In the spirit of March—the month that brings us the luckiest holiday of all, St. Patrick’s Day—it’s the perfect time to talk about luck. Specifically, the kind of “luck” people often attribute to success, especially in sales. The truth? What might look like luck is almost always strategy in disguise. Let’s explore five ways this plays out:

1. Preparation Meets Opportunity
To an outsider, closing a big deal might look like pure fortune. But in reality, success stems from countless hours of preparation. Strategic sales professionals research their prospects, anticipate objections, and craft tailored pitches. When the “lucky” moment arises—a decision-maker shows interest, for example—they’re ready to capitalize because they’ve done the groundwork.

2. Networking as a Strategy
It’s easy to assume that someone who lands opportunities through connections is simply lucky to “know the right people.” But building a powerful network is a strategic endeavor. Smart salespeople attend industry events, nurture relationships, and maintain a presence on platforms like LinkedIn. Over time, this intentional effort creates a web of opportunities that appear serendipitous to outsiders.

3. Consistency Creates “Coincidence”
Consistency in outreach—be it through cold calls, follow-ups, or emails—may not seem glamorous, but it’s where the magic happens. Securing a meeting with a hard-to-reach prospect after two years of persistence might seem like good fortune, but it’s actually the result of unwavering determination and a solid system.

4. Leveraging Data and Insights
Making the right move at the right time can look like sheer luck. However, salespeople who use data-driven insights know that timing isn’t random. By analyzing buying patterns, market trends, and customer behavior, they position themselves perfectly to “luck” into a deal.

5. Learning from Setbacks
Successful people don’t just stumble upon victory; they’ve likely faced failures and learned from them. Instead of seeing setbacks as roadblocks, they view them as stepping stones. This strategic mindset allows them to refine their approach and build resilience—traits often mistaken for luck.

Celebrate Your Wins
One of the best ways to debunk the myth of luck is to acknowledge and celebrate your strategic wins. Landed a major account? Share your story. Secured a tough appointment? Let your team know. Highlighting your hard work not only reinforces your credibility but also inspires others to value strategy over serendipity.

Bottom Line
Luck is a fun concept to celebrate over green beer, but in B2B sales, success is rarely accidental. It’s about intelligence, preparation, persistence, and adaptability. So, this St. Patrick’s Day, raise a toast to your strategy and hard work—because that’s what truly drives success. Sláinte!

Kelly Mallozzi is the president of Success In Print. She is active in Girls Who Print, an expert in LinkedIn for sales reps, and a frequent presenter for the Affiliates. Kelly’s Total Sales Transformation is an intensive program to give your sales efforts a shot of adrenaline. Find Kelly through SuccessInPrint.net.