The Power of Asking: How Ankur Warikoo Turned a Flight Delay into a Prize-Winning Trip

In a recent LinkedIn post, Ankur Warikoo shares a compelling personal anecdote to illustrate the power of taking chances and the importance of simply asking. The narrative, framed as proof that “luck happens to those who make it,” details an unexpected series of events that began with a flight delay in August 2014.

Warikoo recounts how a delayed flight from Seattle to Amsterdam resulted in a 24-hour layover. Instead of accepting the airline’s offer of a 50 euro food voucher to spend at the airport, he saw an opportunity. “I wasn’t spending 24 hours in the airport on 50 euros!” he states in his post.

Seizing an Unexpected Opportunity

Driven by a desire to make the most of the situation, Warikoo requested a 1-day transit visa for the Netherlands. To the surprise of the airline staff, he was serious and had a valid US visa, which facilitated the process. Within two hours, he was granted a 2-day visa and hotel accommodation.

This unexpected turn of events led Warikoo to explore Amsterdam. He took an Uber to Amsterdam Centraal, camera in hand, and captured the vibrant energy of the city. He notes the electric atmosphere, describing “people eating, dancing, laughing.” One particular photo resonated so strongly with him that he later framed it at home.

From Personal Moment to Photo Contest Glory

Fast forward to 2016, Warikoo saw a magazine advertisement for a Holland Tourism photo contest, with a trip to Amsterdam as the prize. He decided to submit three photos, including the one he had framed from his unexpected Amsterdam visit.

Warikoo admits he didn’t expect to win. “But I entered – just to honour the weird, beautiful chain of events that led to that photo,” he writes. This act of entering was not about guaranteed success, but about acknowledging and celebrating the serendipitous circumstances that created the moment.

“A month later, I saw the post. My name. First place!”

The post details his surprise and delight at winning first place. This victory, he explains, led to his first trip to Europe with his family in April 2017, visiting Amsterdam again.

The Underlying Lesson: Don’t Second-Guess Yourself

Warikoo emphasizes that this entire experience served as a powerful reminder not to second-guess oneself and to actively take chances. He argues that the worst that can happen when you take a chance is failure, but the potential upside can be transformative.

“If you don’t ask, the answer is always no!”

He concludes by encouraging his readers to seize opportunities, even when the odds seem slim. As Ankur Warikoo highlights, embracing the possibility of failure while remaining open to the potential for success can indeed “kickstart a path you had no idea you’d be on!” The core message underscores the proactive nature of creating one’s own luck through initiative and a willingness to ask for what might be possible.