way, I got the job.
