Why Am I Always Unlucky? Is That True? Insights From the I Ching

Many people often ask: “Why am I always unlucky?”

Some people believe others are born lucky, while they themselves are destined to struggle forever. But from the perspective of the I Ching, this is often not true.

In reality, opportunities are distributed far more equally and randomly than most people imagine. The difference is:

Some people see opportunities earlier.
Some people execute better.
Some people adapt to change faster.
Some people follow the right people and the right direction.

What appears to be “luck” is often a combination of: observation, preparation, execution, adaptability, and alignment.

The I Ching offers profound wisdom on these subjects through:

Hexagram 20 — Guan (Observation)
Hexagram 10 — Lü (Treading / Conduct)
Hexagram 17 — Sui (Following)

1. Maybe You Are Not Unlucky — You Simply Failed to See the Opportunity

There is an old saying: “Heaven is fair.”

In many cases, opportunities appear before almost everyone. However, sharper eyes recognize them first. People with broader vision act earlier. Those with deeper insight prepare sooner.

Meanwhile, others hesitate, overlook the signs, or misunderstand the situation. By the time they realize what happened, the opportunity has already been taken by someone else.

This is precisely the wisdom of Hexagram 20 — Guan (Observation).

Hexagram 20: Observation Creates Vision

The I Ching teaches that the quality of one’s life is deeply connected to the quality of one’s observation.

“人生高下，在于见地！见地在于观。”
“The height of one’s life depends on one’s vision, and vision depends on observation.”

Many people complain about bad luck while spending little time observing:

social trends,
human nature,
changing opportunities,
their own weaknesses,
or the timing of events.

Hexagram 20 repeatedly emphasizes the importance of observation and self-reflection.

From Superficial Observation to Deep Insight

The lower lines of Hexagram 20 criticize shallow thinking.

“童观，小人无咎，君子吝。”

Childish observation may be acceptable for beginners, but adults who continue to judge life superficially will suffer greatly.

Many people remain trapped because:

they only see appearances,
they react emotionally,
they fail to study patterns,
they do not think long-term.

Another line warns against narrow-minded curiosity:

“窥观，利女贞。”

Constantly peeking into gossip, scandals, or trivial matters weakens judgment. A person obsessed with distractions loses the ability to perceive real opportunities.

Observation Leads to Wise Decisions

Hexagram 20 also says:

“观我生，进退。”

Through observing life carefully, one learns when to advance and when to retreat.

Truly insightful people constantly analyze:

What is changing?
What is declining?
Where is the future heading?
What mistakes have others made?
What hidden opportunities exist?

In modern life, this means:

studying industries,
understanding technology shifts,
improving emotional intelligence,
learning from successful people,
and training one’s perception daily.

People who cultivate observation seem “lucky” because they consistently notice what others miss.

2. Sometimes the Opportunity Came — But You Could Not Hold It

Some people do recognize opportunities.

They begin enthusiastically. They start businesses, relationships, projects, or careers.

But halfway through, everything collapses.

Why?

Because recognizing opportunity is only half the battle. The other half is: execution ability.

This is the wisdom of Hexagram 10 — Lü (Treading).

Hexagram 10: Success Requires Courage and Precision

Hexagram 10 teaches people how to walk through danger carefully and successfully.

Opportunity alone does not guarantee success. One must also:

act carefully,
plan thoroughly,
manage risks,
control emotions,
and execute consistently.

Many Fail Because They Are Reckless

“履虎尾，愬愬，终吉。”

“Treading on the tiger’s tail” symbolizes entering dangerous situations.

Starting a business, investing money, changing careers, or pursuing dreams all involve risk.

The I Ching does not say: “Avoid all danger.”

Instead, it teaches:

Be courageous — but remain deeply cautious.

Fear itself is not weakness. Proper fear creates preparation. Preparation reduces mistakes.

Many people destroy opportunities because they:

rush blindly,
ignore details,
lack discipline,
fail to manage risks,
or become arrogant too early.

Execution Skill Creates “Luck”

“履道坦坦，幽人贞吉。”

Humble and careful people often succeed because they do not become careless.

They:

prepare before acting,
review mistakes afterward,
improve constantly,
and remain disciplined.

Over time, their abilities become stronger. They can hold opportunities instead of losing them.

Eventually, others call them “lucky.”

But their “luck” is actually:

observation + preparation + execution + persistence.

The Strongest People Respect Risk

“夬履，贞厉。”

Even righteous actions contain danger.

This is one of the deepest lessons of Hexagram 10:

Strong people do not underestimate danger. Wise people remain careful even when they are capable.

The person who survives and succeeds long-term is often not the boldest person, but the one who combines courage with caution.

3. Luck Changes — You Must Learn to Adapt and Follow the Right Path

Life constantly changes.

Positions change. Markets change. Relationships change. Fortune changes.

Sometimes people feel unlucky simply because they continue using outdated methods in a changed world.

This is the wisdom of Hexagram 17 — Sui (Following).

Hexagram 17: Follow the Right People and the Right Timing

Hexagram 17 teaches adaptability, alignment, and wise association.

One line says:

“官有渝，贞吉。出门交有功。”

Circumstances change. Therefore, one must go out, communicate, observe society, and reconnect with the world.

Many people become “unlucky” because they isolate themselves.

They stop learning.
They stop networking.
They stop adapting.
They stop understanding new realities.

But opportunities often come through:

new people,
new information,
new environments,
and changing trends.

Follow Great People, Not Toxic Ones

Hexagram 17 strongly emphasizes the importance of choosing who to follow.

“系丈夫，失小子。”

Follow capable, upright, wise people. Stay away from destructive and dishonest individuals.

Your environment shapes your destiny.

If you constantly associate with:

negative people,
lazy people,
dishonest people,
or destructive influences,

your opportunities naturally decline.

Another line warns:

“系小子，失丈夫。”

If you follow small-minded people, you lose connection with noble and capable people.

Good and bad influences cannot fully coexist.

Do Not Wait for Luck — Chase It

Hexagram 17 also teaches an important principle:

Do not merely wait for opportunity. Move toward it.

Many people pray for luck while remaining passive.

But the I Ching repeatedly teaches active participation in life:

seek opportunities,
follow meaningful paths,
connect with capable people,
adjust to changing conditions,
and keep moving forward.

Conclusion: Maybe Luck Is a Skill

From the perspective of the I Ching, many people are not truly “unlucky.”

Instead:

they failed to observe opportunities,
failed to execute properly,
failed to adapt to change,
or followed the wrong people and directions.

Hexagram 20 teaches: develop deeper observation.

Hexagram 10 teaches: strengthen execution and caution.

Hexagram 17 teaches: adapt actively and follow the right path.

Over time, people who cultivate these qualities appear increasingly lucky.

In reality, they have trained themselves to:

see opportunities earlier,
hold opportunities longer,
and move with change more wisely.

Perhaps true luck is not blind fate, but the result of wisdom, discipline, and alignment with reality.

Consult the I Ching here:

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