WTF is luck?
What actually is luck? Is our interpretation of luck different to another? Is luck something that happens to me, not to me? How did I get so lucky? How did they get so lucky?
Some people seem to have it all! A great career, booming business, lots of friends, good health, a great relationship and plenty of money. How did they get all that? Are they just ‘lucky’? The truth is, we can actually create the majority of luck that we experience. We can directly influence how many opportunities appear for us and how we make constructive use of them.
Throughout my life I observed that lucky people have specific behaviours and a mindset which cause them to encounter far more opportunities and advantages than others, I was curious. Can you train yourself to become a lucky person? Can luck be created by me for me?
As it happens there’s a formula for creating luck. Deepak Chopra is often quoted as saying that luck occurs when preparedness meets opportunity and to allow for this he asserts we need to access a great sense of self. I believe that this sense of self is driven by what we call emotional markers, they are the secret ingredients to create the most delicious pot of luck. If you are curious, empathetic, courageous, generous, kind and selfless it creates a state of mind that increases the likelihood of creating more luck!
Richard Wiseman in his book The Luck Factor writes “I discovered that being in the right place at the right time is actually all about being in the right state of mind… Lucky people increase their odds of chance encounters or experiences by interacting with a large number of people. And that makes perfect sense: Chance opportunities are a numbers game. The more people and perspectives in your sphere of reference, the more likely good insights and opportunities will combine.”
In short, be curious and interested, allow your emotional markers to shine! The person you least expect maybe the person to create your dream business with, your dream lover or unlock your dream career. Be fearless and courageous – be excited by what’s possible not held back by the safety of what you know. What you want is waiting for you if only you let go of what you think is keeping you alive. Luck can be elusive for those that are not curious and courageous.
Once you have packed away the fear, get busy, Do the work! Yep, as Deepak states, ‘be prepared’ Action breeds clarity, that is your motivation to go to the next level exploring new ideas, digging deep into what could be, building the connections, caring about the conversation that doesn’t serve you immediately. This creates energy and momentum towards opportunity. If you are both curious, brave, generous, and open, others wish to know you, work with you, listen to you. Those lucky breaks suddenly don’t seem so lucky just a part of a carefully curated enjoyable journey of discovery. When the love you wanted, the business opportunity you wanted, the promotion you wanted lands in your lap – lucky you? Not really, it’s a result of a carefully orchestrated plan – what a gift you achieved!
Of course, there is a solid dose of random chance that goes our way in life that is both good and bad. Our frame of reference around these events is what makes the difference. Is a terrible experience ‘bad luck’ or a learning opportunity preparing us for what’s next? Is finding a $50 note on the footpath a lucky chance event, or a sign for something more? How we respond to these events and how we frame them up effects our outlook and it’s our outlook that allows us to move forward with courage and curiosity to create more luck!
Believe it or not there is an action plan to luck creation – a secret recipe we work with at Purpose&Flow. There is a powerful connection between writing and generating luck, grab a journal, pen and let’s get started…
Create a vision – what is your vision of luck?
Every “lucky” person I know has clarity about what they want. They have a clear vision, understand their limiting beliefs and blockers that prevent them moving forward. A vision will help you be prepared to assess opportunity. You can’t create luck if you don’t know what it looks and feels like!
Have a clear purpose – why that vision of luck means something
Having a clear purpose about what you want in life and why, will quite simply determine how lucky you feel and how you share that luck. It’s the ‘why’ in determining whether an opportunity is a good one. It will be your compass guiding you to where you are best able to experience that luck.
Act – how am I going to create my luck?
Your very own secret sauce. “Lucky” people continually work hard with intention and purpose towards their vision. They take time preparing for what they need to do to reach their vision. They understand what is required, open their minds, and simply follow their action plans with grit and intention. Even if it’s a small milestone each day, acting towards your vision fuelled by your purpose is a sure-fire way to crank up that luck meter!
Frame your thoughts – Identify your limiting beliefs and self sabotage
Stop comparing yourself and allowing your negative thoughts to get in the way of your success. Instead of thinking, “I’m not lucky,” or “I couldn’t do that,” replace those thoughts with positive affirmations that will help bring you good luck. In your action plans write clear intentions, write how it feels to be sitting in the luck you wish to create and when creeping fear, negative thoughts or self-sabotage is apparent – revisit your vision, purpose, and plan. Remove the negativity from your thoughts and you’ll make room for more good luck than you’ve ever imagined. You are a creation of your thoughts.
Practice – Gratitude
When you practice being grateful for what you already have in your life, you will immediately realize you are already lucky in many ways. You notice the things that are already going well in your life and allows you to build on those things. Your natural optimism will see you attract luck – what you put out comes back. Celebrate the success of others! Understanding and being grateful for others achievements will help build that same potential within you. Luck simply feels better with others.
That’s it! 5 steps and you can create the luck you so deserve in life! Be optimistic and fearless– be prepared by acting towards your vision and purpose, be curious about the opportunities. Create the luck you wish for and when it arrives be grateful, celebrate and be confident it occurred by you not to you! You will indeed be f**king lucky!