Make Your Own Luck

“Some people are just born lucky.”  I’m sure you’ve heard that before. . .But the truth is, 40% of what we think is pure chance is actually defined by the way we think. In other words, it’s possible to make your own luck!

According to a fascinating studyby British psychologist and author Richard Wiseman,lucky people generate good fortune four basic ways: They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities, they trust their intuition, they consistently have positive expectations, and they have a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good.

Instead of being stressed out or depressed by difficult situations, lucky people imagine how things could have been worse. In one of Wiseman’s interviews, a self-described “lucky” man arrived with his leg in a cast and explained how he had fallen down a flight of stairs. Wiseman asked him whether he still felt lucky and the man cheerfully explained that he felt luckier than ever—he could have broken his neck!

Technique of the week:Start making your own luck!

Be open to new experiences:  Worrying about (and focusing only on) reaching a specific goal can close you off to other possibilities. Having an open attitude and looking around for new opportunities can open you up to lucky chances.

Be positive: When you switch your attitude from complaining about denting your car to being grateful that it wasn't totaled, it becomes easier to identify new possibilities. 

Do something different: Routines can lead to ruts, whether it's always talking to the same people or eating the same food. Stepping outside your usual activities increases the likelihood of a lucky break.

Make it a LUCKY week!