Some things came from effort. Others depended on timing, opportunity or people I could not control. I want to take responsibility for my part without pretending I control the whole story.
Those ideas do not have to cancel each other out. You can recognise that timing and circumstances matter while still taking your own next step seriously. Effort is something to practise; it is not a promise that the world will deliver exactly what you want.
Take something you are working towards and make two lists. In the first, put actions you can take: prepare your application, improve a sample of your work, make a relevant introduction or follow up thoughtfully.
In the second, put things you cannot decide for other people: whether they hire you, reply or become interested in the project. This is not an excuse to stop trying. It helps you see where your effort belongs.
After an attempt, ask what was within your influence and what you would change next time. If there is feedback, examine it. If there is no answer, acknowledge that you do not know the full reason.
A disappointing result does not prove that effort is pointless. A good result does not prove that effort was the only factor. Keep the lesson specific enough to use. You do not control every opportunity, but you can decide how carefully you prepare and how you respond when one appears.
I return to that distinction when thinking about trusting the next step without seeing the whole path.