John Krumboltz's Journey of Happenstance
Age 12
Chance Event
While reconnecting with a childhood friend over ping pong, at age 12 the friend brought out a tennis racket — a birthday gift for his sister. They started hitting tennis balls on the street like ping pong. This sparked his interest, leading him to proper courts and eventually onto the college varsity tennis team.
My Action
His tennis skills improved until he became a regular member of the college varsity tennis team.
💭 How did a boy who wanted to be a tennis player end up becoming a psychologist?
College Freshman
Chance Event
He enrolled at Coe College near home. At this small school, the psychology professor also served as the tennis coach. When it was time to choose a major, the only faculty member he felt comfortable talking to was the tennis coach. He asked, "What should I major in?" The coach replied, "Psychology, of course!" And so he chose psychology.
My Action
Though he didn't really know what psychology was, he trusted the coach's advice and chose it as his major. He took classes, read papers, and became deeply immersed.
💭 Being born in Iowa changed his entire life...
Before Graduation
Chance Event
Approaching graduation with no idea what to do next, he learned through Professor Clifro about a Columbia fellowship available only to people born in Iowa.
My Action
Despite the professor saying he probably wouldn't get in, he applied anyway — and was accepted.
💭 Standing in the wrong line determined his entire career...
Columbia Teachers College
Chance Event
Upon arriving at Columbia, he realized he needed to choose a specialty within psychology. He initially wanted Educational Psychology, so he went to Teachers College and stood in line — only to discover it was actually the registration line for Counseling.
My Action
"It wouldn't be bad to learn counseling so I can counsel myself and figure out what I want to be." He chose counseling.
How did Krumboltz turn Happenstance into Planned Happenstance?
See the Skill Analysis →