Serendipity is a beautiful minx

It gets its kicks out of catching you off guard. Surprising you in the wrong room. Turning up, uninvited, on a day off.

The minx is stolen glances, wrong turns, misdirected mail. Weeds and imperfection. Always appearing where it’s not supposed to be.

Not giving a stuff about timetables and strategy decks.

The minx makes you uncomfortable, because you like that comfortable feeling of control.

The security of moving to the predictable beat of meticulous plans.

But missing that satisfying ‘click’ when everything shifts into place …

That lovely moment of the clicking idea is unplannable. And so infuriatingly elusive.

But no schedule = lots of missed trains.

Seems like a paradox?

Here’s how to manage it —

It’s all about paying attention.

Both are good, serendipity and control. They can co-exist quite happily, in the same place at the same time.

You’ve just got to notice when each feels more important.

Keeping the lines around the field, but noticing the patterns where the ball bounces.

Noticing that will unlock some beautiful doors.

Georgian doorway with weed, Bloomsbury London