Success tends to look remarkably straightforward when viewed from the outside. A promotion, a business breakthrough, an unexpected opportunity or a significant achievement is often attributed to good fortune. The right place, at the right time. A lucky break, with everything seemingly falling effortlessly into place.

What often goes unnoticed is everything that happened beforehand. The years of preparation, additional responsibilities, difficult decisions, setbacks, sacrifices and countless hours spent developing the knowledge, skills and experience needed to seize an opportunity when it eventually appeared.

Like an iceberg, the visible achievement can represent only a fraction of what made it possible. Beneath the waterline sits a much greater mass of hard work, dedication, persistence, resilience and dogged determination that few people ever get to see.

Luck undoubtedly plays a part. Circumstances, timing and chance can all influence outcomes, and opportunities don't always arrive fairly or predictably. But preparation exponentially improves the chances of an opportunity being capitalised upon when it does arrive.

Sometimes what looks like luck is simply preparation meeting opportunity.