If you want to catch a MLB game ball, you have to a) attend a game, b) pay attention to every ball hit, c) practice actually catching a ball, and (for some) bring a glove. If you're particularly savvy, you can even purchase tickets for seats in an area to where balls are commonly hit, and if you're determined, you can go to lots of games.

However, you're only getting that ball if it's hit in your direction. You can attend hundreds of games and still never have one hit close enough to catch.

While missing one or more preparation steps (e.g., attending a game) may rule out the possibility of catching a game ball, for every person who does catch one, there are dozens if not hundreds of people who prepare at least as much and still never do.

> repeated attempts / not giving up

Being able to afford that wouldn't be lucky, it would imply some sort of per-existing wealth or at least a solid support network.

That’s true, and the extent of how necessary that existing wealth and support network is depends on the kind of venture. For starting a business, absolutely. But there are other kinds of success that aren’t as entrepreneurial.

I was presenting it primarily through the lens of a mindset that is undaunted by failure and having the motivation to avoid giving up prematurely.

Successful writers and entertainers often share stories about how they were rejected dozens and dozens of times before finally getting noticed. I have friends who wanted to change careers by moving to a different industry and they must have submitted hundreds of job applications before they managed to get their junior level role.

...Which you have in the first place by being lucky in your birth.

Or that could be earned